Comment Re:Tragic, but almost understandable ... (Score 2) 894
An important sentence was left out of the summary, which explained that customs mistook the instruments for pieces of bamboo.
Actually, US Customs does allow bamboo to be imported, per this page: Importing Bamboo into the US It says:
Is bamboo allowed to be imported to the US?
In general, bamboo that is not thoroughly dried and is therefore still capable of propagation is prohibited entry into the United States.
Bamboo that is thoroughly dried and split or cut lengthwise (rendering it incapable of propagation) will be inspected upon entry and released.
Unsplit dried bamboo canes/stakes/poles also are allowed entry into the United States after inspection: however, if the bamboo canes/stakes/poles are intended for garden or nursery use, the shipment must be fumigated (T404-d treatment extended to 24 hours) upon arrival at the U.S. port of entry.
Bamboo furniture, bamboo cloth, and other manufactured products made of bamboo do not require fumigation and will be released upon inspection.
For more information on Bamboo products, see Table 3-22 in the APHIS Miscellaneous and Processed Products Manual.
If you have further questions regarding requirements for importing agricultural products, please contact the USDA/APHIS Customer Support Center at (301) 851-2046.
His flutes should have been allowed as "unsplit dried bamboo canes".