Details for CITES Rosewood Exemption Announced

The MU has learnt today that the CITES rosewood exemptions – which were agreed on at the last CITES meeting in Geneva – will take effect from 14 December 2019.

Published: 06 December 2019 | 12:00 AM Updated: 09 June 2021 | 11:15 AM

Photograph of a mandolin — Mandolins are one of the instruments that may contain rosewood. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Musical instruments with under 10kg of rosewood (Dalbergia), except Brazilian Rosewood (Dalbergia Nigra), can now be sold. There are further details on the Music Industries Association website.

Dalbergia Nigra remains on the CITES appendix I list with no exemptions. All other Rosewood species are exempt.

Further actions

The MU, alongside the ABO and the MIA, are calling for a blanket exemption for musical instruments should the government introduce further bans on ivory substitutes such as Mammoth.

Read advice and guidance on travelling with instruments.

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