diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 7538d58..c2c151c 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -12,4 +12,5 @@ env
 dist
 docs/_build/
 vdirsyncer/version.py
+vdirsyncer/_native*
 .hypothesis
diff --git a/docs/installation.rst b/docs/installation.rst
index 0bc22d9..fb8758a 100644
--- a/docs/installation.rst
+++ b/docs/installation.rst
@@ -44,12 +44,14 @@ following things are installed:
 - Python 3.4+ and pip.
 - ``libxml`` and ``libxslt``
 - ``zlib``
+- `Rust <https://www.rust-lang.org/>`, the programming language, together with
+  its package manager ``cargo``.
 - Linux or OS X. **Windows is not supported**, see :gh:`535`.
 
 On Linux systems, using the distro's package manager is the best
 way to do this, for example, using Ubuntu::
 
-    sudo apt-get install libxml2 libxslt1.1 zlib1g python3
+    sudo apt-get install libxml2 libxslt1.1 zlib1g python3 rustc cargo
 
 Then you have several options. The following text applies for most Python
 software by the way.
diff --git a/rust/.gitignore b/rust/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1e7caa9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rust/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+Cargo.lock
+target/
diff --git a/rust/Cargo.toml b/rust/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a03d9b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rust/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+[package]
+name = "vdirsyncer_rustext"
+version = "0.1.0"
+authors = ["Markus Unterwaditzer <markus@unterwaditzer.net>"]
+build = "build.rs"
+
+[lib]
+name = "vdirsyncer_rustext"
+crate-type = ["cdylib"]
+
+[dependencies]
+vobject = "0.2.0"
+
+[build-dependencies]
+cbindgen = "0.1"
diff --git a/rust/build.rs b/rust/build.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1c00f4c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rust/build.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+extern crate cbindgen;
+
+use std::env;
+
+fn main() {
+    let crate_dir = env::var("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR").unwrap();
+    let mut config: cbindgen::Config = Default::default();
+    config.language = cbindgen::Language::C;
+    cbindgen::generate_with_config(&crate_dir, config)
+      .unwrap()
+      .write_to_file("target/vdirsyncer_rustext.h");
+}
diff --git a/rust/src/lib.rs b/rust/src/lib.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ff67a60
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rust/src/lib.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+extern crate vobject;
+
+use std::ffi::{CStr, CString};
+use std::os::raw::c_char;
+use std::mem;
+use std::ptr;
+
+const EMPTY_STRING: *const c_char = b"\0" as *const u8 as *const c_char;
+
+#[repr(C)]
+pub struct VdirsyncerError {
+    pub failed: bool,
+    pub msg: *mut c_char,
+}
+
+// Workaround to be able to use opaque pointer
+#[repr(C)]
+pub struct VdirsyncerComponent(vobject::Component);
+
+#[no_mangle]
+pub unsafe extern "C" fn vdirsyncer_get_uid(c: *mut VdirsyncerComponent) -> *const c_char {
+    match safe_get_uid(&(*c).0) {
+        Some(x) => CString::new(x).unwrap().into_raw(),
+        None => EMPTY_STRING
+    }
+}
+
+#[inline]
+fn safe_get_uid(c: &vobject::Component) -> Option<String> {
+    let mut stack = vec![c];
+
+    while let Some(vobj) = stack.pop() {
+        if let Some(prop) = vobj.get_only("UID") {
+            return Some(prop.value_as_string());
+        }
+        stack.extend(vobj.subcomponents.iter());
+    };
+    None
+}
+
+#[no_mangle]
+pub unsafe extern "C" fn vdirsyncer_free_str(s: *const c_char) {
+    CStr::from_ptr(s);
+}
+
+#[no_mangle]
+pub unsafe extern "C" fn vdirsyncer_parse_component(s: *const c_char, err: *mut VdirsyncerError) -> *mut VdirsyncerComponent {
+    let cstring = CStr::from_ptr(s);
+    match vobject::parse_component(cstring.to_str().unwrap()) {
+        Ok(x) => mem::transmute(Box::new(VdirsyncerComponent(x))),
+        Err(e) => {
+            (*err).failed = true;
+            (*err).msg = CString::new(e.into_string()).unwrap().into_raw();
+            mem::zeroed()
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[no_mangle]
+pub unsafe extern "C" fn vdirsyncer_free_component(c: *mut VdirsyncerComponent) {
+    let _: Box<VdirsyncerComponent> = mem::transmute(c);
+}
+
+#[no_mangle]
+pub unsafe extern "C" fn vdirsyncer_clear_err(e: *mut VdirsyncerError) {
+    CString::from_raw((*e).msg);
+    (*e).msg = ptr::null_mut();
+}
+
+#[no_mangle]
+pub unsafe extern "C" fn vdirsyncer_change_uid(c: *mut VdirsyncerComponent, uid: *const c_char) {
+    let uid_cstring = CStr::from_ptr(uid);
+    change_uid(&mut (*c).0, uid_cstring.to_str().unwrap());
+}
+
+fn change_uid(c: &mut vobject::Component, uid: &str) {
+    let mut stack = vec![c];
+    while let Some(component) = stack.pop() {
+        match component.name.as_ref() {
+            "VEVENT" | "VTODO" | "VJOURNAL" | "VCARD" => {
+                if !uid.is_empty() {
+                    component.set(vobject::Property::new("UID", uid));
+                } else {
+                    component.remove("UID");
+                }
+            },
+            _ => ()
+        }
+
+        stack.extend(component.subcomponents.iter_mut());
+    }
+}
+
+#[no_mangle]
+pub unsafe extern "C" fn vdirsyncer_clone_component(c: *mut VdirsyncerComponent) -> *mut VdirsyncerComponent {
+    mem::transmute(Box::new((*c).0.clone()))
+}
+
+#[no_mangle]
+pub unsafe extern "C" fn vdirsyncer_write_component(c: *mut VdirsyncerComponent) -> *const c_char {
+    CString::new(vobject::write_component(&(*c).0)).unwrap().into_raw()
+}
diff --git a/scripts/dpkg.Dockerfile b/scripts/dpkg.Dockerfile
index 78c8aab..f48783c 100644
--- a/scripts/dpkg.Dockerfile
+++ b/scripts/dpkg.Dockerfile
@@ -8,9 +8,12 @@ ARG distrover
 
