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I seen some people talk about ordering EIR directly from India.

Is there any contacts and does the guys speak any English at all?

I figure it's better than going from India to the USA then to Taiwan... should be cheaper to ship from India to Taiwan.

Anything I need to look out for?

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

You can hit several suppliers quickly using google. I won't pick any out because I don't have any experience with them. People have warned that the wood coming from India is often very green (in terms of drying, not coloration.)

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

English is no problem in India (so long as a British accent doesn't throw you--but that is the real English, I guess). But they are very hazy on the concept of dry wood, as Jim says.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

So how long would it take to air dry guitar sets (assuming that they do send it in guitar sets and not something you have to resaw yourself) if you used a dehumidifier? I read from Allied Luthier website that they seems to send brazillian rosewood sets wet and they provide instructions on how you can dry it yourself. Overall how much per set can you get it for if you do order from India direct?

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I know that Shaji Joseph at Atheena Exports knows his business, but I do not know if he is still in business or if he ships small quantities. It is pretty difficult and too expensive to return wood if it turns out not to be the grade you want. The supply of logs in India is rapidly decreasing in quality, so an honest supplier might still send you something you do not like. I imported some years ago. In preparation, I contacted an Indian government representative and got some names. Those exporters, and some others I did not contact, sent some samples and photos. The wood I imported was good, but still not exactly what I had in mind. This was not from Atheena, which I was unaware of at the time. It was from Patel and brothers, which I heard has discontinued musical instrument wood, but I do not know for sure.

I have imported EIR a few times and can tell you some of the process. Once you find a dealer that will sell you the EIR you arrange shipping. You can use Cargo ( oversea ) or Air. In either case it will have to go through customs. You will have to pay a broker to allow entry into the US.
My last order of 100 sets set me back $800 in broker fees alone. Your paperwork will have include the origin of the material and fumigation papers. Then you have to be aware of tarrif costs and dock fees.
Once it gets to the states you have so many days to get the material cleared of customs. This is where the broker will step in. Once it gets cleared then it may be delivered. It isn't an easy process but it is one way you can get good material. Be sure you are dealing with suppliers that deal in luthier grade lumber.
good luck and keep us posted.
john hall

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

Many of the more reputable dealers will expect a $3,000 minimum order.

many of the dealers that will deal in small shipments are not as experienced as the major mills,

importing is not really a way to save money unless you are buying 100+ sets at least.

and beware of samples they very often do not represent the quality of wood you will recive in your shipment,
Joel.