Advice for string players visiting the USA

International tours have become a regular feature in the schedules of many musicians. The opportunity to play in the world’s finest concert halls and experience some local culture can more than compensate for the hard work in planning and the disruption to routine.

In the last few years, controls have become tighter over the movement of rare or endangered materials across international borders. Legal requirements for their import and export are subject to change at any time and often without notice. It is very important to ensure that you have the correct documentation prior to travel.

Generally, for musicians, travelling internationally does not require special certification, and as long you have adequate insurance to cover their instrument and belongings, you do not need anything else. However, a visit to the USA is a different matter, and specific documentation must be obtained.

For anyone planning to tour to the USA, I recommend firstly checking your insurance documents are up to date, and looking through any other paperwork to see if you have a letter from the maker or place of purchase detailing where and when the instrument or bow was made. If it was bought new, and the maker is still living, it may be possible to contact them directly and ask what materials they used, and whether they can write a letter listing them. This is a good first step because it costs nothing