# Musician's bamboo flutes destroyed at U.S. customs **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 3, 2014, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-bamboo-flutes-destroyed-at-u-s-customs/677809 "2014-01-03T16:46:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-bamboo-flutes-destroyed-at-u-s-customs/677809/41 "2014-01-04T14:14:33Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Isn’t that the definition of getting totally screwed? This guy’s livelihood is in serious trouble. It is indeed. And it’s unfortunate he has chosen to make a living out of crafting and using an item from material (fresh imported Moroccan bamboo) that is illegal in the country he lives in. Some guy who absolutely must raise numerous strains of Ebola virus for his particular livelihood wouldn’t be getting much sympathy at all if Mr. Customs Man destroyed his raw materials upon entry to the country. Sorry bro, if bamboo flutes are so important to you I guess you’d better move to Morocco. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-bamboo-flutes-destroyed-at-u-s-customs/677809/42 "2014-01-04T14:44:10Z")
No need to go overboard with the snark. Many people make their living off of things not locally obtainable or not available without special authorizations. We’ve already discussed, the airside loss/theft/damage of valuable/fragile items is one thing, that risk could have been reduced through use of an insured courier service (though it should not be necessary). But another thing’s up with the bringing in fresh-cut bamboo: has he been able to do so before through the simple loophole of “customs does not actually inspect most bags”, thus remaining unaware that the authorities object to it? (serious Q: in his declaration form, did he report that he was bringing in plant products? IIRC they have a line item for that which should trigger questions and a possible extra screening); THAT was going to get him eventually. There must be some prodedural hoop-jumping available at DoA APHIS to get proper import permits for this purpose, rather than just pack it and hope CBE doesn’t pull you aside. ---
**Author:** ![Xema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9de053/32.png) [@Xema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xema)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-bamboo-flutes-destroyed-at-u-s-customs/677809/43 "2014-01-04T14:47:01Z")
> [@Peaton\_of\_peat](#): > > I’m too young to remember American elms and chestnuts Both are still around, albeit in much smaller numbers. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-bamboo-flutes-destroyed-at-u-s-customs/677809/44 "2014-01-06T06:09:54Z")
> [@TBG](#): > > If something is that important to you, you should ship it instead of taking it on a plane with you. Do people still not know this? Even if it wasn’t taken by customs or TSA or whoever, do you know how much stuff just gets flat out lost every year? The problem with shipping is that it can take a ridiculous amount of time. The last time I moved to the US, I brought over a single suitcase and had my brother ship over other clothing and household stuff; it was returned to him after having reached the US to ask for information such as “threads per inch” for the T-shirts… “uhhhh… it’s used clothing for personal use, it’s not a shipment for Zara!” ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-bamboo-flutes-destroyed-at-u-s-customs/677809/45 "2014-01-06T10:34:20Z")
I’m sorry but I’m right there with the others who have no sympathy for this man. You choose to make your livelihood on banned products, that’s your business. But I’m not going to feel sorry for you when it all goes tits up in the end. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-bamboo-flutes-destroyed-at-u-s-customs/677809/46 "2014-01-06T15:47:34Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > Yeah, always have a backup flute. Where…? In an ankle-holster? Hmmm… * * * _Coming Up Next on HBO:_ “Zamfir, Beat Flautist!” _trailer tag_ Announcer: NYC, 2014… “Hey, that’s my parking spot…!” Announcer: Quality of life crimes without Bloomberg escalate rapidly… “He turned Left on 42nd! Its after 8AM…!” Announcer: Public confidence plummets… “Stop! That’s my Latte…!” Announcer: One City Plaza needs a New breed of cop to fight this sort of crime… _cut to ally scene_ _punch_ _punch_ _knee-to-groin_ Zamfir: “Here you go, M’am… still has the foam on top. And, because you’re happy, I’m happy…” _makes a smiley face of cinnamon on top of the Latte_ Announcer: Zamfir! He’s Tough. He’s Kind. He’s a Barrista’s Barrista. Zamfir: “I know words won’t help after your traumatic shock, so I’m going to play ‘Greens Leaves’… just for you…” Announcer: He’s everything NYC residents expect of a 21st century police officer. _ **Adam Sandler. IS. Zamfir, Beat Flautist.** _ Announcer: Because Criminology isn’t just a Science. Its an Art. Zamfir: “…Or I could play [‘The Lonely Shepard…’](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC-qVU58Nk4). You’re call…” ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-bamboo-flutes-destroyed-at-u-s-customs/677809/47 "2014-01-06T15:57:24Z")
> [@Capt\_Kirk](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > No, but why would a harp player need to carry _any_ harmonicas? > > Harmonicas are AKA Mouth Harps, in music circles they are called Harp Players. > > **Capt** Thank you. I was imagining the other type of harp player. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-bamboo-flutes-destroyed-at-u-s-customs/677809/48 "2014-01-06T17:26:57Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > I’m sorry but I’m right there with the others who have no sympathy for this man. You choose to make your livelihood on banned products, that’s your business. But I’m not going to feel sorry for you when it all goes tits up in the end. His flutes are not banned, as the story makes clear. ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-bamboo-flutes-destroyed-at-u-s-customs/677809/49 "2014-01-06T19:50:21Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Indeed. Remember this incident: > > [United Breaks Guitars](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo) (YouTube) In addition to his viral video (over 13 million views now), this guy got [a book](http://www.davecarrollmusic.com/book/) out of the deal. I was only dimly aware of the incident, but I saw the book for a buck at a remainder store a month ago and bought it out of curiosity. Haven’t read it yet, though. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-bamboo-flutes-destroyed-at-u-s-customs/677809/50 "2014-01-06T20:27:10Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > His flutes are not banned, as the story makes clear. But the raw material he uses to make them is, which is what was destroyed. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2014, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-bamboo-flutes-destroyed-at-u-s-customs/677809/51 "2014-01-06T21:26:16Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > But the raw material he uses to make them is, which is what was destroyed. Along with the flutes. Done with this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/musicians-bamboo-flutes-destroyed-at-u-s-customs/677809.md?page=2)