 RUN apt-get update
 RUN apt-get install -y build-essential fakeroot debhelper git
-RUN apt-get install -y python3-all python3-pip
+RUN apt-get install -y python3-all python3-dev python3-pip
 RUN apt-get install -y ruby ruby-dev 
 RUN apt-get install -y python-all python-pip
+RUN curl https://sh.rustup.rs -sSf | sh -s -- -y
+RUN apt-get install -y libssl-dev libffi-dev
+ENV PATH="/root/.cargo/bin/:${PATH}"
 
 RUN gem install fpm
 
@@ -24,7 +27,7 @@ RUN mkdir /vdirsyncer/pkgs/
 
 RUN basename *.tar.gz .tar.gz | cut -d'-' -f2 | sed -e 's/\.dev/~/g' | tee version
 RUN (echo -n *.tar.gz; echo '[google]') | tee requirements.txt
-RUN . /vdirsyncer/env/bin/activate; fpm -s virtualenv -t deb \
+RUN . /vdirsyncer/env/bin/activate; fpm --verbose -s virtualenv -t deb \
 -n "vdirsyncer-latest" \
 -v "$(cat version)" \
 --prefix /opt/venvs/vdirsyncer-latest \
diff --git a/scripts/travis-install.sh b/scripts/travis-install.sh
index 9b78409..a9be183 100644
--- a/scripts/travis-install.sh
+++ b/scripts/travis-install.sh
@@ -8,3 +8,6 @@ if [ "$TRAVIS_OS_NAME" = "osx" ]; then
     virtualenv -p python3 $HOME/osx-py3
     . $HOME/osx-py3/bin/activate
 fi
+
+curl https://sh.rustup.rs -sSf | sh -s -- -y
+export PATH="$HOME/.cargo/bin/:$PATH"
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index 1909b8d..fbbf4db 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -9,5 +9,5 @@ addopts = --tb=short
 # E731: Use a def instead of lambda expr
 ignore = E731
 select = C,E,F,W,B,B9
-exclude = tests/storage/servers/owncloud/, tests/storage/servers/nextcloud/, tests/storage/servers/baikal/, build/
+exclude = .eggs/, tests/storage/servers/owncloud/, tests/storage/servers/nextcloud/, tests/storage/servers/baikal/, build/, vdirsyncer/_native*
 application-package-names = tests,vdirsyncer
diff --git a/setup.py b/setup.py
index b033ce9..f8d641c 100644
--- a/setup.py
+++ b/setup.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ how to package vdirsyncer.
 
 from setuptools import Command, find_packages, setup
 
+milksnake = 'milksnake'
 
 requirements = [
     # https://github.com/mitsuhiko/click/issues/200
@@ -32,10 +33,29 @@ requirements = [
     'requests_toolbelt >=0.4.0',
 
     # https://github.com/untitaker/python-atomicwrites/commit/4d12f23227b6a944ab1d99c507a69fdbc7c9ed6d  # noqa
-    'atomicwrites>=0.1.7'
+    'atomicwrites>=0.1.7',
+    milksnake
 ]
 
 
+def build_native(spec):
+    build = spec.add_external_build(
+        cmd=['cargo', 'build', '--release'],
+        path='./rust'
+    )
+
+    spec.add_cffi_module(
+        module_path='vdirsyncer._native',
+        dylib=lambda: build.find_dylib(
+            'vdirsyncer_rustext', in_path='target/release'),
+        header_filename=lambda: build.find_header(
+            'vdirsyncer_rustext.h', in_path='target'),
+        # Rust bug: If thread-local storage is used, this flag is necessary
+        # (mitsuhiko)
+        rtld_flags=['NODELETE']
+    )
+
+
 class PrintRequirements(Command):
     description = 'Prints minimal requirements'
     user_options = []
@@ -75,7 +95,10 @@ setup(
     },
 
     # Build dependencies
-    setup_requires=['setuptools_scm != 1.12.0'],
+    setup_requires=[
+        'setuptools_scm != 1.12.0',
+        milksnake,
+    ],
 
     # Other
     packages=find_packages(exclude=['tests.*', 'tests']),
@@ -101,4 +124,7 @@ setup(
         'Topic :: Internet',
         'Topic :: Utilities',
     ],
+    milksnake_tasks=[build_native],
+    zip_safe=False,
+    platforms='any'
 )
diff --git a/tests/__init__.py b/tests/__init__.py
index 9103d74..0f94351 100644
--- a/tests/__init__.py
+++ b/tests/__init__.py
@@ -3,9 +3,11 @@
 Test suite for vdirsyncer.
 '''
 
