CITES - What every bass player should know

[s_wood]

Another great source of information about CITES and musical instrument is the League of American Orchestras.
https://americanorchestras.org/advo...s-material/protected-species-travel-tips.html

 

[Turnaround]

Another great source of information about CITES and musical instrument is the League of American Orchestras.
https://americanorchestras.org/advo...s-material/protected-species-travel-tips.html

A great resource. It is certainly within their best interests to be on top of any developments in this area. Their livelihood depends on it.

 

[jimi66]

This topic has arisen in different threads, but I thought it deserved a thread of its own, since it is so important to musical instrument makers and owners alike.

CITES is the Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species. The legislation from it is having a profound effect on instrument makers since it restricts their ability to source and use woods that are classified as "endangered". CITES is used to restrict the import and export of these endangered species - i.e. it legally prevents such species from crossing international boundaries.

But the problem is not just with manufacturers. If you own an instrument that has any part made from any of the species listed in CITES, and you cross an international boundary, your instrument may be seized. If you live outside the US and need service to your Martin guitar (they have a lifetime warranty to the original owner), should you send your instrument to Martin it will likely be confiscated at the border if it has any Brazilian rosewood.

There are a number of cited species used by instrument makers including some Cocobolo, a number of Rosewoods, Grenadillo, some Mahoganies, same Sandalwoods, some Yews an numerous others.

When crossing the border, your instrument may be examined and if any of the woods seem to be a designated species, the instrument will likely be seized. Part of the problem is that it's not always easy to identify a designated species from one that is not named in CITES. Cocobolo is a good example of such a wood. Cocobolo from Panama is restricted, but that from Mexico is not. They look almost identical. The only way to tell for sure is in a testing laboratory, and to do the testing a sample of the wood must be taken.

Recently some instruments were shipped to a retailer in Canada from a manufacturer in California. The top wood on these basses was Cocobolo, from Mexico - not from Panama. In order to ensure the instruments would not be confiscated at the border, the manufacturer had to prove to the authorities in the USA that Cocobolo was sourced from Mexico, and had to pay for US certification. The certificates for each instrument had to be include in the shipment. Despite that, the instruments were held at the Canadian border - because the included documentation were photocopies. The shipper had held the originals and sent the copies. Not good enough.

As far as I know there is no mechanism for having your instrument officially certified free of designated species under CITES. The instruments in the case above now have certification, but that's only because the manufacturer was able to prove the source of the materials. If you don't already have such certification from the manufacturer you may find it difficult to get. Even then it may not satisfy the officials at the border.

Here's a link to the USDA CITES Timber Species Manual. Perhaps it should be required reading for anyone who owns an instrument.

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Please add any information you have to this thread.

Excellent, I had no idea . Thank you

 

[Eddie Charles]

What will eventually happen to instruments made of pre-CITES banned materials? Well didn't the US burn IVORY relics a little while back? In the name of preventing future IVORY imports? And then the US attempted to reverse the IVORY import law this year. Go figure!

 

[Jeff Scott]

At the moment, it appears the the CITES signatories are treating pre-CITES material just like post-CITES material. And, that is a major cause for concern.

 

[markjazzbassist]

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getting press now, hopefully it will continue to and CITES people will find a way to change to policy for our betterment.

 

[David Sutkin]

Pretty interesting look into CITES

The Tree That Rocked The Music Industry

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Cool, thanks.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Interesting story. Too bad that luthiers have to wait a year until discussions take place that may help them.

 

[markjazzbassist]

Interesting story. Too bad that luthiers have to wait a year until discussions take place that may help them.

Better late than none at all

 

[BlueTalon]

The Statement of Principles regarding musical instruments that was linked in the story was quite interesting.

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[Albert Vickers]

Excellent, I had no idea . Thank you

Been in effect for more than a decade. Hence those terrible finger boards on the 5 string Squire Jazz. Good Luck!

 

[s_wood]

Been in effect for more than a decade. Hence those terrible finger boards on the 5 string Squire Jazz. Good Luck!

While CITES has been in effect since 1992, until recently the only wood species covered that is commonly used in basses was Brazilian rosewood harvested after 1992. Fender and Gibson both stopped using Brazilian rosewood for most instruments in the late 60's as it was getting expensive, and by the end of the last century Brazilian rosewood was only used as an extra-cost option by a few high-end bass makers (Fodera and Sadowsky come to mind). However, as of January 2017 ALL types of rosewood, bubinga and cocobolo are covered. That’s a big change, and that’s why there is a lot of noise about CITES recently.

 

[s_wood]

At the moment, it appears the the CITES signatories are treating pre-CITES material just like post-CITES material. And, that is a major cause for concern.

It is a huge problem, and a foreseeable one. How is the average customs inspector supposed to be able to look at a fingerboard and determine whether the rosewood is Brazilian (effective CITES date 1992) or Indian (effective CITES date 2017)? I don't fault the customs inspectors - most bass players can't tell the difference between Brazilian and Indian rosewood, and any way CITES covers more than 5000 animal species and 30,000 plant species, so by necessity if there is any real training in wood species identification it must be very superficial. And, worse yet, the European Union interprets CITES in such a way that ALL imports of Brazilian rosewood harvested before 1947 are banned. So, in the real world, there is no practical way to import a bass with a rosewood fingerboard into the EU unless you have appropriate paperwork that proves exactly what species of rosewood your bass contains and when the bass was made.

 

[ajkula66]

And, worse yet, the European Union interprets CITES in such a way that ALL imports of Brazilian rosewood harvested before 1947 are banned. So, in the real world, there is no practical way to import a bass with a rosewood fingerboard into the EU unless you have appropriate paperwork that proves exactly what species of rosewood your bass contains and when the bass was made.

