Alert: Agreement Nears on New Rules for Bow Owners

December 3, 2025

On Friday, December 5, the 185 global parties to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) will vote on final approval of new international rules for the pernambuco wood used for bows for stringed instruments. Under the proposal advanced today:

• Bows will continue to move free of permit requirements when crossing borders for performances, repairs, and other specific activities that do not result in a change of ownership.
• Starting in early February 2026, specialized permits will be required for all international sales of existing and new bows, requiring proof that the wood was harvested before the species went under international protection in 2007.
• Global governments and musical instrument stakeholders will partner on actions to strengthen legal compliance, develop an identifying system for available wood and bows, and support a sustainable future for the species.

Brazil–the only country in which pernambuco grows–had proposed listing the species at the highest level of CITES protections, in Appendix I of the treaty, which would have restricted travel and trade in most circumstances. In the past week, a working group of CITES Parties deliberated over the course of six meetings that entailed more than ten hours of debate to reach a solution that balances conservation concerns with ongoing cultural activity. Under the detailed policy proposal awaiting a final vote, the species will remain in Appendix II, providing flexibility and support for ongoing sales and use of bows.

Once approved, the new requirements for international sales will be the subject of detailed guidance issued by global governments. New rules will go into place within 90 days of this Friday’s vote. The U.S. delegation was a leading voice at the negotiations in support of a balanced solution and has pledged to help makers and bow owners understand how the new international rules for buying and selling bows will work, and which documents will be required for all existing bows.

Heather Noonan, the League of American Orchestras’ Vice President, Advocacy, played a leadership role throughout the unfolding debates in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and spoke today on behalf of global music stakeholders as the proposal was considered. In the lead-up and throughout the Conference of the Parties, the League partnered closely with the International Alliance of Violin and Bow Makers for Endangered Species, the American Federation of Musicians, International Federation of Musicians, the Association of British Orchestras, NAMM, and coordinated action by nearly 90 international music organizations that collaborated to inform the discussions. We are grateful to the Ibero-American Network of Symphony Orchestras (RIOS) and the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra for their deep partnership in pursuit of a policy solution, and to the many League members that have participated in the League’s ongoing Know Your Bow campaign.

Stay tuned. We will keep orchestras informed after a final vote is taken, and will support the essential next steps for navigating new rules for commerce and opportunities for continued action in support of conservation. Find more background on our Pernambuco Policy Resource page.