a VIew From The IndusTry
DOUG CHANDLER IS OWNER OF GUITAR XS LTD, THE OFFICIAL IMPORTER/ DISTRIBUTOR FOR COLLINGS GUITARS IN THE UK & EUROPE
Did the new CITES legislation take you by surprise? “We learned about the upcoming ruling soon after CITES’ summit in South Africa in September 2016. At the time I felt quite negative, imagining we were looking at another Brazilian rosewood situation [where it’s almost impossible to use that species now – Ed]. However, it has all gone way more smoothly than I could have imagined. We have had some shipments delayed in the first quarter or 2017, which isn’t great, but I’m confident it’ll be running smoothly very soon.”
Were there measures in place to help you deal with it, in terms of paperwork, process and so on? “I talked to DEFRA [UK Department For Environment, Food & Rural Affairs] right away and they pointed me at Form FED0172, which is the standard application form for permits to import CITES-listed flora and fauna into the EU. Part of the form requires presentation of the export permit from the supplier company – Collings, in our case – so we have been dependent on the US Fish And Wildlife Service, the
CITES management authority in the US, for the relevant export permit, which we received in the second week of February. Collings established a good relationship with USFWS early on and they are one of the few US companies – I think Martin and Taylor are others – that already have their recognised ‘Master File’, which is a complete inventory of all rosewood products acknowledged by USFWS and from which individual ‘Single Use’ permits are deducted as shipments containing rosewood are exported. It’s also tracked by guitar serial number, so in the event of an investigation everything should tally.”
How does it affect business and product offering for a low-volume, high-quality brand such as Collings in Europe? “I’ve been in this business a long time and there’s not much evidence to suggest that serious guitar players and enthusiasts will accept alternative materials any time soon! It’s likely that premium guitars will become even more so as the classic hardwoods disappear from mid-price instruments. On a less speculative point, the new rules do add £74 to the import cost of each
shipment of guitars, plus extra admin. It’s not a big deal for decent-sized shipments.
“It’s important to say that we are in favour of any moves to preserve threatened species, and keep in mind that the musical instrument industry is not the main target here. According to CITES, the move to list the Dalbergias on Appendix II is a consequence of the emerging middle classes in China developing a liking for rosewood furniture! And we hear that most mahoganies and ebony are next on the list.”