FAQ's

ORDER-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS 

Are CITES included?

Yes tags are included with all finished skins. For documentation and additional paperwork for travel - depending on the availability & issuance of our CITES allotment for re-exportation at hand. All orders ship w/ documentation & other relevant licenses to comply with regulatory laws. You will be responsible for additional CITES fees apart from the included tags verifying our skins' genuine status. 

CITES tags are attached with all of our 100% sustainably sourced, trusted, & genuine high-quality finished exotic leathers. Our tannery's finished Crocodile, Alligator, Python, and Lizard and More— are CITES-certified, ensuring responsible trade and full legal compliance.
Wholesale and high-value orders may require additional documentation. Our team handles every step for your peace of mind, please be sure to contact us when free to discuss.

Your order is 100% real, traceable, and ethically sourced.

Our Custom Global CITES Logistics for Paperwork

While all of our 100% legal, real & genuine finished exotic skins come attached with tags, we understand international buyers outside of the USA/ASIA may require additional documentation for their lifestyles.

To save you a month of waiting, we utilize a global hub-and-spoke system.

  1. Local Stock: We maintain Grade I inventory in both the USA and Asia.
  2. Fast Fulfillment: Your leather is packed and shipped via Express Courier the moment you order.
  3. Paperwork Support: While your leather is in transit, we process your CITES documentation on a case-by-case basis and forward it to you for your permanent records.

Most exotic leather suppliers act as middlemen. They hold your order for 30–45 days while waiting for export permits and charge you a $400 "logistical fee" just to do the paperwork.

At Sunny Exotic, we’ve re-engineered the process:

  • Tannery-Direct Pricing: Because we are the source, you get Grade I luxury for the price others charge for Grade II/III.
  • Express-CITES Dispatch: We ship your skins immediately from our nearest regional hub (USA or Asia) so you can start your project now. Your official documentation follows on a case-by-case basis.
  • Zero Hidden Fees: We don’t believe in "logistics taxes." CITES handling is included in our service—even for orders under $10,000.

Specifications

  • Grade: Luxury Grade I / II (Minimal to no defects, high-yield surface)
  • Finish: Signature Matte (Soft, supple, and expertly tanned)
  • Thickness: 1.0 - 1.2mm (Perfect for wallets, bags, and footwear)
  • Stock Location: Ready to ship from USA and Asia hubs
  • Sourcing: 100% Sustainably Sourced & CITES Secured

Tags and/or Documents are included w/ every article from our USA & Asia ready stock. For wholesale orders please contact for more details. Thank you.

How do I choose the right size and grade of exotic skin?
Each product page has a guide explaining recommended choices for each type of project you're desiring to create. The size and grade of the skin depend on your final product. For larger items like handbags, we recommend 30cm+ skins and higher grades (I/II). For smaller products, like watch straps, smaller skins (29cm or below) and grades II/III are often ideal.

Do you offer wholesale services & custom color finishing?
Yes, please email or contact us via the message form directly for more information about requirements.

What is the minimum order quantity (M.O.Q.)?
For custom-finishing colors: 10 skins per color. For retail-quantity exotic skin orders, no M.O.Q. is required, subject to stock availability. For wholesale, please contact us directly.

What is the lead time for custom finishes?
We suggest providing a Pantone swatch for color matching. Retail quantities for custom finishes usually take around 1-2 weeks; wholesale orders may take 4 to 8 weeks. 

What are the payment terms for bulk orders?
A 30% deposit is required upfront, with the remaining 70% due before shipment. CITES certification is included with orders, and delivery typically takes 1-2 weeks.

GENERAL QUESTIONS (RETAIL)

What payment methods are accepted?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, PayPal, and bank transfers via secure checkout.

Which countries do you ship to, and what are the shipping costs and times?
We offer worldwide shipping direct from our Malaysian tannery or other worldwide offices depending on which hides are presently stocked inventory-wise per location, with options available at checkout. Delivery generally takes 7 business days, depending on ready finished stock and destination. Duties, taxes, and VAT may be collected from you as required by your country's rules, so please confirm 

What is your return policy?
Please refer to our Return Policy. Feel Free to contact us for more details 

Do you offer international shipping?
Yes, we ship internationally with CITES documentation. Contact us as required to most efficiently plan your desired shipment method due to CITES issuance times, etc. 

