Advice please - bringing a shell back into Australia

[Christo]

Hi there, I am a newbie to this site and would like your honest opinion.

I am fortunate enough to be travelling to Guinea at the end of this month for work purposes and i would love to bring back a shell. I know if i tried to bring one back with a skin this would cause problems with customs. So i will look for one without a skin.

So i was wondering, what would I be facing when i declare a wooden shell only to customs. Would there be any major hassels???..Also to add to this, i will be travelling back via Paris and Singapore, however when in Paris i will be there for two days......Would i also hit a wall in Paris?

Do you think this is all too hard, or is it a good opportunity to find a shell i like in person and deal with the hassels if there are any..

To let you know a little about myself, The djembe has given me back the inner spirit of music, beats and rhythem i had many years ago when i used to socially play kit drums. Having a family and a busy work life made playing the kit a bit difficult. Finding the djembe and learning a whole new world of music has fired up my passion for drumming. There is so much learning to be had on this site, and i appreciate any advise.

[bubudi]

as far as i know it's not a problem. people bring drum shells by the container load. the skin is another story...

[the kid]

Some of the aussie members will have advice for you on bringing it to Australia

I can't see you having any trouble especially in Paris. It's definitely worth a shot as you'll pick up the shell so cheap.

I'd get the rings made there too

Just contact your airline and ask them whats the advice with bringing a musical instrument

What i'd do is stick it in a big bag with my belongings and not declare it. After all it's simply a souvenir.

I brought drums through the uk and Spain and had no questions from customs at all

[Christo]

Thats good news. Hopefully if I have time i will find something. I will be spending more time in Sierra Leone. Wonder if they would have anything there....They should hey, being basically right next door....

[michi]

Bringing back a shell is no problem. I've done this twice before without any issues. Just don't try and bring back a shell with its skin. You will be forced to either remove the skin on arrival or to have the drum irradiated, which isn't cheap and destroys the skin just as effectively.

The one concern with wood items is live borers. Quarantine will visually inspect your shell for pin-prick holes indicating borer activity. If there aren't any holes, you can just take your shell with you. Even if there are live borers, it's not a big deal. They will make you leave the shell behind for fumigation. Two days later, you can pick it up and take it home. Cost is reasonable too. Something like $40 or so.

What i'd do is stick it in a big bag with my belongings and not declare it. After all it's simply a souvenir.

Don't even think about doing that. If you do not declare the shell on your quarantine form and are then found with it (which is likely, given the unusual shape), you risk a fine of up to $30,000. The Australian quarantine people are usually very nice and will go out of their way to help and provide advice as long as you are honest. That attitude changes dramatically if they find that you are trying to cheat. It's not worth it, and not necessary. Chances are that they will look at your shell for ten seconds and then just give it back to you.

Cheers,

Michi.

[Christo]

Thanks , thats great advise and exactly what i wanted to hear. Yes I would be honest and just deal with whatever happens. Did you have it in a suitcase? I really dont think it would fit in....Guessing i would buy a bag for it and just check it in with my luggage as a separate bag?
Thank you all for your comments. Much appreciated.

[bubudi]

Thats good news. Hopefully if I have time i will find something. I will be spending more time in Sierra Leone. Wonder if they would have anything there....They should hey, being basically right next door....

they most definitely will, but to be honest, it will be a hell of a lot easier getting a high quality shell in guinea. the drum industry is the most developed there, and members of this forum should be able to give you contacts for the best drum making workshop to go to, but you should post a new message for that question.

i agree with michi's advice. my experience with australian quarantine is that they are very strict with skins but they are usually nice and helpful people. customs may direct you to a separate bay where your shell will be inspected which might cause a slight delay.

by the way, what sort of work are you doing there?

[Christo]

Mining work...Sierra Leone has a heap of Rutile which on the commodity market is quite expensive. So mining companies are trying to maximise there product output.

[bubudi]

wow. you are very brave. those countries are notorious for having substandard conditions in the mines. what are the wages like there?

[michi]

Did you have it in a suitcase? I really dont think it would fit in....Guessing i would buy a bag for it and just check it in with my luggage as a separate bag?

I packed the shell into cardboard and taped it up. It was checked in with my luggage. No problems getting it back intact.

Cheers,

Michi.

[Christo]

I dont get dirty so to speak. We are a consulting firm which gives reccommendations and designs ways to improve output....Dont know about the wages..Wouldnt think it is anything like over here.

Thanks Michi for the tips re: packing. I hope I can find something in SL as I dont know how much time I will have in Guinea.

Cheers

[michi]

Thanks Michi for the tips re: packing. I hope I can find something in SL as I dont know how much time I will have in Guinea.

Cardboard and packing tape were easy to get even in Mali. I imagine they'll have it in Sierra Leone too

Cheers,

Michi.

[bubudi]

christo, i will ask friends if they know somewhere in sierra leone, but as i said, i really don't like your chances of finding anything near the quality of drums you can easily get in guinea, given a couple of good contacts.

[Christo]

haha...yeah i might have to take my own cardboard and tape

Thanks bubudi, that would be great if you can....much appreciated....