+import random
+
 import hypothesis.strategies as st
 
-from vdirsyncer.vobject import normalize_item
+from vdirsyncer.vobject import Item, normalize_item
 
 import urllib3
 import urllib3.exceptions
@@ -109,3 +111,10 @@ uid_strategy = st.text(
     )),
     min_size=1
 ).filter(lambda x: x.strip() == x)
+
+
+def format_item(uid=None, item_template=VCARD_TEMPLATE):
+    # assert that special chars are handled correctly.
+    r = random.random()
+    uid = uid or r
+    return Item(item_template.format(r=r, uid=uid))
diff --git a/tests/storage/__init__.py b/tests/storage/__init__.py
index a66c008..9fef293 100644
--- a/tests/storage/__init__.py
+++ b/tests/storage/__init__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 
-import random
 import uuid
 
 import textwrap
@@ -16,7 +15,8 @@ from vdirsyncer.storage.base import normalize_meta_value
 from vdirsyncer.vobject import Item
 
 from .. import EVENT_TEMPLATE, TASK_TEMPLATE, VCARD_TEMPLATE, \
-    assert_item_equals, normalize_item, printable_characters_strategy
+    assert_item_equals, format_item, normalize_item, \
+    printable_characters_strategy
 
 
 def get_server_mixin(server_name):
@@ -25,12 +25,6 @@ def get_server_mixin(server_name):
     return x.ServerMixin
 
 
-def format_item(item_template, uid=None):
-    # assert that special chars are handled correctly.
-    r = random.random()
-    return Item(item_template.format(r=r, uid=uid or r))
-
-
 class StorageTests(object):
     storage_class = None
     supports_collections = True
@@ -62,7 +56,7 @@ class StorageTests(object):
             'VCARD': VCARD_TEMPLATE,
         }[item_type]
 
-        return lambda **kw: format_item(template, **kw)
+        return lambda **kw: format_item(item_template=template, **kw)
 
     @pytest.fixture
     def requires_collections(self):
diff --git a/tests/storage/dav/test_caldav.py b/tests/storage/dav/test_caldav.py
index 3063bbd..ed5657d 100644
--- a/tests/storage/dav/test_caldav.py
+++ b/tests/storage/dav/test_caldav.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ class TestCalDAVStorage(DAVStorageTests):
         s = self.storage_class(item_types=(item_type,), **get_storage_args())
 
         try:
-            s.upload(format_item(VCARD_TEMPLATE))
+            s.upload(format_item(item_template=VCARD_TEMPLATE))
         except (exceptions.Error, requests.exceptions.HTTPError):
             pass
         assert not list(s.list())
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ class TestCalDAVStorage(DAVStorageTests):
         s = self.storage_class(start_date=start_date, end_date=end_date,
                                **get_storage_args())
 
-        too_old_item = format_item(dedent(u'''
+        too_old_item = format_item(item_template=dedent(u'''
             BEGIN:VCALENDAR
             VERSION:2.0
             PRODID:-//hacksw/handcal//NONSGML v1.0//EN
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class TestCalDAVStorage(DAVStorageTests):
             END:VCALENDAR
             ''').strip())
 
-        too_new_item = format_item(dedent(u'''
+        too_new_item = format_item(item_template=dedent(u'''
             BEGIN:VCALENDAR
             VERSION:2.0
             PRODID:-//hacksw/handcal//NONSGML v1.0//EN
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ class TestCalDAVStorage(DAVStorageTests):
             END:VCALENDAR
             ''').strip())
 
-        good_item = format_item(dedent(u'''
+        good_item = format_item(item_template=dedent(u'''
             BEGIN:VCALENDAR
             VERSION:2.0
             PRODID:-//hacksw/handcal//NONSGML v1.0//EN
@@ -136,8 +136,8 @@ class TestCalDAVStorage(DAVStorageTests):
     @pytest.mark.skipif(dav_server == 'icloud',
                         reason='iCloud only accepts VEVENT')
     def test_item_types_general(self, s):
-        event = s.upload(format_item(EVENT_TEMPLATE))[0]
-        task = s.upload(format_item(TASK_TEMPLATE))[0]
+        event = s.upload(format_item(item_template=EVENT_TEMPLATE))[0]
+        task = s.upload(format_item(item_template=TASK_TEMPLATE))[0]
         s.item_types = ('VTODO', 'VEVENT')
 
         def l():
diff --git a/tests/storage/test_filesystem.py b/tests/storage/test_filesystem.py
index 3dcd5ff..5501720 100644
--- a/tests/storage/test_filesystem.py
+++ b/tests/storage/test_filesystem.py
@@ -5,9 +5,9 @@ import subprocess
 import pytest
 
 from vdirsyncer.storage.filesystem import FilesystemStorage
-from vdirsyncer.vobject import Item
 
 from . import StorageTests
+from tests import format_item
 
 
 class TestFilesystemStorage(StorageTests):
@@ -42,13 +42,13 @@ class TestFilesystemStorage(StorageTests):
 
     def test_ident_with_slash(self, tmpdir):
         s = self.storage_class(str(tmpdir), '.txt')
-        s.upload(Item(u'UID:a/b/c'))
+        s.upload(format_item('a/b/c'))
         item_file, = tmpdir.listdir()
         assert '/' not in item_file.basename and item_file.isfile()
 
     def test_too_long_uid(self, tmpdir):
         s = self.storage_class(str(tmpdir), '.txt')
-        item = Item(u'UID:' + u'hue' * 600)
+        item = format_item('hue' * 600)
         href, etag = s.upload(item)
         assert item.uid not in href
 
