All

Country
Papua New Guinea (PG)
Group
Woodchips
End use
Processing
NPPO Details
PNG Biosecurity Authority
Relevant Web Addresses
http://www.naqia.gov.pg
Criteria Criteria Required?
Import Permit Yes
Phytosanitary Certificate Yes
Additional Declaration/Endorsement No
Protocol Market No
Consignments are to be free from pests, soil, weed seeds, evidence of disease and extraneous material including bark.

A copy of the import permit must be presented to an Authorised Officer at the time of inspection.


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.

Consignments must be treated prior to export with either:

  • Heat treatment with the core temperature of timber must be maintained at or above 56 degrees Celsius for a minimum of 30 minutes. Treatment time does not commence until the temperature in the chamber has stabilized and the core temperature of the timber has reached a minimum of 56 degrees Celsius;

OR

  • Kiln dried to a maximum moisture content of 14%. The application time must be at least equal to those shown on the table.


Maximum Thickness (mm)Time (in Hours)
254
506
758
10010
15014
20018
25022
30026

 

  • The exporter should contact NAQIA for kiln dried treatment temperature requirements;

OR

  • Fumigation with methyl bromide at 48 grm/m3 at 21 degrees for 24 hours.

The exporter is to provide evidence attesting to the treatment and present it to the Authorised Officer at the time of inspection.


Details of treatment to be endorsed on the phytosanitary certificate in the treatment section.
Import permit dated 29 May 2018 and NPPO regulations dated 10 February 2015.
03/02/2025 - 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