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Thread: moving my collection to Europe

  1. #1

    Default moving my collection to Europe

    Anybody have suggestions for moving my collection of about 12 mandolin family instruments to my new home in Italy from my old one in the USA?

  2. #2
    Pittsburgh Bill
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    Default Re: moving my collection to Europe

    Be aware of any CITES regulations and have your CITES Certificate if needed. Learn CITES regulations better than Customs Officers know them and have regulations in hand in the event that you run into an overly zealous agent.
    Good luck with your move!
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  4. #3

    Default Re: moving my collection to Europe

    Quote Originally Posted by Pittsburgh Bill View Post
    Be aware of any CITES regulations and have your CITES Certificate if needed. Learn CITES regulations better than Customs Officers know them and have regulations in hand in the event that you run into an overly zealous agent.
    Good luck with your move!
    Thanks for the advice. I have two instruments from the 1930's a Gibson A-0 and a National resonator mandolin. I have no idea if they have any thing requiring a CITES permit and though I have searched I can find nothing that tells me what species they contain nor where to get them tested. Is there a source that lists which instruments need to be permitted. To get the permit the first thing I need to know is what species I am getting the permit for, obviously since I don't know I can't begin. This has been an ongoing dilemma since I bought the Gibson in Paris about 7 years ago. Any suggestions much appreciated.

  5. #4
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    Default Re: moving my collection to Europe

    Assume that any rosewood in instruments of that age is Brazilian rosewood, and will require a CITES I permit.
    That should take care of any US export requirements.
    Italy may or may not have additional requirements that will have to be satisfied.
    If there is no Brazilian rosewood in any of your instruments, you will probably be okay.
    If you still have any paperwork left over from the Gibson, it will be helpful.
    If you cannot handle this yourself, you might want to call Vintage Instruments in Philly and see if they will take care of it for you.
    They would have to be paid for their services.

  6. #5
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: moving my collection to Europe

    Put them into storage in the States and each time you go back to the US for Christmas etc you pick up a mando and carry it with you on the plane back to Italy.
    No problem.
    You carry two mandos or more on the plane then it’s question time.

    Going from France to UK is quite different now with a ‘British’ passport that isn’t as European as it was.

  7. #6
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    Default Re: moving my collection to Europe

    I’ve always found that the best time to hit the French customs is during their three hour lunch break!

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  9. #7
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    Default Re: moving my collection to Europe

    Are you moving alone, or are other family members going with you? If you can carry two, so can all other family members. Take your favorites and bring the rest the next trip. Just a thought.
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    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: moving my collection to Europe

    I'd check Import Duties (Declarations to Italian Customs ) to keep from paying taxes on your own stuff ..

    the one at a time thing may help..
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  11. #9

    Default Re: moving my collection to Europe

    <spam>
    Last edited by Mandolin Cafe; Apr-25-2022 at 8:33am.

  12. #10
    Mandolingerer Bazz Jass's Avatar
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    Default Re: moving my collection to Europe

    Be aware also of mother of pearl inlays. I exported a Gibson F4 from the USA last year, and all the customs process was around getting a pearl permit (the wood content was fine- no rosewood). Here's the form that was involved:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    If it were me, I'd get a professional moving/shipping company involved. A company that has experience with all this and can take care of all the paperwork.

  13. #11
    Professional Dreamer journeybear's Avatar
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    Default Re: moving my collection to Europe

    My first thought at seeing your post was that you were wondering about the physical aspects of safely moving a large number of instruments such a great distance. I'm a bit surprised but impressed that so many people's first thoughts were about the legal aspects of the move and how knowledgeable they are on the subject.

    As to the physical move, I suggest you purchase a large steamer trunk, pack all the instruments in there, and transport them and yourself on a sea voyage. A couple of weeks at sea and you're there, and most likely with several stories to tell for the rest of your life.

    I'm also wondering why you say "about 12 instruments." I would think there would be an exact number, not an estimate.

    Anyway, buon viaggio!
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  14. #12

    Default Re: moving my collection to Europe

    When I worked for a state arts agency, we sometimes would arrange transportation for $ million dollar paintings, etc. They always came in a wooden crate. I don't know the cost, but maybe all instruments could fit into a large crate. I would assume it would be climate controlled, but probably need to ask.

    More recently, I've sold on eBay and once in a while I ship a guitar to Europe in a cardboard guitar box with proper packing, etc. Usually the cost is several hundred dollars for one instrument, so maybe sending as a group would be more cost effective.

    As far as the customs declaration, I try to be as brief and vague as possible. In other words, I write "used guitar and case" rather than "1942 Martin D-28, containing Brazilian rosewood." Make them do the research. Sometimes lunchtime or laziness prevails....

  15. #13
    Registered User Simon DS's Avatar
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    Default Re: moving my collection to Europe

    Jeff, if it costs a couple of hundred dollars to ship then it would be better to plan a trip to a ‘foreign’ music camp and then bring the mando back in the plane.

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  17. #14
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: moving my collection to Europe

    I have a feeling that the OP has already moved about a year and a half ago. I wonder how it went and how he did it. OTOH there is some good info here.
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