Together with a group of music stakeholders from around the world, Pearle* signed two statements to give input to the CITES Standing Committee, to be held online from the 5th to 7th of May.

As to the CITES Musical Instrument Certificate (MIC), music stakeholders have undertaken efforts to increase compliance with current permit requirements while simultaneously pursuing policy improvements that will alleviate unnecessary burdens.

This is essential in the context of international cultural activity and the need for professional musicians, ensembles, orchestras and music groups to travel with their musical instruments which have been legally crafted decades and even centuries ago.

A number of these instruments contain small amounts of ivory, shell, reptile skin, and rosewood or other materials regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).

In the statement on CITES MICs, music stakeholders therefore ask CITES parties to consider simplified procedures, a uniform implementation of the personal effects exemption, an electronic permit system, the extension of the validity period from three years to ten years and a permit exemption when instruments are transported by cargo under an ATA carnet.

As an observer at the CITES Annotations Working Group, Pearle together with international music stakeholders also signed a statement on Annotation #15. The annotation defines the exemption for travels with musical instruments, their parts and accessories containing rosewood (Dalbergia spp., exempt from Dalbergia nigra). The signatories endorse the revised annotation #15 which have substantially supported noncommercial and commercial cross-border movement of musical instruments, while relieving CITES management authorities of unnecessary permit burdens.

The signatories of the statements are:

C.F. Martin & Co.
Confederation of European Music Industries (CAFIM) Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
ForestBased Solutions
French Musical Instrument Organisation (CSFI)
International Association of Violin and Bow Makers (EILA)
International Wood Products Association
John Cruz Custom Guitars
League of American Orchestras
Madinter
National Association of Music Merchants
Paul Reed Smith
Pearle Live Performance Europe
Taylor Guitars