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class TestFilesystemStorage(StorageTests):
         monkeypatch.setattr(subprocess, 'call', check_call_mock)
 
         s = self.storage_class(str(tmpdir), '.txt', post_hook=None)
-        s.upload(Item(u'UID:a/b/c'))
+        s.upload(format_item('a/b/c'))
 
     def test_post_hook_active(self, tmpdir, monkeypatch):
 
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class TestFilesystemStorage(StorageTests):
         monkeypatch.setattr(subprocess, 'call', check_call_mock)
 
         s = self.storage_class(str(tmpdir), '.txt', post_hook=exe)
-        s.upload(Item(u'UID:a/b/c'))
+        s.upload(format_item('a/b/c'))
         assert calls
 
     def test_ignore_git_dirs(self, tmpdir):
diff --git a/tests/system/cli/test_repair.py b/tests/system/cli/test_repair.py
index 7573801..b7c9a1f 100644
--- a/tests/system/cli/test_repair.py
+++ b/tests/system/cli/test_repair.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def test_repair_uids(storage, runner, repair_uids):
         assert 'UID or href is unsafe, assigning random UID' in result.output
         assert not f.exists()
         new_f, = storage.listdir()
-        s = new_f.read()
+        s = new_f.read().strip()
 
         assert s.startswith('BEGIN:VCARD')
         assert s.endswith('END:VCARD')
diff --git a/tests/system/cli/test_sync.py b/tests/system/cli/test_sync.py
index e8ddca9..46afcb5 100644
--- a/tests/system/cli/test_sync.py
+++ b/tests/system/cli/test_sync.py
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ from hypothesis import example, given
 
 import pytest
 
+from tests import format_item
+
 
 def test_simple_run(tmpdir, runner):
     runner.write_with_general(dedent('''
@@ -37,10 +39,11 @@ def test_simple_run(tmpdir, runner):
     result = runner.invoke(['sync'])
     assert not result.exception
 
-    tmpdir.join('path_a/haha.txt').write('UID:haha')
+    item = format_item('haha')
+    tmpdir.join('path_a/haha.txt').write(item.raw)
     result = runner.invoke(['sync'])
     assert 'Copying (uploading) item haha to my_b' in result.output
-    assert tmpdir.join('path_b/haha.txt').read() == 'UID:haha'
+    assert tmpdir.join('path_b/haha.txt').read() == item.raw
 
 
 def test_sync_inexistant_pair(tmpdir, runner):
@@ -109,7 +112,8 @@ def test_empty_storage(tmpdir, runner):
     result = runner.invoke(['sync'])
     assert not result.exception
 
-    tmpdir.join('path_a/haha.txt').write('UID:haha')
+    item = format_item('haha')
+    tmpdir.join('path_a/haha.txt').write(item.raw)
     result = runner.invoke(['sync'])
     assert not result.exception
     tmpdir.join('path_b/haha.txt').remove()
@@ -152,7 +156,7 @@ def test_collections_cache_invalidation(tmpdir, runner):
     collections = ["a", "b", "c"]
     ''').format(str(tmpdir)))
 
-    foo.join('a/itemone.txt').write('UID:itemone')
+    foo.join('a/itemone.txt').write(format_item('itemone').raw)
 
     result = runner.invoke(['discover'])
     assert not result.exception
@@ -347,9 +351,10 @@ def test_ident_conflict(tmpdir, runner):
     foo = tmpdir.mkdir('foo')
     tmpdir.mkdir('bar')
 
-    foo.join('one.txt').write('UID:1')
-    foo.join('two.txt').write('UID:1')
-    foo.join('three.txt').write('UID:1')
+    item = format_item('1')
+    foo.join('one.txt').write(item.raw)
+    foo.join('two.txt').write(item.raw)
+    foo.join('three.txt').write(item.raw)
 
     result = runner.invoke(['discover'])
     assert not result.exception
@@ -403,8 +408,12 @@ def test_no_configured_pairs(tmpdir, runner, cmd):
     assert result.exception.code == 5
 
 
+item_a = format_item('lol')
+item_b = format_item('lol')
+
+
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('resolution,expect_foo,expect_bar', [
-    (['command', 'cp'], 'UID:lol\nfööcontent', 'UID:lol\nfööcontent')
+    (['command', 'cp'], item_a.raw, item_a.raw)
 ])
 def test_conflict_resolution(tmpdir, runner, resolution, expect_foo,
                              expect_bar):
@@ -429,9 +438,9 @@ def test_conflict_resolution(tmpdir, runner, resolution, expect_foo,
     foo = tmpdir.join('foo')
     bar = tmpdir.join('bar')
     fooitem = foo.join('lol.txt').ensure()
-    fooitem.write('UID:lol\nfööcontent')
+    fooitem.write(item_a.raw)
     baritem = bar.join('lol.txt').ensure()
-    baritem.write('UID:lol\nbööcontent')
+    baritem.write(item_b.raw)
 
     r = runner.invoke(['discover'])
     assert not r.exception
@@ -471,11 +480,12 @@ def test_partial_sync(tmpdir, runner, partial_sync):
     foo = tmpdir.mkdir('foo')
     bar = tmpdir.mkdir('bar')
 
