ROSEWOOD IF I COULD
Could you clarify the position on using rosewood in acoustic guitars please? I understand that the law has changed and certain guitars may now be illegal. I don’t want to buy an illegal guitar that I cannot sell. Michael Schmidt, via email We’ve published a number of pieces on this Michael, but briefly… In January 2017, all species of ‘dalbergia’ (rosewood) were added to Appendix 2 of the CITES list of endangered species. As such the regulations surrounding its use and trade changed, in that any use of rosewood in a guitar requires a series of import and export permits. The permits are to help ensure the timber has been sourced and used legally, in accordance with CITES regulations and the legislation in different territories.
If we take Brazilian rosewood out of the equation (which is on Appendix 1 of the endangered species list), there’s really nothing to worry about as long as the guitar you buy has the relevant documentation to prove it has been imported legally into your home territory (we’re assuming it’s the EU). All of the major quality brands have this sorted. If you wanted to sell that guitar again within the EU you would not require any further documentation. If you wanted to export it outside of the EU you would need to obtain an export licence via DEFRA. Owning/using/ travelling with the guitar is no problem, only trading/selling/ importing/exporting outside of the EU is an issue.
If the UK leaves the EU and doesn’t secure a customs deal, this will all change again, potentially making it a giant pain for European importers to work from the UK. That is likely to mean higher prices, so now might be the time.