I know there's been a few threads on this forum about the recent changes in CITES regulations for movement of instruments with any rosewood overseas. I realise it's early doors since this has come in to force but wondered if anyone has had any experience with importing/exporting or travelling with their own guitar since this has come in. Was there a noticeable increase in interest in the instrument from customs and actual stringent checks on the documentation or does it seem to not be a noticeable issue since it is only newly imposed?
Any experience in this or the paperwork/timescales needed for it would be very welcome.
Comments
For importing/exporting within the EU again no issues - only when you start to send outside the EU will you need any additional CITES paperwork
Not sure if anyone has had any hassles at the red or green channel, but from the directive I'm seeing there should be no issues
Although there was no Rosewood on said guitar the customs forms were only marked "New Guitar in Case" no mention of Rosewood, but they're not to know, no delays, no issues, no trouble, no one cared!!
I think Ours & Overseas Customs have more to worry about than a slice of Rosewood on a fingerboard.
If they did check, the AES1500 has a rosewood fingerboard and i had no paperwork on me.
I think if you're just bringing one (or maybe two) guitars of your own they won't really bother, because afterall we are allowed to bring instruments with rosewood for personal use.
I'll be visiting my son in the US in the spring and may be looking around a bit.