April Update: Current State of Bow and Instrument Materials

There are two complex political situations that musicians and makers alike need to be aware of! Note: this information is not intended as legal advice. Please consult your lawyer or import broker about your specific situation.

In previous newsletters, we have focused extensively on the upcoming CITES Conference of the Parties (COP20 ) in November of 2025. This is still front and center in our minds in terms of bowmaking lobbying and outreach, but in this newsletter we need to focus on changes to the LACEY act that went into effect on December 1, 2024.

What is the LACEY act:

The Lacey Act is a US conservation law that requires importers to provide documentation and declarations that prove the legality of all natural resources they are importing.

What has changed:

On December 1, 2024, musical instrument imports (instruments, bows, and all bow and instrument materials, as well as many other new imports) are subject to the LACEY Act. The complete list of materials can be found HERE. This means that everyone needs documentation for new purchases. The LACEY Act is intended to help with the preservation of natural materials, and to also address human rights in areas where these materials are harvested. Ultimately, though, this means that everyone along the supply chain for these imported materials is responsible for making sure that the material abide by LACEY specifications. That means that musicians are just as liable as shops in making sure that their instruments and bows abide by LACEY Act specifications.

We’re doing our best to stay as on top of these changes, and are now providing LACEY documentation for all instruments and bows purchased through us. We were also thrilled to attend the AFVBM’s  “Lunch with Lacey”  presentations spearheaded by Lynn Armour Hannings, Brianna Goldberg, and Eben Bodach-Turner to stay at the forefront of these issues.

An important takeaway is that it’s very important to always ask for documentation whenever you buy imported goods, and to have a written record that you have requested this information.

The documentation looks like this: