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Updated August 25, 2025

The majority of fine bows used by musicians worldwide are made from Paubrasilia echinata (Pernambuco) wood. The quality of these bows is integral to the quality of music performed for listeners internationally. For this reason, musicians, bowmakers, performing arts organizations, and listening audiences value the Pernambuco tree as an essential resource. The music community supports conservation efforts that will ensure the long-term sustainability of this wood, and supports Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) action that will responsibly regulate trade in Pernambuco, while also protecting essential international cultural activity.

Protected Species Rules for Pernambuco Bows

The League of American Orchestras, in partnership with the American Federation of Musicians, International Alliance of Violin and Bow Makers for Endangered Species, International Federation of Musicians, Pearle* Live Performance Europe, NAMM, and other international music sector partners has released Know Your Bow: Tips for Owners and Users of Pernambuco Bows. This online guide will be continuously updated and offers essential information following the outcome of the 2022 policy decisions agreed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regarding the sustainability of the Brazilian wood used in most professional and advanced student bows for stringed instruments. While travel and trade with finished Pernambuco bows once outside of Brazil are not currently subject to CITES permit requirements, bow owners and users can use the guide to learn how to take important voluntary actions to support sustainable plantations of Pernambuco and conservation efforts, document basic facts about the wood used in their bows, and be informed consumers.

Bow makers and technicians also have guidance to support their documentation process.

CITES Policy Discussions Underway

The worldwide parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meet on a continuing basis to participate in the Conference of the Parties (CoP), where international governments agree to new policies that balance trade and conservation needs for plant and animal species. The League partners with international music organizations, conservation organizations, and global governmental representatives to seek solutions that protect the opportunities for travel and trade internationally with bows, while also supporting essential conservation measures. In 2007, CITES negotiators settled on adding the tree to the endangered species list, but applying the Appendix II listing only to “logs, sawn wood, veneer sheets…,” specifying that finished bows that are transported internationally would not be subject to CITES permit and certification requirements. At the 2022 CITES meeting, Pernambuco was placed under heightened restrictions, requiring that all Pernambuco wood, including finished bows, must be accompanied by a CITES permit the first time the wood is exported from Brazil, while exempting finished bows already outside of Brazil from the permit process.

In November 2025, the global parties to the CITES treaty will meet at the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20) to consider new policy proposals for worldwide implementation, including improvements to the CITES Musical Instruments Certificate, sustainability measures for the Pernambuco wood used in crafting many bows for stringed instruments, and other policy measures that can advance urgent conservation concerns while supporting international cultural activity with musical instruments. Brazil, the only country in which Pernambuco trees are grown, has introduced a proposal to list Pernambuco at the highest level of protection under CITES Appendix I, which would require extremely burdensome permit requirements for international travel with bows in use by many musicians, and place very tight restrictions on international sales in existing and new bows. The League is working with CITES and partners to seek policy solutions that advance essential conservation needs while supporting ongoing cultural activity.

Speaking Up

The League and other music stakeholders will once again be attending the CITES negotiations, where expert voices from those impacted by policies are welcomed. The governments of CITES parties also appreciate hearing directly from musicians and musical instrument makers in advance of making policy decisions. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently inviting public comments. In addition to the comments that will be filed by the League in partnership with other national organizations, individual orchestras and musicians can write to request U.S. support for a policy solution that will avoid applying a CITES permit requirement every time a musician with a bow travels internationally. To file comments, stakeholders within the U.S. can go to this Federal Register page and share your thoughts by September 17, 2025. 

International stakeholders are also taking action. Music stakeholders within Brazil have launched a change.org petition calling for common sense policies to protect the ongoing use of existing bows. Global bow makers have created a factsheet for musicians and a two-pager on the impact of CITES policies. The following list of links provides further background

Essential Conservation Efforts

It is important to note that the issue of conserving the Pernambuco tree remains. To preserve the ability of musicians to travel with their bows—and to sustain the long-term viability of this important natural resource—orchestras can participate in the conservation effort.

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