Presentation of the practical information sheet – Musicians and Pernambuco bows

As of 5 March 2026, the application of annotation #10 (Rev. CoP20) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will result in a revision of the rules applicable to bows made of pernambuco (Paubrasilia echinata), particularly for musicians who travel or sell their bows.

The attached practical information sheet aims to present in a simple manner the rules applicable when crossing borders, distinguishing between non-commercial movements, which concern the majority of musicians' travel, and commercial movements, which are subject to a stricter documentation regime.

1. Non-commercial travel by musicians

In the vast majority of situations, musicians travelling with their bows do so for non-commercial purposes. Annotation #10 (Rev. CoP20) provides that such movements may be carried out without a CITES certificate, under certain conditions.

Within the European Union, no CITES certificate is required to travel with a pernambuco bow.

Similarly, for non-commercial travel outside the European Union, no certificate is required, provided that the purpose of the trip is for personal or professional use not involving a commercial transaction.

This includes the following situations:

• paid and unpaid performance,
• personal use,
• display,
• loan,
• competition,
• teaching,
• appraisal, or
• repair.

In these cases, musicians must simply be able to justify the non-commercial purpose of their travel in the event of an inspection.
This provision aims to guarantee the movement of musicians and the dissemination of music, while maintaining the species protection framework provided for by CITES.

2. Commercial movements of bows

However, when a bow is the subject of a sale or commercial transaction, the rules are different.

Within the European Union, no CITES certificate is required for the sale of a pernambuco bow, as the species is listed in Annex B of European regulations (equivalent to CITES Appendix II).

However, for transactions involving a country outside the European Union, a CITES permit is required to export or import the bow.

This is the case, for example, for trade between France and third countries such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan or the United States.

3. The importance of keeping supporting documents

Even if you do not have any immediate plans to sell, it is strongly recommended that you keep or gather all documents that establish the status of the bow, including:

• an invoice or any document certifying ownership of the bow prior to 5 March 2026,
• a declaration of materials,
• a certificate of authenticity or proof of age.

These documents may be necessary to obtain a CITES certificate in the event of an international transaction.

4. Other protected materials

Finally, it should be noted that some bows may also contain other materials listed in the CITES appendices, such as ivory, tortoiseshell or whale baleen, which are subject to CITES permits.