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Embargo on shell ????
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=22439		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  TonyKarol [ Wed May 20, 2009 3:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Embargo on shell ????
Hi all,

I was just talking to a friend at a local wood shop, who sells to a lot of makers, and he said a maker has had a bass held up at US customs until they provide documentation on what the shell inlay is - the exact material, and where it came from (not just the supplier, but were the shells were harvested).

Anyone know anything about this restriction (Craig, Paul) ????
Author:  Shane Neifer [ Wed May 20, 2009 4:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Embargo on shell ????
Tony,

I have talked to Ted Thompson and David Webber about this in the past. They are both moving away from shell whenever possible because of the "red tape" involved in getting the guitars to their distributors in US. Each guitar has to have it's own $50 permit and the appropriate paperwork from the FDA or whatever other wildlife agency in the US to cross the border. So this is not a new requirement but like everything else it only becomes an issue when someone (the border inspectors) checks....

Shane
Author:  clavin [ Wed May 20, 2009 9:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Embargo on shell ????
Sounds like I heard of this before, but it's worse with woods.

I have no problems getting pearl, and have had no problems with shipping inside the US, but I guess it could happen internationally.

I have no facts to base it on. Maybe Duke of Pearl would know more. In fact I am certain of it.


Craig L
Author:  1bordeaux [ Thu May 21, 2009 3:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Embargo on shell ????
I have been shipping to Canada, Switzerland and other locations over seas with no problems (yet!) .

Anyone else?
Author:  Shane Neifer [ Thu May 21, 2009 4:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Embargo on shell ????
Paul,
I think this is a "oneway" issue. The problem only occurs when shipping products with shell from[b]Canada to[/b] the US. I think that the Canadian Government has enough confidence in the US Government (right or wrong!? beehive ) to ensure that the product entered the US originally from a legal and ethical source, but it appears that the US Government does not feel the same about Canada's due diligence. And what makes this even more frustrating is that the shell, in many cases, was bought originally from US suppliers such as Andy dePaule, the Duck and others but still requires this permitting and paperwork before it can sent back to the US.

Shane
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