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Travel with Instruments

Orchestra musicians traveling with instruments are subject to airline rules, Transportation Security Administration Requirements, and international customs endangered species rules.

In the links below, the League provides tips to help orchestra musicians navigate aviation rules, and important information about traveling with instruments made of protected species.

Endangered Species Material Read article

Travel with Instruments

Endangered Species Material

It is not uncommon for professional orchestra musicians, particularly string players, to perform with instruments that contain small amounts of ivory, tortoise shell, rosewood, and other species that are protected by domestic and international import/export restrictions. A great many of these musical instruments, while legally manufactured and purchased, are highly regulated and subject to very …
Endangered Species Material READ MORE

Travel with Instruments

Aviation Policy

When musicians travel, it is essential that musical instruments reach the final destination safely. The League advocates for uniform, reasonable, and reliable aviation policies that accommodate musical instruments as carry-on baggage or as properly handled checked items.

Advocacy

Artists from Abroad: Overview of Visa and Tax Essentials Webinar

The webinar walks you through the new features of the site while Jonathan and Robyn share their top tips for approaching the visa and tax procedures. For anyone who is unfamiliar with the newly revised site or how to engage foreign guest artists, this webinar is a great introduction.
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News: Travel with Instruments

  • Advocacy

    October 3, 2025

    Updates on Government Shutdown, Visas, Ticketing, and Protected Species

    In This Issue: Action: NEA Advocacy Continues Amid Government Shutdown; Visa Updates: Shutdown Impact Plus Major Processing Changes; Know Your Bow: CITES Policy Decisions Ahead; Ticket Fraud Policies Under FTC Review

  • Advocacy

    September 2, 2025

    Policy Action Ahead as Congress Returns to DC

    In This Issue: Action: Speaking Up for Music and Conservation; Support Arts in Education Week: September 14-20, 2025; Keeping Up Momentum on NEA Advocacy; Increased Visa Wait Time and Processing Issues

  • Advocacy

    July 8, 2025

    Major Updates on Tax Reform, Ticketing, and Much More

    In This Issue: Congress Passes Comprehensive Tax Reform; NEA Grants and Updates; Ticketing Reform Under Consideration by DOJ and FTC; News for Bow Owners: Protected Species Policy; and New Edition of Form for Artist Visa Petitions, And New Fees to Come

  • Advocacy

    June 6, 2025

    Travel Ban, Bipartisan NEA Action, Public Broadcasting Funding, and Protected Species

    In This Issue: Travel Ban and Partial Restrictions Issued by Administration; Bipartisan House Letter Calls for Reinstatement of NEA Grants; Public Media Funding Faces Serious Threat in Rescission Request; Protecting Species, Supporting Music

  • Advocacy

    February 24, 2025

    Policy Action Plan, NEA Updates, Bipartisan Nonprofit Support, and More

    In This Issue: Four Policy Actions You Can Take Today; Latest News on NEA Funding Requirements; New Data on Bipartisan Support for Nonprofit Sector; Protecting Species, Supporting Music

  • Advocacy

    December 17, 2024

    Urgent Year-End Policy Action and Updates

    In This Issue: Update! FTC Announces New Ticket Sales Rules and Congress Considers Action; Make Plans to Engage with Congress in 2025; Charitable Giving and Tax Reform; Act Now: How Well Do You Know Your Bow?; NEA Grant Guidelines for FY2026: Prepare Now; and International Artists Visa Assistance

  • Advocacy

    May 17, 2024

    Updates on Ticketing, Protected Species, NEA Grants and More

    In This Issue: Fixing Ticketing: Your Continued Advocacy is Needed, New! Essential Tips for Travel with Musical Instruments, Latest NEA Grant Awards and Opportunities, Artificial Intelligence Policy Roadmap Released in Senate, and New Overtime Rules and Resources

  • Advocacy

    June 2, 2023

    Latest News in Guidance for Bow Owners, NEA Grants, Charitable Giving Policy, and More

    In This Issue: League and International Partners Release "Know Your Bow" Pernambuco Guide; NEA Announces Second Round Grants for Arts Projects Recipients; Speak Up to Support the Charitable Act!; Shuttered Venue Grants Near Close-Out Phase; New Ticketing Rules Proposed at Federal Level

  • Advocacy

    November 28, 2022

    Global Negotiations Support Musical Instruments and Pernambuco Conservation

    Improvements for the movement of musical instruments across borders and new support for the conservation of Pernambuco wood won approval at the conclusion of two weeks of global negotiations in Panama City, Panama.

  • Advocacy

    November 21, 2022

    Post-Election Update and Peek at 2023

    In This Issue: Short-term Priorities for Year-End Legislating, Prepare for 2023 and Beyond, and Odds and Ends

See all Travel with Instruments News Items

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