Brazilian Holo Import Help!

flaco

Hi everyone,

This Holo popped up on Reverb the other day, and I quickly bought it. I've been on the hunt for one for a long time, and they don't come up for sale often. I didn't give much thought to the fact that the guitar was Brazilian, it was in Canada, and I'm in the US. The seller went to ship the guitar yesterday and realized it needed CITES paperwork. He was able to contact Bob Holo who said he didn't have the required information to get a CITES certificate for the guitar. Apparently, you can still apply for a CITES certificate, but I have no idea how long that will take or what the odds are that we'd be successful. Has anyone else ever been through something like this, and are there any suggestions on the best way to proceed?

Holo Selmer #23 2009 | Reverb

And here is where it was originally listed on Djangobooks: Bob Holo 2009 Selmer #520 (Brazilian Rosewood Back and Sides) with Hardshell Case - DjangoBooks.com

Thanks!

Jangle_Jamie

What a beautiful piece that's included in the Reverb listing - La Verdine , playing Promenade a Gavarnie.

Sorry I can't help with the shipping issue. Best of luck with this guitar.

flaco

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/120871#Comment_120871

oh yeah, that definitely helped sell the guitar a little faster!

Buco

He didn't ship it, the guitar is not in transit? I don't think there's any other option but to try to obtain a passport. Maybe ask Bob to write a letter of "good faith" to go with the application. That guitar will spend its lifetime in Canada otherwise. Apparently it's all at the discretion of the customs agent, even to confiscate the guitar. So it would be risky for him to bring it to the States as a traveler too. What a bummer. And the price isn't bad either.

flaco

https://www.djangobooks.com/forum/discussion/comment/120873#Comment_120873

Thanks for responding. The shipping company wouldn’t take it without CITES documentation, so we’re paused trying to figure out next steps.

pdg

How did the Canadian guy get it in the first place? Any chance he could legally "return" it back to the U.S., where it originated? Even (temporarily) back to Bob Holo?

billyshakes

I support the CITES restrictions and all, but doesn't it seem a little bass-ackwards that a guitar that was built in Oregon, USA, can't be imported BACK into the USA because of question about the wood provenance? Somehow, that wood made it into the USA and was crafted into a guitar here by a reputable US craftsman. Bob Holo is not some shady fly-by-night organization.

Furthermore, isn't it a US Citizen by birth and therefore has a right to return? Have you tried talking with your local CBP office? Explain that it was built in the US and see if they might give you a pre-clearance that you could give to the shipper? I would hope common sense might prevail a bit here.

Buco

This is a 2009 Holo. I remember reading about guitar passport introduction on the forum. Not sure when that was but I'm pretty sure it was after 2009. Guitar was probably sold and shipped to Canada before things became strict.

I don't think any logic or common sense will be accepted by the authorities. I think you either can provide the paperwork or the guitar stays in Canada. I certainly hope I'm wrong and you have it in your hands by Monday. But, when applying for the passport, common sense arguments could well be accepted. Especially accompanying letter from Bob.