-    foo.join('other.txt').write('UID:other')
-    bar.join('other.txt').write('UID:other')
+    item = format_item('other')
+    foo.join('other.txt').write(item.raw)
+    bar.join('other.txt').write(item.raw)
 
     baritem = bar.join('lol.txt')
-    baritem.write('UID:lol')
+    baritem.write(format_item('lol').raw)
 
     r = runner.invoke(['discover'])
     assert not r.exception
diff --git a/tests/unit/sync/test_sync.py b/tests/unit/sync/test_sync.py
index ca96f71..fa3d013 100644
--- a/tests/unit/sync/test_sync.py
+++ b/tests/unit/sync/test_sync.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from hypothesis.stateful import Bundle, RuleBasedStateMachine, rule
 
 import pytest
 
-from tests import blow_up, uid_strategy
+from tests import blow_up, format_item, uid_strategy
 
 from vdirsyncer.storage.memory import MemoryStorage, _random_string
 from vdirsyncer.sync import sync as _sync
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def test_missing_status():
     a = MemoryStorage()
     b = MemoryStorage()
     status = {}
-    item = Item(u'asdf')
+    item = format_item('asdf')
     a.upload(item)
     b.upload(item)
     sync(a, b, status)
@@ -62,8 +62,8 @@ def test_missing_status_and_different_items():
     b = MemoryStorage()
 
     status = {}
-    item1 = Item(u'UID:1\nhaha')
-    item2 = Item(u'UID:1\nhoho')
+    item1 = format_item('1')
+    item2 = format_item('1')
     a.upload(item1)
     b.upload(item2)
     with pytest.raises(SyncConflict):
@@ -79,8 +79,8 @@ def test_read_only_and_prefetch():
     b.read_only = True
 
     status = {}
-    item1 = Item(u'UID:1\nhaha')
-    item2 = Item(u'UID:2\nhoho')
+    item1 = format_item('1')
+    item2 = format_item('2')
     a.upload(item1)
     a.upload(item2)
 
@@ -95,7 +95,8 @@ def test_partial_sync_error():
     b = MemoryStorage()
     status = {}
 
-    a.upload(Item('UID:0'))
+    item = format_item('0')
+    a.upload(item)
     b.read_only = True
 
     with pytest.raises(PartialSync):
@@ -107,13 +108,13 @@ def test_partial_sync_ignore():
     b = MemoryStorage()
     status = {}
 
-    item0 = Item('UID:0\nhehe')
+    item0 = format_item('0')
     a.upload(item0)
     b.upload(item0)
 
     b.read_only = True
 
-    item1 = Item('UID:1\nhaha')
+    item1 = format_item('1')
     a.upload(item1)
 
     sync(a, b, status, partial_sync='ignore')
@@ -128,23 +129,25 @@ def test_partial_sync_ignore2():
     b = MemoryStorage()
     status = {}
 
-    href, etag = a.upload(Item('UID:0'))
+    item = format_item('0')
+    href, etag = a.upload(item)
     a.read_only = True
 
     sync(a, b, status, partial_sync='ignore', force_delete=True)
-    assert items(b) == items(a) == {'UID:0'}
+    assert items(b) == items(a) == {item.raw}
 
     b.items.clear()
     sync(a, b, status, partial_sync='ignore', force_delete=True)
     sync(a, b, status, partial_sync='ignore', force_delete=True)
-    assert items(a) == {'UID:0'}
+    assert items(a) == {item.raw}
     assert not b.items
 
     a.read_only = False
-    a.update(href, Item('UID:0\nupdated'), etag)
+    new_item = format_item('0')
+    a.update(href, new_item, etag)
     a.read_only = True
     sync(a, b, status, partial_sync='ignore', force_delete=True)
-    assert items(b) == items(a) == {'UID:0\nupdated'}
+    assert items(b) == items(a) == {new_item.raw}
 
 
 def test_upload_and_update():
@@ -152,22 +155,22 @@ def test_upload_and_update():
     b = MemoryStorage(fileext='.b')
     status = {}
 
-    item = Item(u'UID:1')  # new item 1 in a
+    item = format_item('1')  # new item 1 in a
     a.upload(item)
     sync(a, b, status)
     assert items(b) == items(a) == {item.raw}
 
-    item = Item(u'UID:1\nASDF:YES')  # update of item 1 in b
+    item = format_item('1')  # update of item 1 in b
     b.update('1.b', item, b.get('1.b')[1])
     sync(a, b, status)
     assert items(b) == items(a) == {item.raw}
 
-    item2 = Item(u'UID:2')  # new item 2 in b
+    item2 = format_item('2')  # new item 2 in b
     b.upload(item2)
     sync(a, b, status)
     assert items(b) == items(a) == {item.raw, item2.raw}
 
-    item2 = Item(u'UID:2\nASDF:YES')  # update of item 2 in a
+    item2 = format_item('2')  # update of item 2 in a
     a.update('2.a', item2, a.get('2.a')[1])
     sync(a, b, status)
     assert items(b) == items(a) == {item.raw, item2.raw}
@@ -178,9 +181,9 @@ def test_deletion():
     b = MemoryStorage(fileext='.b')
     status = {}
 
-    item = Item(u'UID:1')
+    item = format_item('1')
     a.upload(item)
-    item2 = Item(u'UID:2')
+    item2 = format_item('2')
     a.upload(item2)
     sync(a, b, status)
     b.delete('1.b', b.get('1.b')[1])
@@ -200,14 +203,14 @@ def test_insert_hash():
     b = MemoryStorage()
     status = {}
 
-    item = Item('UID:1')
+    item = format_item('1')
     href, etag = a.upload(item)
     sync(a, b, status)
 
     for d in status['1']:
         del d['hash']
 
-    a.update(href, Item('UID:1\nHAHA:YES'), etag)
+    a.update(href, format_item('1'), etag)  # new item content
     sync(a, b, status)
     assert 'hash' in status['1'][0] and 'hash' in status['1'][1]
 
