About CITES and Dalbergia Wood

Since 1 January 2017 Dalbergia wood is under the protection of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora – CITES, Appendix II and the EG-regulation 338/97

This is comprising

  • Grenadilla wood (Dalbergia melanoxylon)
  • Cocobolo wood (Dalbergia retusa)
  • Violet wood (Dalbergia cearensis)

Püchner Oboes, Oboes d’amore and English horns are made from Dalbergia wood, mainly from selected Grenadilla wood (Dalberga melanoxylon) which has been seasoned for over 20 years. 

What does this mean for you as musician?

For just the ownership of a musical instrument made from Dalbergia wood you do not need any compliance documents.

Travelling in the EU

You do not need any documentation.

Travelling in NON-EU countries

For travelling in NON-EU countries a musical instrument containing Dalbergia is allowed without any documentation. This is valid on condition that the weight of the wood ranging under CITES II in all the instruments brought along does not exceed 10 kg. 

This applies for carrying those instruments of non-commercial reasons. Please note that even concert tours and Masterclasses – for which fees (cachet) are paid – are defined as non-commercial. 

Carrying musical instruments containing Dalbergia to NON-EU countries for non-commercial use, a maximum weight of in total 10 kg is free of requirements of documentation and does not need any permission.

Source: Bundesamt für Naturschutz

For private travels beyond the country’s border it is recommended to carry the invoice of your instrument purchase with you.

Purchase prior to 31 December 2016

An invoice issued prior to 31 December 2016 proves that your woodwind of Dalbergia is a “pre-convention” piece, purchased before CITES II came into force.

Purchase after 1 January 2017  

Upon a purchase after 1 January 2017 of a Püchner woodwind containing Dalbergia, Püchner issues a Certificate with all relevant information which is advisable to carry along at private, non-commercial travels abroad. 

For any questions, we are glad to be at your disposal. 
Yours J. Püchner Spezial-Holzblasinstrumentebau GmbH, Nauheim