<p>A link to an article about the Musical Instrument Passport Program. Any of us with ivory- even just a bow tip- as part of an instrument risk confiscation and destruction of our property without this document in hand. Please note the length of time necessary to obtain the document and that it all has to be done via snail mail.</p>
<p>Thank you so much!! I was holding my breath last time I flew to an audition. Both my frog and pegs are ivory.
Am I the only one that finds the process very confusing though? I have no idea what type of ivory it is, and though I know the name of the bow maker that made my bow, I have no idea what the exact date is. The instrument is one of those unsigned Mirecourt instruments from the early 20th, we don’t even know what year it’s from. Both belonged to old teachers of mine, and I have no receipts or anything. How does one obtains all of that? </p>
<p>It’s going to be real nightmare for paperwork, I imagine. I’ve printed out part of the info below, but you’ll have to take
the bows and instrument to an appraiser to get the proper documentation. Here you go:</p>
<p>After downloading the permit application, which was scheduled to be available June 12 on the FWS website, applicants must obtain a signed statement from a qualified appraiser indicating that the materials were harvested before the species was listed on CITES or ESA. Obtaining approval should be easy for applicants, since CITES went into effect July 1, 1975, and most of the bows with tortoiseshell or ivory parts have survived since in the 19th century and are defined as antiques</p>
<p>Gradschoolbound1, I’ve been talking with dealers about this issue. The CITES rule is still in effect. I’m told that before the presidential order becomes law there is a period of discussion during which intensive lobbying will happen. Weirdly, musicians may be partnering with NRA types (because antique collectible guns have ivory and NRA is so powerful and rich.)</p>
<p>Also, good luck to any of us who own bows with ivory, even mastodon ivory, as it’s pretty much impossible to prove its provenance. The dealer did tell me that some customers with ivory frogs (my daughter also has one) buy a second ebony frog for international travel. As for the tips-- all bets are off, but technically the TSA could snap your bow’s tip off and ask questions later, is what I am told. </p>
<p>And gradschool-- so many of us are in the same boat you’re in. </p>
<p>Sent this to my D; thanks for the alert.</p>
<p>One would think that the TSA would be busy trying to check for potential terror threats. But no, let’s distract them with the stupid idea of destroying instruments and accessories. So stupid…</p>
<p>Thanks for this info. I have done a quick search in Canada on this issue. Canada is part of CITES but there is no reference to musical instruments. I wonder what the process is for Canadians? It does say on the link posted by Mezzo’sMama that it is an international program. Will have to ask around.</p>
<p>Canadians flying into the US would have cause for concern.</p>
<p>Yeah, that is what I am thinking. Thankfully nothing happened during all the trips for auditions. </p>
<p>This morning I emailed the Canadian government branch that deals with CITES about this issue and, amazingly, they have already replied. The Canadian government uses a Temporary Movement Certificate that is broader than just musical instruments (but apparently it gets used a lot for bagpipes - lol). Like the Musical Instrument Passport it is good for 3 years and getting a renewal is simple because they just clone the initial application. Anyway, she sent me the application (.pdf) with some specific instructions around ivory. She said they deal with the unknown age issue all the time. She did not mention a cost and there is no cost mentioned on the application. It takes 6-8 weeks to process.</p>
<p>If there are any Canadian CC members that need this form please pm me and I will email you the .pdf. </p>
<p>@BCVIOLINMOM- I’m pleased to hear that the Canadian government is being so helpful and wish that the US would watch and learn. There is a fee of $75 here. Would you please keep us posted as you go through the process?</p>
<p>Absolutely. This is directly from their email. Can’t say this will work in the US but for what it is worth…</p>
<p>A few tips:
• The exact species or type of ivory doesn’t matter, it will most likely be elephant ivory. The simplest thing to say is – Elephantidae spp. This covers the entire range of elephants.
• Describe the item that contains the ivory (or Brazilian Rosewood – which is the other exotic species being controlled - which may be present in string instruments). Describe where the ivory is – this helps the border agents verify that things match between the physical instrument and the passport description.
• Now the tricky part is to age the item. Most of these instruments are very old (older than 1975, when CITES came into action). The key is providing enough information to give an approximate date of manufacture… There are different sources you can tap in to get info to show age – manufacturer name, receipts, serial numbers, expert opinions/evaluations, insurance evaluation (they sometimes give an age), etc.
• Photos are always helpful
• Then finally we need to know how you got the instrument – purchase receipt, will, lease agreement, etc.</p>
<p>Just got another email from them (Canadian government branch dealing with CITES) - had to share.</p>
<p>“We are having soooo much fun with this. It will only get more interesting as time goes by and panic ensues 
At least we have a plan…and are ready to deal with this case. Otherwise, it would have been more than interesting!”</p>
<p>Canadian government officials use emoticons and teenage girl jargon? Actually, that is kind of refreshing.</p>
<p>Well this is definitely not normal. For a government agency to respond in 2 hours and have a sense of humor - this is something right out of the Twilight Zone!</p>
<p>Loving this!!
BTW, any thoughts on what to do if you’ve had your instrument and bows “forever”? Mine came from my teacher’s teacher, and both men passed away years ago.</p>
<p>Mezzo’sMama, I will let you know what happens when we go through it. My son’s bow came from his teacher and we have had 2 people look at it and they couldn’t even tell us for sure who the maker is (just that it is a really good bow). I think they did narrow it down to a country though. Anyway, it is definitely going to be an issue. However, the email from the government specifically noted that they are quite accustomed to dealing with situations like this. </p>
<p>Our youth orchestra has a tour to Canada scheduled this June…everyone going on a tour bus- will their instruments be searched? Hmmm…looks like an email to the tour planners may be in order?</p>