Export restrictions

[Edgewise]

I saw recently on a website that genuine lignum vitae (guaiacum officinale) is listed on CITES and cannot be exported from the U.S.
Does anyone know if this applies to knife handles or just the raw wood?
Thanks.

[Froggyedge]

I'm no expert on this but normally the export limitations of CITES listed species apply to both the animals/plants and the products made from them.

You cannot export your elephant and neither the ivory handled knives you can make from it. So you better just take good care of it…

Lignum vitae is probably listed in Appendix II and the restrictions are not as strict as for those species listed in Appendix I. For Appendix II species export permits may be granted I believe for smaller quantities.