Thank you for posting this bit of info that I was completely unaware of and which could've possibly landed me in hot water in the not-so-distant future.

 

[Turnaround]

It is a huge problem, and a foreseeable one. How is the average customs inspector supposed to be able to look at a fingerboard and determine whether the rosewood is Brazilian (effective CITES date 1992) or Indian (effective CITES date 2017)? I don't fault the customs inspectors - most bass players can't tell the difference between Brazilian and Indian rosewood, and any way CITES covers more than 5000 animal species and 30,000 plant species, so by necessity if there is any real training in wood species identification it must be very superficial. And, worse yet, the European Union interprets CITES in such a way that ALL imports of Brazilian rosewood harvested before 1947 are banned. So, in the real world, there is no practical way to import a bass with a rosewood fingerboard into the EU unless you have appropriate paperwork that proves exactly what species of rosewood your bass contains and when the bass was made.

So in practical terms, who would want to risk their instrument to the judgment of a customs inspector?

 

[ewe2]

Here in Australia, retailers are selling off anything remotely rosewood-connected at discount prices, I'm pretty sure this is my best chance to pick up a good fender or yamaha acoustic, and I'll have to content myself with maple necks for a while if I want a good cheap electric.

edit: Also the situation in Australia is a little more complicated: Invalid Link Removed it is explained that Australia won't be using an actual passport type because we use electronic clearance but the "relevant permits" must be applied for. I haven't found out how to do that, and it seems that the committee that is in charge of defining the legislative amendments is still working on it. But in any case vendors like Thomann.de refuse to export any problematic gear to Australia.

 

[BlueTalon]

Here in Australia, retailers are selling off anything remotely rosewood-connected at discount prices, I'm pretty sure this is my best chance to pick up a good fender or yamaha acoustic, and I'll have to content myself with maple necks for a while if I want a good cheap electric.

As long as you don't plan on traveling internationally with those instruments, it sounds like a great time to buy.

 

[Tom Bomb]

Also the situation in Australia is a little more complicated: #536 it is explained that Australia won't be using an actual passport type because we use electronic clearance but the "relevant permits" must be applied for. I haven't found out how to do that, and it seems that the committee that is in charge of defining the legislative amendments is still working on it. But in any case vendors like Thomann.de refuse to export any problematic gear to Australia.

I haven't tried but there seems to be a way through this maze Fingers crossed.

Below is some info. provided by a Japanese exporter, further iterated here: #536. One imagines that Thomann might be foolish not to follow similar principles - otherwise they'd be losing out. I may be mistaken - haven't tested the theory. Can't hurt to ask them. Dig a little deeper.

Following this, there's some detail from the Oz gov's CITES-related officialdom - Invalid Link Removed - where some hope still resides - I've emphasised some of the relevant administrivia.

CITES information:

By purchasing an instrument with parts made of any restricted species, you agree to the following.

1. We will apply for an export permit for the instrument when it has been sold as it will be issued in the name and address of the buyer *. It usually takes about 1 month for the authorities to process the application but can take longer. For your peace of mind, we will double check the condition before sending the application. Once we have sent the application, we do not accept cancellations, nor refund requests.

2. Some countries require the receiver to apply for an import license before the order can be shipped (this is in addition to the time frame stated above as all countries treat this differently). By purchasing the instrument, you confirm that you are aware of the rules and regulations and fees concerning your country.

3. In case our export application is rejected, we will cancel the order and issue a refund.

*According to Japanese law, the name and address must match the billing information on your PayPal account.

How to bring CITES plants and animals into and out of Australia

Australia strictly controls the international movement of wildlife, wildlife specimens and products made or derived from wildlife. This includes the movement of endangered species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The movement of wildlife (including products made or derived from wildlife) into and out of Australia is also commonly referred to as "importing" or "exporting".

Bringing CITES species into or out of Australia

1. If you are planning to bring plants or animals (or products made from plants or animals) into or out of Australia, you should first check if it is on the Invalid Link Removed.
2. If the plant or animal is on CITES list, look at the Invalid Link Removed and notation column for the species. This will help you to determine what restrictions may apply to the species. Restrictions include:
   • Appendix I species may only be brought into or out of Australia in exceptional circumstances or with a Invalid Link Removed.
   • Appendix II specimens (non–live) may be exported from Australia if they are from an Invalid Link Removed. A CITES Invalid Link Removed from Australia will be required.
   • You may import Appendix II specimens into Australia if you have permission to export these specimens from the CITES authority in the exporting country. In most cases specimens will also require an Australian CITES import permit. There are some exemptions for imports of Invalid Link Removed (non–live specimens).
3. If the plant or animal is alive you should also check the Invalid Link Removed to see whether further regulation or restrictions apply. You will also need to contact the Invalid Link Removed to check their restrictions and regulations.
4. If the plant or animal that you want to export out of Australia is an Australian native species, you should also check the Invalid Link Removed.
5. If the plant or animal is on any of the above lists, you may need a permit so that you can legally bring them into or out of Australia.
6. Read the information on commonly imported/exported CITES species (below) and information on applying for and using a Invalid Link Removed
7. Apply for a permit or Invalid Link Removed for more information.

See also:

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• Invalid Link Removed

For more information contact:

The Director
Wildlife Trade Regulation Section
Department of the Environment and Energy
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone: (02) 6274 1900
Facsimile: (02) 6274 1921
Email: [email protected]

 

[s_wood]

Because the CITES treaty specifically says that each member country is responsible for enforcement, and also has the option of imposing stricter rules than the treaty requires, if you are going to import, export or travel internationally with a bass you've got to prowl around on the websites of the agency or department responsible for CITES in each country to figure out what you need to do to avoid trouble.