Shipping Ivory to the UK

S

scorsby9

Registered
I am getting a custom cue built but have not chosen inlays yet.
I was thinking of getting some ivory inlays but hear it could be dodgy shipping it. what would happen to my cue if customs decided to open it and what chance is there of customs opening my cue?

Thanks in advance.
 
You need to contact the UK customs.
There are different types of ivory, and if you can prove that the ivory was harvested before 1989, then a permit is not required.
Now, to be legal ivory, it must have a traceable CITIES Permit.
Older cues before 1989 should be exempt, it will largely depend on who gets to look at it when it goes into the UK.
Of course paper trails cost money.
For me , I just avoid ivory all together. I like the look, but not the hassle.
Neil
 
From UK customs online.

Endangered animals or plants including live
animals, birds and plants, or goods made from
them, such as jewellery, shoes, bags and belts, even
if they were openly on sale in the countries where
you bought them, unless you have a valid CITES
permit. This also includes caviar, ivory, coral, shells
and crocodile, alligator and snake skin taken from
endangered animals.
For more information and advice, go to
www.ukcites.gov.uk/default.asp or call the Global
Wildlife Licensing and Registration Service on
+44 (0)117 372 8749. Lines are open Monday to
Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Neil
 
Thanks Niel

Great info also anyone who has had bad experiences shipping ivory i would like to hear from them.

Thanks again
 
Two choices I think: don't bother with the ivory inlays or take the risk and don't declare it at all, anywhere.

Ship usps and the odds are very much on your side due to volume. Odds are even better if you don't declare true value because customs won't even look at at. Still a risk, though. But more one of loss or theft than dubious content.

That's why so many UK players buy on the secondhand market - the cues are already here. PM if you want any more detailed info.
 
Agents of custom not know to distinguish between ivory inlays or plastic. They only will saction you if you import ivory pieces, inlay is a part of cue only, I belive......I bought cues with ivory inlays or ivory ferrule and I not had problem ...in Spain
 
scorsby9 said:
I am getting a custom cue built but have not chosen inlays yet.
I was thinking of getting some ivory inlays but hear it could be dodgy shipping it. what would happen to my cue if customs decided to open it and what chance is there of customs opening my cue?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Why would you even want to risk it? The reality is that all over the world, they are cracking down on ivory and other imported materials. Just doesn't seem worth the risk to me, especially when you are having the cue made for you. I would suggest having the maker use Holly for your inlays...it will give pretty much the same look as ivory, but without the worry of getting the cue through both US and UK Customs. If the cue is seized by Customs, you could face a stiff fine AND it would be doubtful if you ever saw the cue at all.

Lisa
 
Good Question i had my cue shipped to me here in Iraq and it has lots of ivory. It came with no issues but not sure what Navy customs will say once i leave here with it. I wonder if i shoud contact Joss about it.
 
There is no difference when the Ivory was harvested OR what shape it is in, as far as the United States Government is concerned . If you are having a cue made in the United States & shipped ANYWHERE it is ILLEGAL. Ivory can not either leave our borders or come into our borders...JER
 
Thanks everyone.

I don't think i will bother with the ivory inlays it wouldn't be worth gambling $1500+ cue now would it.

Can anyone sugest any nice exotic woods for inlays. my butt sleeve is going to be lacewood (similar to amboyna burl). I was thinking of having ebony with snakewood on top.
 
scorsby9 said:
Thanks everyone.

I don't think i will bother with the ivory inlays it wouldn't be worth gambling $1500+ cue now would it.

Can anyone sugest any nice exotic woods for inlays. my butt sleeve is going to be lacewood (similar to amboyna burl). I was thinking of having ebony with snakewood on top.
Click to expand...

You can have HOLLY inlays, which is a white wood with vertually no grain & you would be hard pressed to tell the difference, between Ivory. I use a lot of Ivory in my cues, but don't believe in bucking heads with the US Government...JER
 
i have shipped ivory over seas many times with no problems. i declared value at 100$ or gift and i never had a loss. of course the buyer knows once it leaves the us its out of my hands. so buyer beware. if you feel uncomfortable about it go with the holly like jb said
 
dave sutton said:
i have shipped ivory over seas many times with no problems. i declared value at 100$ or gift and i never had a loss. of course the buyer knows once it leaves the us its out of my hands. so buyer beware. if you feel uncomfortable about it go with the holly like jb said
Click to expand...

How many times have you done this and have you done it recently in the UK?
 
Countless times but not in the last 2 years.

I dont buy cues anymore i buy equiptment now :wink::wink::wink:

i cant say what went where spec
 
conetip said:
You need to contact the UK customs.
There are different types of ivory, and if you can prove that the ivory was harvested before 1989, then a permit is not required.
Now, to be legal ivory, it must have a traceable CITIES Permit.
Older cues before 1989 should be exempt, it will largely depend on who gets to look at it when it goes into the UK.
Of course paper trails cost money.
For me , I just avoid ivory all together. I like the look, but not the hassle.
Neil
Click to expand...

Thank you for the email Conetip i just emailed Joss i should find out what they say about the traceable CITIES Permit. Now once i get this permit am i allowed to travel overseas with my cue ? I wonder why i havnt had any issues before with customs but then again my case would go inside those big green army duffle bags
 
Here is a paste from fish and wildlife. The US is different to the UK, regarding the date of when the ivory needed to be in the USA.
I am thinking that you are just better off not to mention that it has ivory in the cue.
But as I understand it, if you have a cities permit for the ivory used , it should not be confiscated.It is the Illegal ivory that they have a problem with.They are mainly looking for things like ivory balls etc from animals killed just for the ivory, and is not legally obtained.

Anyone planning to import any ivory or
ivory products into the United States
should contact the Service’s Offi ce of
Law Enforcement prior to importation.3
Additionally, anyone considering selling
or trading ivory within the United
States should contact the Offi ce of Law
Enforcement, as well as his or her State
wildlife agency. As more countries
implement similar outreach programs,
we hope that the demand for ivory will
drop, resulting in a decrease or end to
elephant poaching and an increase in
the populations of these ancient and
magnifi cent animals.
3 lawenforcement@fws.gov
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
International Affairs
Division of Management Authority
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 212
Arlington, VA 22203
703-358-2104 or 800-358-2401
703-358-2115/fax
mamagementauthority@fws.gov
http://www.fws.gov/international
http://www.fws.gov
January 2008
USFWS
 
scorsby9 said:
I am getting a custom cue built but have not chosen inlays yet.
I was thinking of getting some ivory inlays but hear it could be dodgy shipping it. what would happen to my cue if customs decided to open it and what chance is there of customs opening my cue?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Me personally I would just never say it was ivory. It can be a problem though. In South Florida not long ago they seized a multi million dollar yacht because it had ivory on board along with stuffed animals. The thing was hugh and cruised internationally. They released the boat after a few days but kept the the stuff they seized worth over a $100,000 dollars. Plus made them pay a $150,000 fine I believe.
So could you get in trouble, you bet you can if the wrong guys get ahold of it.

I just found the story.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/lo...al-skins-ivory-meeting-051309,0,2829631.story
 
So Dan From Joss Emailed me back and said that traveling from country to country with Ivory inlaid in cues should not Be a problem. He said he had never heard of any issues and Pointed out to me that Ralf Suqet's New Joss Cue Has tons of Ivory in it and he has not had any issue what so ever passing thru customs becuse its its personal property but is willing to write me a letter If i should need it.
 
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