American ginseng was added to Appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) in 1975, due to concerns of the species being over-harvested as a consequence of international trade. Appendix II allows trade that is biologically sustainable and legal, and includes species that, although currently not threatened with extinction, may become so without trade controls. 

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In order for CITES-listed species to be exported from the U.S., the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) federal authorities must determine that the exports of wild American ginseng was legally harvested and will not be detrimental to the survival of the species.  Each year, the 19 states and one tribe that regulate the harvest of wild ginseng, report the previous year’s total harvest by county.  The USFWS then uses these data, plus findings of scientific research, and other biological and trade information, to determine whether the export will be detrimental on a state-to-state basis.