Moving a piano Canada -> US

Gombessa

I'm a bystander/adviser in a very interesting development.

Some relatives are in the final stages of sentimental-value-restoring what i suspect is a very old piano - an _9ft straight-strung Broadwood (!!), which currently resides in Canada. They're looking to have it shipped to California when the resto is complete.

What should they be aware of in terms of import/customs etc. Is it not going to be a problem because it's going to be stashed in the back of a moving van? Or is there a whole CITES/customs regime they need to be prepared to deal with?

FWIW, the piano doesn't have any real ivory or rare hardwoods that I'm aware of...

Joseph-Fleetwood

So regarding it coming IN to the USA:

Does the piano LOOK like it has ivory or hardwoods on it? Because the thing is if it LOOKS like ivory but isn't, the customs officer may still block it. You should get proper certification. If it's cellulose that looks like ivory, get it certified. Perhaps a notarized document would be enough.

You don't need CITES for antique hardwoods. My piano is Brazilian rosewood and nobody ever asked. It's over 100 years old so nobody cared. The ivory needed the certification.

I dunno, I'm thinking about taking my piano back out of the USA along with myself to be perfectly honest

Gombessa

Joseph-Fleetwood

Hey, thanks for the info. I have a few pics and it looks exactly like a bunch of youtube vids you can find on 1850s Broadwood grands. Sectioned harpsichord-styled rim, bolted-on iron bars on the plate, painted wood-brown. 85 keys, straight strung.

The keytops were replaced (and weren't original before) so I assume they'll obviously be non-ivory. And the rim just looks like old, cracked wood veneer, nothing that to me stands out as exotic...

I'm not sure how Canada/US border inspection/customs works for moving vans. Do they have to pull into an inspection station with a manifest? Or is it just the drive-through toll booths regular passenger vehicles go through at the border? The piano shop said it would be no problem to have delivered, so I assume it's not as rigorous has having the pianos shipped in from overseas.

Joseph, are you thinking about moving out of the US? Back to Scotland?

Joseph-Fleetwood

If the right job came up in the United Kingdom I'd be on the next plane out. Yes.

Bellyman

I have friends that have moved... one to Thailand, one to Panama. Had at one time considered moving from the US but... it's home, and I'm getting old. More inclined to consider a move to another state should I feel the need, which can be significant.

Joseph-Fleetwood

It will probably come to that first, in our case. We certainly aren't welcome or particularly safe where we are. But honestly I don't want to fk around and find out. I'd rather get out while we can.