Sandalwood

Country
Malaysia (MY)
Scientific Name
Santalum spicatum
Group
Timber
End use
Processing
NPPO Details
Plant Biosecurity Division, Department of Agriculture Malaysia
Relevant Web Addresses
http://www.doa.gov.my/
Criteria Criteria Required?
Import Permit Yes
Phytosanitary Certificate Yes
Additional Declaration/Endorsement No
Protocol Market No
A copy of the import permit must be presented to an Authorised Officer at the time of inspection.


Consignments are to be free from pests, soil, weed seeds and extraneous material.


All timber must be debarked before export to Malaysia.

All consignments must be shipped in lots of no more than 2 cubic metres in volume and packaged in clear plastic wrapping (if shipped in bulk).

 

The Export Control Act 2020 and the Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) Rules 2021, require an export licence issued by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for any exports of two tonnes or more of:

  • woodchips;
  • wood in the round (i.e. logs);
  • wood with a cross-sectional area of at least 225 square centimetres

These are considered 'prescribed goods' under the Export Control (Wood and Woodchips) Rules 2021. 

A licence is not required for the above listed wood and woodchips if:
  • the wood or woodchips are sourced from an area covered by a Regional Forest Agreement (RFA). Details regarding the areas covered by RFAs can be found here: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/forestry/policies/rfa.
  • the wood or woodchips are derived from trees harvested outside Australian territory, including those transiting through Australia.
  • the wood or woodchips are sourced from a plantation in a State with an approved code of practice for the establishment, management and harvesting of all plantations in that State.

If an export licence is required, it is the responsibility of exporters to obtain a licence to export prescribed wood or woodchips prior to export.

Exporters can find information on how to obtain an export licence for prescribed wood or woodchips on the departments website - Exports of unprocessed wood and woodchips (wood export licensing) - DAFF.

Any enquires on what is classed as prescribed wood or woodchips should be directed to: wood.export@aff.gov.au, or call (02) 6272 4353.

The only responsibility authorised officers have in relation to the export licences for unprocessed wood is to inform unprocessed wood exporters of the possible requirement to hold a licence to export unprocessed wood.

Each consignment shall be fumigated with:

  • Methyl bromide at 48 grm/m3 at 21 degrees Celsius for more than 24 hours;

OR

  • Phosphine at 4 grm/m3 at 21 degrees Celsius for 120 hours;

OR

  • Heat treated to 70 degree Celsius core temperature for 4 hours.
The exporter is to provide evidence attesting to the treatment and present it to the department at time of authorisation.


Details of treatment to be endorsed on the phytosanitary certificate in the treatment section.

Import permit dated 14 October 2010
09/04/2025 - Updated treatment details to allow post-inspection fumigation of sandalwood consignments.
04/02/2025 - Updated general requirements due to legislation changes.
08/11/2021 - Updated general requirements due to legislation changes.
Initial Uploaded: 29/07/2014
Reviewed Uploaded: 18/07/2026