Know Your Bow: Tips for International Travel

July 30, 2026

IM  -  

Most advanced student and professional bows are made of Pernambuco wood from the threatened Pernambuco tree native to the Atlantic forests in Brazil. The AFM, in collaboration with League of American Orchestras and other organizations, has created a “Know Your Bow” campaign to help bow owners document basic facts about the wood used in their bows, be informed consumers, and support conservation efforts. Voluntary steps taken today may help avert future trade restrictions.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) treaty regulates international trade in animal and plant species. You may be aware that materials used in musical instruments, such as ivory, lizard skin, and Brazilian rosewood, are under CITES controls. CITES parties meet every two to three years at the Conference of Parties (CoP) to reevaluate controls species-by-species.

Since 2007, CITES has required that any Pernambuco wood materials exported from Brazil be legally and sustainably harvested and accompanied by CITES permits. As of 2023, CITES permits are also required for finished bows, musical instruments, and accessories leaving Brazil.

In December 2025, the global parties to CITES voted to approve new detailed policies that will maintain the Pernambuco listing status in Appendix II, providing flexibility and support for ongoing sales and use of bows. Under the new rules, bows will continue to move free of permit requirements when crossing international borders for performances, repairs, and other specific activities that do not result in a change in ownership.

As of March 5, 2026, specialized permits are required for all international sales of existing and new bows, requiring proof that the wood was harvested before the species went under the international protection in 2007.

Help spread the word about immediate action musicians can take to understand and document the material used in their instruments and bows to protect the ability of musicians to buy, sell, and travel with these tools, while also conserving threatened species. The Pernambuco tree (also known as Brazil wood) grows only in Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest and its populations are threatened.

To ensure your bow, instrument, or accessory has the proper documentation, we recommend you take these precautions:

• Document the species of wood and other material used;
• Understand the rules for the Pernambuco wood and other endangered species (see Know Your Bow QR code below);
• Support Pernambuco conservation organizations such as International Alliance of Bow Makers for Endangered Species and International Pernambuco Conservation Initiative.

Visit the updated League of American Orchestras “Know Your Bow” webpage for tips and links to the latest CITES policies and updated FAQs from US Fish and Wildlife and the European Union,

---