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I have a cheap set listed on Ebay and a buyer in Australia is interested. I need the money but I don't want to go to jail for 20 years. Is it legal to ship there or should I refrain?

Thanks

Not worth the hassle, IMHO.
There are plenty of potential buyers here in the US.

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John

+1 on not worth it. It may get through and it may get confiscated.

Madagascar requested in 2011 that all of its ebony and rosewood species be listed on CITES Appendix III, meaning that commercial exports were restricted, but ONLY those originating from Madagascar. Provided your wood was legally obtained, there is no international restriction on its movement, so no issue in your exporting from the US.

Be aware, however, that Australia is very serious about biosecurity and the package will have to pass inspection by AQIS (Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service). They are looking for pests and diseases, which shouldn't be an issue with guitar sets, but both you and the buyer will need to be upfront about the contents of the shipment, and there will be inspection fees in Oz. Depending on the assessed value of the goods, there may be GST (but I expect your "cheap" set will be below their threshold).

New Zealand (my previous home base) has very similar import inspections as Australia. Over a 6-year period, I imported a variety of woods from a half-dozen countries, including Madagascar rosewood, while staying above the law. In latter years, NZ lowered their GST threshold, which meant that virtually every import incurred biosecurity inspection and customs clearance fees, as well as GST. Private individuals importing for personal use will have the clearance done by Customs staff -- no need for a broker. Ship by mail and not by courier.

I would add that because Madagascar rosewood looks a lot like Brazilian, that is going to be one of the problems particularly in raw form. I'd look for another buyer in the states.

Thanks all, an American bidder has placed a bid. Problem solved.