Desi might be able to arrange getting the pipes carried to the states. He comes over occassionally and also has a business assosiate here in the states that’s been known to go back and forth.
Customs is sometimes nothing at all and sometimes your worst nightmare. I’ve had both experiences.
Doc
The climate issue is a small one I think compared to the potential problems in shipping and time delays. Just know EXACTLY what you’re getting yourself into beforehand. You might make out ok…but the deck is most certainly NOT stacked in your favor on this one mate. Sorry.
I know that maker 
and for the record it was 2-day express delivery, and - fortunately - the pipes have only been stuck in US Customs for an additional week so far. Indications are that the total transit time may end up being 2 weeks or more. (Neither maker nor customer is very pleased about this)
Still, I think the concerns about buying transatlantically are more important when you’re just starting out. By the time you know your way around a chanter and have formed a clear idea of the sound/etc. you’re after, you should be able to do your own basic maintenance, diagnostics, and minor reed tweaks even if you don’t make your own reeds. A good set of reeds, properly adjusted, can (and probably should) last for years.
In any case, picking up a set of pipes in person is by far the better idea - it means you get face-to-face time with the maker, get to see what the maker expects and vice-versa, maker has the opportunity to make little adjustments, possibly, to suit you. For those outside of Europe the usual strategy (whether the maker is located in Ireland or elsewhere in Europe) is to combine the trip with a pilgrimage to WCSS or another piping event in Ireland, which is a good idea for anyone playing Irish traditional music.
Similarly, if an experienced piper in Ireland or elsewhere in Europe wants to purchase a full set of pipes from a specific US maker, I think the location of the maker is only one aspect to consider. For such a long term investment, I am not even sure the fluctuating exchange rates play a major role other than increasing/decreasing the financial pain - possibly the cost of airfare is a bigger issue.
Bill
If there is a need for a US associate, he is obviously shipped numorous things to the US. I find it hard to believe that they dont have a system in place because loosing products to customs is substantially bad for business.
I agree with fancy piper. I agree with him because he is right.
" Its the reeds. Its the reeds.Its the reeds.Its the reeds.Its the reeds."
people have told me that they didnt like seery pipes and didnt recomend them, and the reasons they gave me were ALL due to the reed changing climate or not being to their specific taste. I intend to make my own reeds. his pipes are perfectly in tune and beautiful looking and when they arrive they will be flat and buzzy as all hell, BECAUSE OF THE REED not the pipes.
Did i mention that the waiting lists in the states are rediculous?
Tim britton-2 years
Gallagher-2.5 years
Kirk lynch-1.5 years
I do appreciate the feedback.
Unfortunately this situation is only too common and paying for express delivery does not always work - a large four regulator set sent express delivery by UK Parcelforce to France spent the first month in an alpine warehouse - really good for the reeds all that nice cool fresh air
Have had UPS loose sets for several weeks on end
A consigment of Gun Drills from the US recently took three months to arrive (USPS)
I would love to travel to meet makers, but i wouldnt even be able travel within the united states to meet a maker. I settle for talking to them on the phone. I agree about what you said about reeds though, Bill.
You know rumors, they tend to exaggerate a wee bit.
I think that is the hole point with rumors though 
Thanks for getting it strait Bill, hope everything ends on a good note for the new pipe owner.
I’m sure glad that I paid you a vistit for my pipe pick up. I had no trouble to carry the set as hand luggage on the way home. And best of all, I have not needed to even touch your chanter reed since I left Dublin in early November. It has been so increadibly stable through out the winter and spring. I truley love that set Bill, and in about 20 years I hope to do it justice one day
Cheers!
/MarcusR
As the the names you have on your list are all considered to be TOP makers I find the waiting times you
mentioned very reasonable.
I would get worried if the maker I was about to buy from had “of the shelf pipes” for immediate delivery.
/MarcusR
Exactly how much checking have you done into reputable makers lead times? Have you looked at the best European makers? These lead times are excellent!
If you want speed and a really decent quality product, perhaps looking at the likes of UP of Boston, Pat Sky, CJ Dixon would suit you better. They’re domestic, their leads are reasonable for starter sets, and the cost is also quite reasonable.
Assuming you’re the maker . . .
Did you mark them incredibly clearly as BAGPIPES? Bagpipes and all bagpipe paraphernalia are specifically exempted from duties when coming into the US.
Unless there’s ivory on them, then they’ll never come in without CITES certification.
I wonder why they’re stuck in Customs.
Stuart
No ivory. Clearly marked with the Harmonized Commodity Code for bagpipes, etc.
Problem appears to be the fact that it’s a high value item, and the luck of the draw. It appears from what I hear that this kind of trouble is increasingly common with imports into the US, unless both parties (importer and exporter) are licensed with tax numbers etc.
Bill