@@ -215,7 +218,7 @@ def test_insert_hash():
 def test_already_synced():
     a = MemoryStorage(fileext='.a')
     b = MemoryStorage(fileext='.b')
-    item = Item(u'UID:1')
+    item = format_item('1')
     a.upload(item)
     b.upload(item)
     status = {
@@ -243,14 +246,14 @@ def test_already_synced():
 def test_conflict_resolution_both_etags_new(winning_storage):
     a = MemoryStorage()
     b = MemoryStorage()
-    item = Item(u'UID:1')
+    item = format_item('1')
     href_a, etag_a = a.upload(item)
     href_b, etag_b = b.upload(item)
     status = {}
     sync(a, b, status)
     assert status
-    item_a = Item(u'UID:1\nitem a')
-    item_b = Item(u'UID:1\nitem b')
+    item_a = format_item('1')
+    item_b = format_item('1')
     a.update(href_a, item_a, etag_a)
     b.update(href_b, item_b, etag_b)
     with pytest.raises(SyncConflict):
@@ -264,13 +267,14 @@ def test_conflict_resolution_both_etags_new(winning_storage):
 def test_updated_and_deleted():
     a = MemoryStorage()
     b = MemoryStorage()
-    href_a, etag_a = a.upload(Item(u'UID:1'))
+    item = format_item('1')
+    href_a, etag_a = a.upload(item)
     status = {}
     sync(a, b, status, force_delete=True)
 
     (href_b, etag_b), = b.list()
     b.delete(href_b, etag_b)
-    updated = Item(u'UID:1\nupdated')
+    updated = format_item('1')
     a.update(href_a, updated, etag_a)
     sync(a, b, status, force_delete=True)
 
@@ -280,8 +284,8 @@ def test_updated_and_deleted():
 def test_conflict_resolution_invalid_mode():
     a = MemoryStorage()
     b = MemoryStorage()
-    item_a = Item(u'UID:1\nitem a')
-    item_b = Item(u'UID:1\nitem b')
+    item_a = format_item('1')
+    item_b = format_item('1')
     a.upload(item_a)
     b.upload(item_b)
     with pytest.raises(ValueError):
@@ -291,7 +295,7 @@ def test_conflict_resolution_invalid_mode():
 def test_conflict_resolution_new_etags_without_changes():
     a = MemoryStorage()
     b = MemoryStorage()
-    item = Item(u'UID:1')
+    item = format_item('1')
     href_a, etag_a = a.upload(item)
     href_b, etag_b = b.upload(item)
     status = {'1': (href_a, 'BOGUS_a', href_b, 'BOGUS_b')}
@@ -326,7 +330,7 @@ def test_uses_get_multi(monkeypatch):
 
     a = MemoryStorage()
     b = MemoryStorage()
-    item = Item(u'UID:1')
+    item = format_item('1')
     expected_href, etag = a.upload(item)
 
     sync(a, b, {})
@@ -336,8 +340,8 @@ def test_uses_get_multi(monkeypatch):
 def test_empty_storage_dataloss():
     a = MemoryStorage()
     b = MemoryStorage()
-    a.upload(Item(u'UID:1'))
-    a.upload(Item(u'UID:2'))
+    for i in '12':
+        a.upload(format_item(i))
     status = {}
     sync(a, b, status)
     with pytest.raises(StorageEmpty):
@@ -350,22 +354,24 @@ def test_empty_storage_dataloss():
 def test_no_uids():
     a = MemoryStorage()
     b = MemoryStorage()
-    a.upload(Item(u'ASDF'))
-    b.upload(Item(u'FOOBAR'))
+    item_a = format_item('')
+    item_b = format_item('')
+    a.upload(item_a)
+    b.upload(item_b)
     status = {}
     sync(a, b, status)
-    assert items(a) == items(b) == {u'ASDF', u'FOOBAR'}
+    assert items(a) == items(b) == {item_a.raw, item_b.raw}
 
 
 def test_changed_uids():
     a = MemoryStorage()
     b = MemoryStorage()
-    href_a, etag_a = a.upload(Item(u'UID:A-ONE'))
-    href_b, etag_b = b.upload(Item(u'UID:B-ONE'))
+    href_a, etag_a = a.upload(format_item('a1'))
+    href_b, etag_b = b.upload(format_item('b1'))
     status = {}
     sync(a, b, status)
 
-    a.update(href_a, Item(u'UID:A-TWO'), etag_a)
+    a.update(href_a, format_item('a2'), etag_a)
     sync(a, b, status)
 
 
@@ -383,34 +389,37 @@ def test_partial_sync_revert():
     a = MemoryStorage(instance_name='a')
     b = MemoryStorage(instance_name='b')
     status = {}
-    a.upload(Item(u'UID:1'))
-    b.upload(Item(u'UID:2'))
+    item1 = format_item('1')
+    item2 = format_item('2')
+    a.upload(item1)
+    b.upload(item2)
     b.read_only = True
 
     sync(a, b, status, partial_sync='revert')
     assert len(status) == 2
-    assert items(a) == {'UID:1', 'UID:2'}
-    assert items(b) == {'UID:2'}
+    assert items(a) == {item1.raw, item2.raw}
+    assert items(b) == {item2.raw}
 
     sync(a, b, status, partial_sync='revert')
     assert len(status) == 1
-    assert items(a) == {'UID:2'}
-    assert items(b) == {'UID:2'}
+    assert items(a) == {item2.raw}
+    assert items(b) == {item2.raw}
 
