This rule will revise the current regulations for the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) promulgated under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The purposes are to: (1) Increase protection for African elephants in response to the recent rise in international trade of live African elephants from range countries by establishing ESA permit requirements and enhancement standards for trade in live African elephants, (2) clarify the existing enhancement requirement during our evaluation of the application for a permit to import African elephant sport-hunted trophies, and (3) incorporate a Party’s designation under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) National Legislation Project into the decisionmaking process for the import of live African elephants, African elephant sport-hunted trophies, and African elephant parts and products. FWS conducted a virtual public hearing on January 5, 2023. The virtual public hearing was conducted in multiple languages, and several foreign countries expressed comments. The comment period for the proposed rule was extended due to comments expressed during the virtual public hearing. In addition to the public hearing, the agency has conducted several calls with foreign countries that have a stake in the proposed rulemaking.