CITES & Wildlife Protection for Musicians

What is CITES?

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) is an international agreement that regulates cross-border trade in endangered animal and plant species. Over 180 countries have signed the agreement. CITES protects not only living animals and plants but also products made from protected species — and that includes many materials that have been used in instrument making for centuries.

For musicians, this means: if your instrument contains protected materials, you need the right documents for every border crossing outside the EU. Within the EU, simplified rules apply, but registration is still required.

Which Materials Are Affected?

The most important protected materials in instrument making:

• Rosewood (Dalbergia) — Since 2017, all Dalbergia species have been listed under CITES Appendix II. Affected: fingerboards and sides on guitars, bodies of clarinets, oboes, and other woodwinds, xylophone and marimba tone bars. Rosewood is by far the most common CITES material in instrument making.
• Ivory — CITES Appendix I (highest protection level, commercial trade prohibited). Affected: piano keys on older grand pianos, saddle and decorations on string instruments, old violin and cello bows with ivory frogs, flute mouthpieces. Particularly strictly controlled when entering the USA.
• Tortoiseshell (Hawksbill sea turtle) — CITES Appendix I. Affected: historical picks, inlays and decorations on guitars and mandolins, comb instruments. Today replaced by synthetic materials, but still common on older instruments.
• Mother of pearl — Some shell species are protected. Affected: inlays on guitars, accordion buttons, decorations. Control intensity is lower than for ivory or rosewood, but the risk exists.
• Pernambuco wood (Paubrasilia echinata) — Listed under CITES Appendix II since 2022. Affected: violin bows, viola bows, cello bows. Nearly all high-quality string bows are made from pernambuco.

How to Apply for a CITES Certificate

Contact your national CITES authority. In Germany, this is the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN); in the UK, it is APHA; in the USA, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The process:

1. Identify the material

   Check which protected materials your instrument contains. If in doubt, an instrument maker or the manufacturer can help. For older instruments, an expert appraisal may be needed.

2. Gather proof of origin

   Purchase receipt, invoice, inheritance certificate, or deed of gift. For older instruments: expert appraisal, expertise, or historical documentation. Photos of the instrument showing the protected materials.

3. Submit the application

   Online through your CITES authority's portal or by post. Fees: typically EUR 30 to 80, varying by country and certificate type. Processing time: 2 to 6 weeks.

4. Carry the certificate with you

   The original (or certified copy) belongs in your carry-on — not in checked luggage. You need to be able to present it at customs.

EU, USA, Asia: Different Enforcement Levels

CITES rules are international, but enforcement varies significantly. Within the EU, the Musical Instrument Certificate (MIC) offers a simplification: once registered, you can travel with your instrument for three years without additional permits. The MIC only applies within the EU, however.

The USA enforces most strictly. The Lacey Act goes beyond CITES and prohibits the import of products made from illegally harvested wood — regardless of whether you knew. Fines up to USD 250,000 are possible. When entering the USA, have all documents ready: CITES certificate, purchase receipt, instrument passport.

In Asia (especially China, Australia, and Japan), controls are also strict. Australia is known for high inspection rates on all organic materials. Without papers, your instrument will be held at the border.

Practical Tips

• Apply for the CITES certificate at least 8 weeks before your trip. Late applications cannot be expedited.
• Photograph your instrument from all sides and save the images on your phone. During inspections, a visual comparison helps.
• Always carry purchase receipts or invoices. Even copies can help if the original is missing.
• Register your instrument for the EU Musical Instrument Certificate if you travel regularly within Europe.
• Research the specific import rules of your destination country before every trip. Your country's CITES authority has up-to-date country lists.
• For ensembles and orchestras: create a master list of all instruments containing protected materials. This significantly speeds up customs clearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which instruments are affected by CITES?

Primarily instruments containing rosewood (Dalbergia) such as guitars, clarinets, and oboes, instruments with ivory such as old piano keys, violin bows, and flute mouthpieces, and instruments with tortoiseshell such as picks and inlays. Mother of pearl can also fall under protection. The most common cases: rosewood fingerboards on guitars and rosewood bodies on woodwind instruments.

How do I get a CITES certificate for my instrument?

In the EU, contact your national CITES authority (in Germany: the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, BfN; in the UK: APHA). You need: proof of legal origin (purchase receipt, invoice, inheritance certificate), photos of the instrument showing the protected materials, and the completed application form. Fees vary by country, typically EUR 30 to 80. Processing time is 2 to 6 weeks — apply well before your trip.

What happens if I get caught without papers at customs?

In the worst case, your instrument will be confiscated. Additionally, you face fines of several thousand euros or dollars. In the USA, penalties are particularly severe — the Lacey Act provides for fines up to USD 250,000. Even if you get the instrument back, the process can take weeks or months. The risk is real: instruments are regularly confiscated at airports, especially when entering the USA, Australia, and China.

What is the EU Musical Instrument Certificate (MIC)?

The MIC is a simplified travel certificate within the EU. It applies to pre-registered instruments containing protected materials and allows repeated entry and exit without applying for a new certificate each time. The MIC is valid for three years and is also applied for through your national CITES authority. Important: The MIC only applies within the EU — for travel to the USA, Asia, or other non-EU countries, you additionally need a CITES certificate.

Does CITES apply to very old instruments?

Yes, in principle. However, there are simplified regulations for instruments that were demonstrably manufactured before the respective CITES listing came into effect. You still need proof (expert appraisal, expertise, historical documentation). Especially with valuable old bows containing ivory or tortoiseshell, complete documentation is crucial. Without proof, the standard CITES rules apply.

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