... They are here for me to sell...
Nickie (and Jim), I hope you are getting these instruments legally. If not there can be severe consequences!!!
Rick is correct about Cocobolo being restricted under Cites. It has moved up to Appendix II, so anyone importing this wood or products made from it needs to have accompanying permits (from Nicaragua) showing it was harvested legally. A simple Lacey Act declaration is
not good enough in this case (you are at least importing with at least a Lacey Declaration, right?).
Appendix II lists species that are “not necessarily now threatened with extinction” but “may become so unless trade in specimens of such species is subject to strict regulation.” Appendix II items only require an
export permit and may be transported for commercial purposes--so long as the sale does not make the extinction of the species more likely.
While I never lived in Nicaragua, I spent more than a decade in that part of the world, and I can tell you that governments down there don't generally issue export permits for a shipment of only a few Ukuleles. If you've got the right paperwork, then it's all cool, but it would surprise me if you do, and don't let
anyone tell you it isn't required.
You, as the importer, are the liable party here!
We've avoided this whole issue by using only woods that are unrestricted in any way. All we have to do now is a simple Lacey Declaration. Rules here prevent a direct link to your own site, but there is a "Woods" page there with a "Learn More" link to an introduction to wood imports and their regulations.
There's a reason these woods are regulated - we stopped using Cocobolo a long time ago. It is under great pressure. But there's also the consequences of breaking the law to consider. In Jim's case, he can probably get by with the import of an individual instrument. Customs folks don't check every small shipment. As the quantities go up, however, the likelihood of an inspection does also. The penalties can go
way beyond confiscation of the instruments, and though 1/2 million dollars and jail is unlikely for such small amounts of contraband, why put yourselves at risk?