Re: New restrictions on pearl and abalone into Canada
I imported a mandolin-banjo from the USA a few years ago (a private sale from the Cafe ads, and a very good experience). In that case, there were no issues with materials. However, customs duties were higher than I expected, and impossible to determine from the Canada Customs website, which, at that time, didn't list "musical instruments" as a category. I paid the duty and have no regrets, but be warned. As I understand, Canada Customs has no tolerance for restricted materials, even on antiques, the idea being to destroy the market for endangered species. I understand that American stores don't want to ship outside their country. The shipping is much more expensive than within a country, and they may have experienced problems such as: people not wanting to pay an unexpectedly-high duty; a customer not liking the instrument then wanting the dealer to pay twice for international shipping, and; tie-ups at Customs (your "express-shipped" mandolin might go through Customs in a day or in three months). For a new instrument, one possibility would be to order through a Canadian store that's used to importing instruments, and can give you a fixed price. Regarding used instruments, most of us seem to have good experiences with the Mandolin Cafe ads. Scott does a good job of eliminating the scam artists.
Robert Johnson's mother, describing blues musicians:
"I never did have no trouble with him until he got big enough to be round with bigger boys and off from home. Then he used to follow all these harp blowers, mandoleen (sic) and guitar players."
Lomax, Alan, The Land where The Blues Began, NY: Pantheon, 1993, p.14.
Bookmarks