Why is rosewood restricted?

The restrictions under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

CITES (shorter name for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, also known as the Washington Convention) is a multilateral treaty to protect endangered plants and animals.

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CITES - Wikipedia

— commonly referred to as CITES — went into effect in 2017, after strong demand for high-end rosewood furniture in China led to conservation worries and violence in areas that produce the wood.

Why are rosewood guitars banned?

In January of 2017, the CITES convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in Geneva, Switzerland passed a ban on the use of rosewood and Bubinga as tonewoods, making it more difficult to ship or travel with musical instruments made with any amount of these endangered ...

What is the problem with rosewood?

Rosewood logging causes problems that go well beyond the removal of rare tree species. In West Africa, it can dry out forests and leave them vulnerable to fires and desertification.

Is rosewood illegal to own?

No, it is not illegal to buy or ship rosewood across international borders. However, specific regulations and laws must be followed to purchase or ship rosewood. To successfully import rosewood into the U.S., you will need an export certificate from the exporting country's CITES management authority.

Is rosewood restricted?

The good news is that if you own an item made of rosewood, you should be able to travel with it without issue. But the bad news is that if you are selling any type of rosewood (either as lumber, or as a finished product), you can no longer (legally) ship it out of your country.

5 Things You Need To Know About The New Rosewood Cites Laws

Is rosewood illegal in Australia?

If you are importing rosewood harvested after the listing date (2 January 2017), you will require a CITES (re) export permit from the exporting country and an Australian CITES import permit. These are valid for 6 months and can be issued for a single use import or for multiple imports.

Can rosewood be sold?

Selling Brazilian Rosewood

As can be seen in the article, most guitars made with Dalbergia Nigra can be sold, as long as they are sold with the correct documentation, where required. There are certain dates to take into account. – All instruments built before 3rd March 1947 are considered antique and are not affected.

Is rosewood still endangered?

Status as an endangered species

Rosewood is now protected worldwide.

Why do Chinese want rosewood?

Rosewood has long been used to make musical instruments and furniture but, partly because of its association with the revered Ming dynasty (1368-1644), it has become a status symbol for China's growing, increasingly affluent middle class.

Is rosewood banned in UK?

Within the UK it is illegal to advertise, trade, buy or sell a guitar containing Brazilian Rosewood without the instrument having an Article 10 certificate. This applies to dealers, retailers and private sales, eBay, Reverb, Facebook – basically anyone having a commercial interest or gain, every base is covered.

What guitar wood is illegal?

An international crackdown on illegal logging in tropical forests has ensnared the makers of some guitars and other musical instruments, whose top-end products require small amounts of rosewood, a material prized for its rich, multicolored grain and resonant sound.

What are rosewood regulations?

Musical instruments containing Brazilian rosewood may be transported across international borders only if they are: Only one border crossing is to take place, accompanied by the proper documentation from CITES; or a passport-like certificate is obtained for multiple border crossings.

Can I travel with a rosewood guitar?

Instrument-makers and musicians will likely be able to transport instruments containing rosewood around the world without a burdensome permit process. Update: The CITES convention officially adopted the musical instruments exemption on Wednesday.

Why is Brazilian rosewood illegal?

Why is Brazilian rosewood so heavily regulated? In 1967, Brazilian rosewood had become so popular for instruments and other wood products that the Brazilian government became concerned that this precious hardwood could be wiped out, so the government outlawed the export of rosewood logs.

When did guitar manufacturers stop using rosewood?

Brazilian rosewood was used freely in guitar manufacturing until the late 60s - on vintage Fender and Gibson fingerboards among many others and, of course, used as backs and sides on a great many of the most desirable, classic-era acoustic guitars, not least all the most valuable Martins.

How much is a rosewood tree worth?

This high demand for the wood, coupled with its growing rarity has resulted in prices soaring, with them exceeding $17,000 per ton a few years ago, which is ten times the cost of other tropical hardwood species. Thai rosewood, in particular, can reach values exceeding $50,000 per cubic meter.

What does rosewood smell like?

Rosewood is sometimes referred to as Bois-de-rose oil, the scent is sweet, woody, fruity, floral aroma. Blends well with lavender, orange, lemon, tangerine, sandalwood, cedarwood, and geranium.

What is the most popular use of rosewood?

Chopsticks, flooring, and guitars: what do these have in common? All have been made out of the rosewood tree; however, it was French perfumery that brought this aromatic Brazilian tree to stardom.

Can you import rosewood?

To import rosewood into the United States, you need to have an export certificate from the “CITES Management Authority” in the exporting country, and then have your import cleared by U.S. Customs, which uses guidelines developed from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Is rosewood illegal in Canada?

Rosewood specimens which enter Canada after January 2, 2017 must be accompanied by a CITES authorization from the exporting country. A copy of this authorization will need to accompany any requests for re-export of the rosewood.

What is the purpose of a rosewood tree?

It is used for furniture, plywood, veneer, decorative wood products, construction, musical instruments, and other wood products. The species is, however, slow-growing, and is threatened by overexploitation for its timber and by illegal logging.

Does rosewood grow in the US?

The rosewood tree is considered tropical, growing best in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 11, which includes areas that enjoy warm climates such as Hawaii. Despite its preference for tropical climes, the rosewood can tolerate temperatures down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can rosewood be planted?

Plant Indian rosewood trees in a full sun area or under high shade. These trees tolerate a vast range of soil types, from very dry to very wet. Provide your tree with adequate irrigation when you plant it, and keep it up until the roots are well established. Prune the tree into a well-formed, single leader tree.

How long does rosewood take to grow?

It grows at a slow pace and attains a height of 20 metres and a moderate girth of 200 centimetres over three to four decades.