How can I take care of exotic leather products?
Regular cleaning with a soft brush or cloth is key. For deeper cleaning, use a leather conditioner like URAD to protect and restore the leather’s natural oils. Exotic leathers like crocodile, snake, and lizard require more frequent conditioning due to their delicate scales.

Do you offer printed catalogs?
No, we offer an online retail catalog and a wholesale CD catalog. Products are updated monthly.

Inside a Modern Exotic Leather Tannery Built for the World’s Finest Skins

In the global luxury market, true leadership begins long before a product is made. It begins at the tannery — where rare raw hides are transformed into enduring materials worthy of the world’s most demanding leather artisans, brands, and collectors.

At the highest level of the exotic leather trade, success is defined by three things:
skin integrity, provenance, and trust. Everything else follows.

The Foundation of Exotic Luxury: Skin Preservation First

Exotic leather is not interchangeable.
Each crocodilian, lizard, ostrich, or python skin carries its own structure, scale pattern, fiber density, and aging potential.

A world-class tannery understands this and works with the skin, not against it.

The most respected exotic tanneries focus on:

  • Preserving natural scale definition and symmetry

  • Maintaining consistent thickness without over-processing

  • Protecting tensile strength and long-term durability

  • Enhancing natural character instead of masking it

This is what separates collectible-grade skins from commodity leather.

Why CITES Compliance Is Non-Negotiable in Global Trade

In today’s luxury ecosystem, compliance is part of the product.

CITES certification is not a checkbox — it is a guarantee of legality, traceability, and ethical sourcing across borders. Serious buyers, customs authorities, and luxury houses demand full documentation, clear origin records, and transparent export pathways.

Established exotic tanneries build their operations around:

  • Verified CITES sourcing

  • Proper tagging and documentation

  • Export-ready compliance for international markets

  • Long-term sustainability over short-term volume

This is what allows skins to move confidently across the US, EU, Middle East, and Asia without friction or risk.

Precision Tanning for Luxury Applications

Luxury skins are not tanned for speed — they are tanned for performance and longevity.

Advanced exotic processing balances:

  • Flexibility for fine leatherwork

  • Strength for functional durability

  • Finishing that ages gracefully, not artificially

  • Color depth that enhances natural scale contrast

Whether destined for watch straps, footwear, bags, upholstery, or collectible leather goods, properly tanned exotic skins retain their value over time — a critical factor for brands and craftsmen who build reputations on quality.

Custom Selection, Grading, and Collector Expectations

High-end buyers do not shop by SKU alone.
They shop by cut, pattern flow, symmetry, and finish consistency.

Professional tanneries serving the global luxury market offer:

  • Front and back cuts with clear grading distinctions

  • Predictable width and thickness ranges

  • Honest representation of natural variation

  • Skins selected for specific applications

This level of transparency builds trust — especially with repeat buyers who plan collections, not impulse purchases.

Logistics, Reliability, and Global Reach

Luxury skins lose value if supply is unreliable.

The world’s leading exotic tanneries invest heavily in:

  • Secure packing and moisture-controlled shipping

  • Predictable dispatch timelines

  • Experience shipping to high-regulation countries

  • Clear communication before and after purchase

This operational excellence is what turns a tannery into a long-term supply partner, not just a vendor.

The Real Meaning of Global Exotic Leadership

Global leadership in exotic leather is not about being the loudest or cheapest.
It’s about being consistent, compliant, and trusted.

The strongest tanneries:

  • Protect the integrity of rare skins

  • Operate transparently within international law

  • Serve artisans, brands, and collectors equally well

  • Prioritize long-term value over short-term volume

In a market where materials define reputation, the tannery is the unseen signature behind every great leather piece.

Final Thoughts

Exotic leather is not simply a material — it is a responsibility.

From ethical sourcing to precise tanning, from documentation to delivery, every step determines whether a skin becomes a disposable product or a legacy material.

For brands, craftsmen, and collectors who understand this, choosing the right tannery is not a transaction — it is a partnership.

And in the global luxury market, partnerships built on integrity always outlast trends.

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