So I heard recently from a couple of friends that it may be a problem sending wooden yoyos overseas. I’ve read some conflicting information about it and am unsure if it is OK. I never thought much about it considering they’re only very small wooden items made from wood that had to be suitable to be imported to Australia in the first place.
Just wondering if anyone knows offhand, in particular if a wooden yoyo is a prohibited item or needs a permit to be sent to the US. I know you guys probably aren’t necessarily customs experts, but you may know something helpful about it.
If there is a problem, I won’t be sending any overseas.
As a retailer we ship wooden yo-yos internationally all the time. I haven’t heard of any issues with shipping wooden items yet. On the other hand, I don’t think we have received any wooden yo-yos from international sources.
I know YYF imports the wing legends and multiple kendama companies import kendamas of all different wood varieties. I don’t think it should be an issue.
Items made from wood is usually not a problem. The US post office is more concerned with unmarked, uninspected packages that have plants that are still alive, soil, and or raw lumber.
I’m still not so sure about all this. My post office says it’s fine, other Australian wood working sites say it’s fine but I read on the US Customs site in regard to importing wood:
“A Timber and Timber Products Import Permit (PPQ form 585) must accompany each wood shipment. The permit will list the required treatment.”
That really does sound like no wood products can be posted to the US without a special permit.
I just really want to get some of my wooden fixed axles in hands. I’m getting some new tools to help open up new shape possibilities and hopefully greater quality finish and accuracy. If I can’t post these to the US then it would really suck.
It is really dependent on CITES. If the wood you are using is protected in any way by CITES. Something like Brazilian Rosewood, Madagascar Rosewood, a lot of Ebony, etc. They all require paper work. However, it kind of goes back to the whole “if you don’t get caught” thing. I doubt USPS is opening every package and checking what it is, and neither is customs I’d think.
It’s just that off chance that you are using a protected wood, and customs checks your package and sees that there is no paperwork for it, that is where problems begin…and fines.
