Official Luthiers Forum!

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) ????

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

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

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Canada

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

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www.handcraftinlay.com

I have been shipping to Canada, Switzerland and other locations over seas with no problems (yet!) .

Anyone else?

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Paul Bordeaux
http://www.bordeauxinlay.com

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!? ) 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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Canada