Bringing Guitars to Canada From the States?

[gnarzan]

I was on craigslist and found this guy: https://bellingham.craigslist.org/msg/5985880923.html

Trans Green KE3 in pieces that needs a new trem, and maybe tuners. Has real Seymour Duncans, everything looks to be in good condition, and it comes with a hard case! I am a huge Kelly fan, and the trans green is a wicked finish. I think the price is a bit high with the work that needs to be done but first I need to find out if bringing it home will even be possible. I was wondering if anyone in Canada has had any troubles bringing guitars back across the boarder? The new C.I.T.E.S. Law will make things a lot more difficult too...

[BenoA]

A few years ago, I brought back a guitar from the US. I was there on a business trip and had no issues.

[kamanda]

Call the boarder and ask.

I have had 0 troubles bringing anything across the boarder, but the new CITIES law may affect you. Call and ask, they are usually pretty good about that sort of thing.

[daisp]

If you're carrying the guitar with you as a personal item CITES does not apply...you'll pay tax if it's over your personal exemption. The info can be found on the CITES web site or CBSA web site

[BenoA]

If you're carrying the guitar with you as a personal item CITES does not apply...you'll pay tax if it's over your personal exemption. The info can be found on the CITES web site or CBSA web site

Agreed!

[gnarzan]

Thanks for the replies! I will probably call the boarder to find out more. I did a bit of research and I was hoping having it as personal effects would be viable, but I came to the conclusion that only applies when you are leaving your home country. That would be because you won't be bringing the guitar back and are essentially exporting it. Even then it still seams like there is a risk they will seize it anyway...

[daisp]

If you are buying a guitar as a personal item (not intended for immediate re-sale) then it's your personal item...your conclusion is incorrect..but do what you think is best! I've already done this several times without issue

[gnarzan]

If you are buying a guitar as a personal item (not intended for immediate re-sale) then it's your personal item...your conclusion is incorrect..but do what you think is best! I've already done this several times without issue

Okay, I overlooked one section in the CITES Q&A article posted in another thread: http://www.jcfonline.com/threads/151...ighlight=CITES. Inquiry 43:

43. I rarely sell my guitars outside the United States, but I have a customer coming to the United
States to pick up a guitar in February. Will they be able to fly back to Japan with their
instrument?

If the individual travels to the United States and hand-carries the guitar, we will consider this a noncommercial
activity and therefore not subject to the CITES listing for rosewood, not including Brazilian
rosewood (Dalbergia nigra), which is listed in CITES Appendix I. Please advise your customer to confirm
with the Japanese CITES Authorities that they share this interpretation. If they require that the guitar be
accompanied by a CITES document, our office will be able to issue one, assuming that all legal
requirements are met

Here is the Q&A: https://www.fws.gov/international/pd...ember-2016.pdf

Thanks for the help. Going to call the border too at some point, but right now I don't have long distance calling.