Issues crossing International Boarders

[cke]

I have been noticing an increasing amount of comment about problems traveling with instruments due to the materials used on them.

Brazilian Rosewood now seems to be a No-No crossing boarders. And also ivories are causing even old instruments to be confiscated by Customers agents going or coming.

I may be living in Europe for a while and am now hesitant to take my Larrivee with abalone  inlays for fear that later it may present problem.  What other materials are or will become an issue?

Has anybody had experience with this? Any wisdom dealing with it?

[ducktrapper]

AFAIC, there's no wisdom involved. The whole situation is ridiculous. It's not like we're smuggling poached ivory or endangered species. When swat teams raid Gibson's factory we again see that the road to hell is paved with good intentions and a conspiracy of dunces. I guess you should be careful for your own sake. Logic won't protect you.   

[eded]

There is a lot of clear info on the customs website on what is allowed and what is restricted.  There is also info on what documentation is required/helpful for existing instruments.

There are a lot more rumors (often started and spread by people with political agendas) that actual cases of instruments confiscated.  The Gibson case has nothing to do with taking a personal instrument anywhere.

Ed

[ducktrapper]

Well, I guess I've been told.   

[L07 Shooting Star]

There is a lot of clear info on the customs website on what is allowed and what is restricted.  There is also info on what documentation is required/helpful for existing instruments.

There are a lot more rumors (often started and spread by people with political agendas) that actual cases of instruments confiscated.  The Gibson case has nothing to do with taking a personal instrument anywhere.

Ed

Ed, that's all well and good, but is it all just rumours in every case?  I don't know the answer to this but has anyone here had real issues with this?  All it takes is one over-zealous customs official or whatever they are called to seriously screw up someones perfectly innocent attempt to cross the border with a guitar.  There may be a lot more rumours than actual cases, but even if a few cases occur, that is too many.  There should be none in my opinion.

[eded]

Ed, that's all well and good, but is it all just rumours in every case?  I don't know the answer to this but has anyone here had real issues with this?  All it takes is one over-zealous customs official or whatever they are called to seriously screw up someones perfectly innocent attempt to cross the border with a guitar.  There may be a lot more rumours than actual cases, but even if a few cases occur, that is too many.  There should be none in my opinion.

I have never had an issue, but I have never carried an instrument over an international border.  No one I know who has crossed a border has had an issue.  It'll be interesting if there is any first hand experiences here on the forum.

IMO, if there are actual violations of treaties being caught, then those customs officials are not being over zealous.

Ed

[Danny]

Ed, that's all well and good, but is it all just rumours in every case?  I don't know the answer to this but has anyone here had real issues with this?  All it takes is one over-zealous customs official or whatever they are called to seriously screw up someones perfectly innocent attempt to cross the border with a guitar.  There may be a lot more rumours than actual cases, but even if a few cases occur, that is too many.  There should be none in my opinion.

Absolutely,  I would only take my least expensive guitar, with the least bling if I was to travel overseas. Call me paranoid if you like, but they will not get my better guitars. I'd be upset enough with them taking a beater.

[Danny]

  BTW One of my best friends is having trouble bringing his wife and son across the border from Mexico to Texas. He was born in Texas and his son could come with him but a border agent , in a bad mood took her Visa away from her.
 You really are subject to the person in charge when you cross a border.

Edit: Right after posting this my friend called to let me know they recieved some help and are now in Texas. This is after six months or more of waiting at a border town. I am so glad they made it.


Apologies to the OP.