By the insider accounts I've heard, this latest bust is basically about a clerical error and an interpretation that "fretboards" need to have slots in them whereas perhaps "fingerboards" do not. Then there is the issue of whether the pieces are being considered raw lumber or component parts, and that could even get down to the exact dimensions to which the fingerboards were cut. Too thick, and one interpretation is that they are lumber. Of course, if they are too thick, then that's because the Indian sawyers don't care too much about saving wood. I've seen raw fingerboard blanks at close to 1/2" thick...which then get final surfaced to about 1/4". The waste is horrific...and it's not Gibson's fault.
The very idea that our government is charged (under the Lacey Act) with interpreting and enforcing laws of foreign countries is simply absurd. Does this mean that we need to uphold Sharia law if raw materials come from Islamic countries?
Perhaps if some of the foreign aid we supplied was with the idea of renewing renewable resources we might do a lot better in this world. I'd happily pay 10% more for imported wood if that went into good forestry management and replanting of trees.
And, a question for you Aussies... How are things with Gunn's and Tasmania these days? I hope that's getting better.