     # Check that updates get reverted
-    a.items[next(iter(a.items))] = ('foo', Item('UID:2\nupdated'))
-    assert items(a) == {'UID:2\nupdated'}
+    item2_up = format_item('2')
+    a.items[next(iter(a.items))] = ('foo', item2_up)
+    assert items(a) == {item2_up.raw}
     sync(a, b, status, partial_sync='revert')
     assert len(status) == 1
-    assert items(a) == {'UID:2\nupdated'}
+    assert items(a) == {item2_up.raw}
     sync(a, b, status, partial_sync='revert')
-    assert items(a) == {'UID:2'}
+    assert items(a) == {item2.raw}
 
     # Check that deletions get reverted
     a.items.clear()
     sync(a, b, status, partial_sync='revert', force_delete=True)
     sync(a, b, status, partial_sync='revert', force_delete=True)
-    assert items(a) == {'UID:2'}
+    assert items(a) == {item2.raw}
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('sync_inbetween', (True, False))
@@ -418,13 +427,16 @@ def test_ident_conflict(sync_inbetween):
     a = MemoryStorage()
     b = MemoryStorage()
     status = {}
-    href_a, etag_a = a.upload(Item(u'UID:aaa'))
-    href_b, etag_b = a.upload(Item(u'UID:bbb'))
+    item_a = format_item('aaa')
+    item_b = format_item('bbb')
+    href_a, etag_a = a.upload(item_a)
+    href_b, etag_b = a.upload(item_b)
     if sync_inbetween:
         sync(a, b, status)
 
-    a.update(href_a, Item(u'UID:xxx'), etag_a)
-    a.update(href_b, Item(u'UID:xxx'), etag_b)
+    item_x = format_item('xxx')
+    a.update(href_a, item_x, etag_a)
+    a.update(href_b, item_x, etag_b)
 
     with pytest.raises(IdentConflict):
         sync(a, b, status)
@@ -441,7 +453,8 @@ def test_moved_href():
     a = MemoryStorage()
     b = MemoryStorage()
     status = {}
-    href, etag = a.upload(Item(u'UID:haha'))
+    item = format_item('haha')
+    href, etag = a.upload(item)
     sync(a, b, status)
 
     b.items['lol'] = b.items.pop('haha')
@@ -454,7 +467,7 @@ def test_moved_href():
 
     sync(a, b, status)
     assert len(status) == 1
-    assert items(a) == items(b) == {'UID:haha'}
+    assert items(a) == items(b) == {item.raw}
     assert status['haha'][1]['href'] == 'lol'
     old_status = deepcopy(status)
 
@@ -463,7 +476,7 @@ def test_moved_href():
 
     sync(a, b, status)
     assert old_status == status
-    assert items(a) == items(b) == {'UID:haha'}
+    assert items(a) == items(b) == {item.raw}
 
 
 def test_bogus_etag_change():
@@ -476,26 +489,31 @@ def test_bogus_etag_change():
     a = MemoryStorage()
     b = MemoryStorage()
     status = {}
-    href_a, etag_a = a.upload(Item(u'UID:ASDASD'))
-    sync(a, b, status)
-    assert len(status) == len(list(a.list())) == len(list(b.list())) == 1
+    item = format_item('ASDASD')
 
+    href_a, etag_a = a.upload(item)
+    sync(a, b, status)
+    assert len(status) == 1
+    assert items(a) == items(b) == {item.raw}
+
+    new_item = format_item('ASDASD')
     (href_b, etag_b), = b.list()
-    a.update(href_a, Item(u'UID:ASDASD'), etag_a)
-    b.update(href_b, Item(u'UID:ASDASD\nACTUALCHANGE:YES'), etag_b)
+    a.update(href_a, item, etag_a)
+    b.update(href_b, new_item, etag_b)
 
     b.delete = b.update = b.upload = blow_up
 
     sync(a, b, status)
     assert len(status) == 1
-    assert items(a) == items(b) == {u'UID:ASDASD\nACTUALCHANGE:YES'}
+    assert items(a) == items(b) == {new_item.raw}
 
 
 def test_unicode_hrefs():
     a = MemoryStorage()
     b = MemoryStorage()
     status = {}
-    href, etag = a.upload(Item(u'UID:äää'))
+    item = format_item('äää')
+    href, etag = a.upload(item)
     sync(a, b, status)
 
 
@@ -565,7 +583,7 @@ class SyncMachine(RuleBasedStateMachine):
           uid=uid_strategy,
           etag=st.text())
     def upload(self, storage, uid, etag):
-        item = Item(u'UID:{}'.format(uid))
+        item = Item('BEGIN:VCARD\r\nUID:{}\r\nEND:VCARD'.format(uid))
         storage.items[uid] = (etag, item)
 
     @rule(storage=Storage, href=st.text())
@@ -643,8 +661,8 @@ def test_rollback(error_callback):
     b = MemoryStorage()
     status = {}
 
-    a.items['0'] = ('', Item('UID:0'))
-    b.items['1'] = ('', Item('UID:1'))
+    a.items['0'] = ('', format_item('0'))
+    b.items['1'] = ('', format_item('1'))
 
     b.upload = b.update = b.delete = action_failure
 
@@ -668,7 +686,7 @@ def test_duplicate_hrefs():
     a = MemoryStorage()
     b = MemoryStorage()
     a.list = lambda: [('a', 'a')] * 3
-    a.items['a'] = ('a', Item('UID:a'))
+    a.items['a'] = ('a', format_item('a'))
 
