CITES really has no play within the USA, you will need to abide by regulations of the US Endangered species act (ESA), CITES is international and allows much activity that the US ESA will not allow.
If you purchase a species listed on the ESA as Endangered, but you purchase this animal in your home state and this animal was not purchased in interstate commerce then you will need no permit issued from USFWS, You should get a receipt or other such documentation from the seller which can later show to prove you purchased this animal legaly within your state.
If you have a legal ESA Endangered species then you later move to a differant state, you would not need a permit to bring this animal with you into your new home state, however in case you have some type of problem like I said have documentation that will prove this animal is and has been legaly owned by you, its also always a good idea to give USFWS a call and just run the situation by them saying you legaly own such ESA animal in such state and you are moving to a new state and this animal will be traveling with you, etc.. Or if you want to never have to worry about anything like this, just apply for a Captive Bred Wildlife Permit (CBWP) through the USFWS with this permit you will be able to move any species listed on the permit across state lines as you please, except this permit doesnt allow you to ship a animal in interstate sale except to another permit holder with that species listed on the permit.
As far as Importing a Endangered species into the USA, its very difficult, next to impossible actually, CITES will allow it but the ESA requires ESA permits that are VERY VERY hard to get approved for!! And then on top of that if you are talking about a American Crocodile this will be even harder and require additional requirments as it is a "native species"
If you do call USFWS Mike Carpentor is about the best and most most knowledgable person to speak with
Hope this helps!!
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Have a few questions about laws.
If I purchase a cities animal in my state OH (didn't cross state lines, this didn't need a permit) and I decide to move to NC or FL, do I need a cities permit to take it w/ me?
Different scenario: What if someone in Canada wanted to sell me an American Croc, acutus? If I got the appropriate permit, do I need additional ones to cross the border with it, being an international border vs. a state border? Are getting crocs into the US a big deal?
Thanks for your knowledge on this matter, as I don't want to lose an animal that I pay a lot for, or worse, spend time in the slammer. This is all hypothetical of course, but I'd rather ask now.
Greg
This is all hypothetical of course, but I'd rather ask now.