what do you lot make of this.

[liam_fnq]

Scroll down to International Shipping.

http://www.allenguitar.com/shipping.htm

Does this apply to Stew Mac etc.

[peter.coombe]

Yep, Randy Allen used to supply me with slotted fingerboards and has been doing so for around 15 years. No more, and I am disappointed because he has always been good value and good service. I have just been corresponding with him after trying to order some guitar fingerboard blanks because I believe what he has said is not correct as far as wood is concerned. It is certainly correct for shell, but wood should be ok so long as the value is below $2500 USD. All the other USA wood suppliers are still shipping wood as far as I know. I have just purchased some Spruce from John Preston and he imports wood from Europe so he would know the rules. However, Randy is worried about the risks and considered it was an unacceptable risk to his business so stopped international shipments. His call, but he does hate to have to do it and it is a significant hit to his business. He has my sympathy, this Lacey act stuff is a nightmare. Far more legal importing and exporting is being stopped than illegal.

Peter

[simonm]

Could be fedex is the problem here. I got an number of shipments from from the US via fedex and at this end (Germany) I always get hit with extra taxes because fedex refuses to read the shipping documentation. Specifically they ignore the fact that shipping is clearly listed on the invoice and then add about $100 "notional" shipping charge to the total on the invoice for the purposes of collecting sales tax which results in an additional $20 tax above what it should be. So maybe they are doing something strange on his end as well.

[DarwinStrings]

I didn't notice it with LMI, recently bought wood from them and all was as it has been for years. Have my fingers crossed that LMI doesn't change its wood policies.

Jim

[duh Padma]

Its the result of US Govt legislation..


log on to herehttp://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopi ... 01&t=31138read the thread...you'll get the idea of whats happening in the US of A.

[jeffhigh]

I'd like to see them apply these rules to interstate trade which it is supposed to apply to as well.
Then see how long it would last.

[peter.coombe]

Yes, things would get very interesting. The Lacey Acy does apply to interstate trade and I did read somewhere that USDA and US F&WL do intend to implement the same rules for interstate trade, but at the moment do not have the resources to do that so it is not being enforced for interstate trade. Personally I can hardly wait. A bit of their own medicine and maybe some of the powers that be might get the message on how badly this has been implemented.