Anyone wishing to bring a specimen of a protected species of animal or plant into GB or export from GB to the EU or NI will require a CITES document.
For some time now musicians with instruments that have certain endangered species products within them have been subject to stricter checks when crossing borders.
The MU has worked closely with its European Trade Union colleagues, the EU Commission, the UK trade organisations the ABO and MIA, and UK Government departments DEFRA and Animal Plant Health Authority APHA to minimise the effects of these checks on musicians. However, with the end of the Transition period approaching things are changing.
DEFRA have stated:
“Anyone wishing to bring a specimen of a protected species of animal or plant into GB or export from GB to the EU or NI will require a CITES document. Such documents must be applied for in advance of travel and inspected and endorsed (stamped) by Border Force at one of the 29 CITES points of entry and exit.”
You can also read the Government's specific information on how CITES applies to musical instruments, and find the APHA's contact details on their website.
For now, MICs are free to get, however it is not known how long this will continue.
Please note that currently only the designated ports of entry are where Border Force will verify your MIC. We understand that this list will be expanded to cover more domestic ports and a wider spread across the UK, however we have no information as to when that will be.