     status = {}
     sync(a, b, status)
diff --git a/tests/unit/test_repair.py b/tests/unit/test_repair.py
index 0ba726e..457bf69 100644
--- a/tests/unit/test_repair.py
+++ b/tests/unit/test_repair.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ def test_repair_uids(uid):
 @settings(perform_health_check=False)  # Using the random module for UIDs
 def test_repair_unsafe_uids(uid):
     s = MemoryStorage()
-    item = Item(u'BEGIN:VCARD\nUID:{}\nEND:VCARD'.format(uid))
+    item = Item(u'BEGIN:VCARD\nUID:123\nEND:VCARD').with_uid(uid)
     href, etag = s.upload(item)
     assert s.get(href)[0].uid == uid
     assert not href_safe(uid)
diff --git a/tests/unit/utils/test_vobject.py b/tests/unit/utils/test_vobject.py
index cfb52d1..100756a 100644
--- a/tests/unit/utils/test_vobject.py
+++ b/tests/unit/utils/test_vobject.py
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ def test_replace_uid(template, uid):
     item = vobject.Item(template.format(r=123, uid=123)).with_uid(uid)
     assert item.uid == uid
     if uid:
-        assert item.raw.count('\nUID:{}'.format(uid)) == 1
+        assert item.raw.count('\nUID:') == 1
     else:
         assert '\nUID:' not in item.raw
 
diff --git a/vdirsyncer/exceptions.py b/vdirsyncer/exceptions.py
index 722e7de..3346cc3 100644
--- a/vdirsyncer/exceptions.py
+++ b/vdirsyncer/exceptions.py
@@ -79,3 +79,7 @@ class UnsupportedMetadataError(Error, NotImplementedError):
 
 class CollectionRequired(Error):
     '''`collection = null` is not allowed.'''
+
+
+class VobjectParseError(Error, ValueError):
+    '''The parsed vobject is invalid.'''
diff --git a/vdirsyncer/native.py b/vdirsyncer/native.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6eb54ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/vdirsyncer/native.py
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+from ._native import ffi, lib
+from .exceptions import VobjectParseError
+
+
+def parse_component(raw):
+    e = ffi.new('VdirsyncerError *')
+    try:
+        c = lib.vdirsyncer_parse_component(raw, e)
+        if e.failed:
+            raise VobjectParseError(ffi.string(e.msg).decode('utf-8'))
+        return _component_rv(c)
+    finally:
+        if e.failed:
+            lib.vdirsyncer_clear_err(e)
+
+
+def write_component(component):
+    return _string_rv(lib.vdirsyncer_write_component(component))
+
+
+def get_uid(component):
+    return _string_rv(lib.vdirsyncer_get_uid(component))
+
+
+def _string_rv(c_str):
+    try:
+        return ffi.string(c_str).decode('utf-8')
+    finally:
+        lib.vdirsyncer_free_str(c_str)
+
+
+def change_uid(component, uid):
+    lib.vdirsyncer_change_uid(component, uid.encode('utf-8'))
+
+
+def _component_rv(c):
+    return ffi.gc(c, lib.vdirsyncer_free_component)
+
+
+def clone_component(c):
+    return _component_rv(lib.vdirsyncer_clone_component(c))
diff --git a/vdirsyncer/vobject.py b/vdirsyncer/vobject.py
index d97a057..397bea8 100644
--- a/vdirsyncer/vobject.py
+++ b/vdirsyncer/vobject.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import hashlib
 from itertools import chain, tee
 
 from .utils import cached_property, uniq
+from . import exceptions, native
 
 
 IGNORE_PROPS = (
@@ -39,25 +40,25 @@ class Item(object):
     '''Immutable wrapper class for VCALENDAR (VEVENT, VTODO) and
     VCARD'''
 
-    def __init__(self, raw):
+    def __init__(self, raw, component=None):
         assert isinstance(raw, str), type(raw)
         self._raw = raw
 
+        try:
+            self._component = component or \
+                native.parse_component(self.raw.encode('utf-8'))
+        except exceptions.VobjectParseError:
+            self._component = None
+
     def with_uid(self, new_uid):
-        parsed = _Component.parse(self.raw)
-        stack = [parsed]
-        while stack:
-            component = stack.pop()
-            stack.extend(component.subcomponents)
+        if not self._component:
+            raise ValueError('Item malformed.')
 
-            if component.name in ('VEVENT', 'VTODO', 'VJOURNAL', 'VCARD'):
-                del component['UID']
-                if new_uid:
-                    component['UID'] = new_uid
+        new_c = native.clone_component(self._component)
+        native.change_uid(new_c, new_uid or '')
+        return Item(native.write_component(new_c), component=new_c)
 
-        return Item('\r\n'.join(parsed.dump_lines()))
-
-    @cached_property
+    @property
     def raw(self):
         '''Raw content of the item, as unicode string.
 
@@ -69,13 +70,9 @@ class Item(object):
     def uid(self):
         '''Global identifier of the item, across storages, doesn't change after
         a modification of the item.'''
-        # Don't actually parse component, but treat all lines as single
-        # component, avoiding traversal through all subcomponents.
-        x = _Component('TEMP', self.raw.splitlines(), [])
-        try:
-            return x['UID'].strip() or None
-        except KeyError:
+        if not self._component:
             return None
+        return native.get_uid(self._component) or None
 
     @cached_property
     def hash(self):
@@ -99,11 +96,16 @@ class Item(object):
     @property
     def parsed(self):
         '''Don't cache because the rv is mutable.'''
+        # FIXME: remove
         try:
             return _Component.parse(self.raw)
         except Exception:
             return None
 
+    @property
+    def is_valid(self):
+        return bool(self._component)
+
 
 def normalize_item(item, ignore_props=IGNORE_PROPS):
     '''Create syntactically invalid mess that is equal for similar items.'''