No not 100% sure. I tried to find the article on channel 5 but had no luck, it could well have been a local cop. I have a problem with "reasonably beleived" as to me that opens up a whole new can of worms. Although I must add in the cops defense it is nigh on impossible to memorize every law, particularly today with all these new fangaled laws coming out.
That's why I asked. As you know by now, most State Troopers are first and foremost traffic cops. They would be the most likely to best trained and familiar with auto and traffic laws. Whereas local cops are more trained on broader subjects (and generally even that training is only what their departments can afford)
What kind of documentation would one need to convince an ignorant customs official that a musical instrument was antique? I have an antique flute with Ivory parts, dating from the early 1800's an expert can date it from the makers mark, but would I need something like an official valuation certificate to prove it when travelling abroad?
To ba honest, if I had something that valuable I'd have such a certificate anyway. If for no other reason than insurance purposes. Think how disappointed you'd be if an airline lost it enroute or damaged it and the only recompense they'd pay was for "depreciated a secondhand musical instrument?" (like the depreciation on a used car?) And were I a customs agent I would care less about makers' marks or owners statement about antiquity. I'd certainly require whatever legal documentation the regs specify.
I was speaking to a friend of his last night and the pipes were dated and obviously old. But the customs official stated that he had the right to seize them as they'd been brought in and no matter what the date ivory was to be considered forfeit if brought in.
Was it a customs agent? I ask because your OP implied it was due to NY state law. Like you, I find it incredulous that Federal law wouldn't exempt antiques.
Whilst on the subject, I wonder if anyone ever encounters difficulties with countries that have strict laws on the import of alien species and organic materials whether an antler handled wooden walking stick would give them the heebie jeebies?
Wood can be difficult here if it's in a raw form; not so much for something painted or treated (such as a walking stick) I've also heard that Australia can be hard on wood imports but I have no 1st hand knowledge.
