My CITES nightmare

Ravenous

lewism said:

although it’s seemingly geared more to people who want to import a Panda than a guitar.

I knew this story would descend into pandemonium.

(Nah, keep going, I'm getting into the story)

not_the_dj

(Insert Eastenders drum fill here)

LuttiS

And now a word from our sponsors - 

lewism

photek said:

It better be a vintage Gibson after all this

Does a 1998 Epiphone bolt-on Les Paul count?

Guitar_Slinger

Is this tale told in real time?

p90fool

Never mind that, tell us more about the panda. 

lewism

TL:DR version as some of you lack a sense of drama:
I’ve bought a guitar from the US, don’t see what the fuss about CITES is so far.

bodhi

lewism

Guitar_Slinger said:

Is this tale told in real time?

Well, it will be from now on. Just thought that with buying via Reverb, buying from the US and CITES all cropping up recently I might have something to offer in a slightly waffly way. Anyway, I’m about to put the kettle on for a cup of tea. Further updates when available.

adamm82

I think everyone is a little bit over excited with CITES so far. Are there any victims of it here?

I strolled back from the US with a guitar in October. Not that it was Cites infringing but nobody even looked to see what it type of guitar it was or even questioned me about it.

It went through the xray machine in it's bag and that was it. 

Panama_Jack666

I feel the end of the story was a bit of an anti-climax. I was hoping you'd end up in some massive bust up with border control and you'd be on one of the Americanised border patrol type tv shows screaming "I know my rights!"

Nonetheless, thanks for documenting the process. Seems straight forward enough.

thebreeze

I like it @lewism - that's the kind of experience we need to know about and beautifully told - thank you!

lewism

Panama_Jack666 said:

I feel the end of the story was a bit of an anti-climax. I was hoping you'd end up in some massive bust up with border control and you'd be on one of the Americanised border patrol type tv shows screaming "I know my rights!"

Nonetheless, thanks for documenting the process. Seems straight forward enough.

Think of it as a “Previously, on 24” recap for a series you’ve started watching halfway through.  I may still have my showdown but, given that it’s now in the hands of our Civil Service, it’s now more likely to involve passive aggressive emails about misplaced commas or the wrong colour of ink on a form.

Jez6345789

It seems amazing in 2017/2018 this whole thing is not electronic. Its the same for most CITES stuff I am sure there are groups of people with piles of paper trying to match up US to UK permit numbers.  I am sure Bristol will send it to Heathrow arrivals by carrier pigeon for customs to actually look at. It is the misguided notion of people in these organisations that more bureaucracy equals stronger enforcement.

Waiting for the next instalment 

pmbomb

when's the nightmare bit?

lewism

pmbomb said:

when's the nightmare bit?

Making you read my waffle! Like I said, the title’s slightly tongue in cheek. Yes, it’s taking a bit longer, I’ve had to fill out a form and pay £74 but it’s not exactly the end of the world.

lewism

Jez6345789 said:

It seems amazing in 2017/2018 this whole thing is not electronic. Its the same for most CITES stuff I am sure there are groups of people with piles of paper trying to match up US to UK permit numbers.  I am sure Bristol will send it to Heathrow arrivals by carrier pigeon for customs to actually look at. It is the misguided notion of people in these organisations that more bureaucracy equals stronger enforcement.

Waiting for the next instalment 

That’s partly a worry but if you read some posts (especially on certain US forums) you’d expect it to be smashed in front of you by uniformed thugs and I sincerely doubt it will be - it’s not being delivered by Parcelforce.

pmbomb

this is like that YourGuitarSage video "the single most important thing you need to learn guitar" then at the end of 20 minutes of waffle he says "patience".

lewism

pmbomb said:

this is like that YourGuitarSage video "the single most important thing you need to learn guitar" then at the end of 20 minutes of waffle he says "patience".

The NGD payoff when it arrives should be worth it.

Octafish

lewism said:

CHRISB50 said:

Unless I'm missing something. You're not much of a story teller.

You may be missing some patience, unless you really want to read a massive wall of text!

Paragraphs are your friend!