I used to live in Japan and sold high end cues on the side. It was always easy to buy a cue from the US and ship it to Japan. However, shipping a cue from Japan back to the states was always risky (but possible), and quite a hassle. Nowdays, I would suggest way to much of a risk to make it worth while. There is such thing is legally obtained ivory, however that paperwork stays with the cuemaker, and doesn not go with the cue. So trying to prove that the ivory in your cue came from a batch that was legally obtained and documented is pretty much impossible. Now I know several pro players that play internationally take their cues overseas and return home with them often and usually without any hassle. As a matter of fact, when I made the move back to the US from Japan, I brought all my cues with me in my luggage without anybody even looking at them. However, if they had wanted to take a look, it is with the law, and if they suspect any ivory or other illegal by products, by law they can keep the cue and you're screwed.
For those of you that are so quick to slam those that prefer ivory I say don't talk with your mouth full. The process of 'harvesting' beef, pork, fish, and any other animal by product is equally as 'cruel' as the process of harvesting ivory. So I find it amusing that people can slam others for favoring ivory while they sit there behind theor pc monitor chomping down on chicarones or hamburgers.
First of all, because of the laws that are in place, the ivory you will find in cue makers from the United States will all be pre ban ivory that was obtained either before the ban was in place, or by legal means after the ban was in place. And I assure you all of us "savage" ivory lovers support the ivory ban and what the law is intended to accomplish.
The human race, simply because of how we've encroached and populated the world, has unfortunately been handed (by ourselves) the responsibility of managing and controling wildlife. And in some cases, that means harvesting. There are some species of wildlife that, were we to outlaw harvesting or hunting, their numbers would greatly exceed the resources needed to maintiain their healthy prosperity, and as result, many more numbers than harvesting, would end up dying as a result of starvations and disease.
Do some research before you start throwing stones. And I will always say to those that are against the use of wildlife by products..................Against the use of ivory? Then don't use it!
WORD!
