California Ban on Importing Alligator, Crocodile Parts on Hold

California officials can’t enforce a ban on importing crocodile and alligator parts for commercial use, a federal court in the state ruled, citing the burden on retailers and a likely conflict with federal endangered species law.

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California’s decision to grant a preliminary injunction came as a win for retail businesses and alligator farms who argued California Penal Code sections 653o and 653r would lead to lost sales, job eliminations, and inventory liquidations.

The law, which went into effect Jan. 1, makes the sale of alligator and crocodile products a misdemeanor publishable ...