Timber

Country
Vanuatu (VU)
Group
Timber
End use
Processing
NPPO Details
Vanuatu Department of Biosecurity
Relevant Web Addresses
https://biosecurity.gov.vu/
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 and extraneous material.


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


Consignments must be free of leaves and bark.

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 are to be:

  • Vacuum impregnation with copper-chrome arsenic at label rates;

OR

  • Fumigated with methyl bromide at 48 grm/m3 for 24 hours at 21 degree Celsius or above within 21 days of shipment;

OR

  • Fumigated with sulphuryl fluoride at normal atmospheric pressure at 64 grm/m3 for 16 hours at 21 degree Celsius or above within 21 days of shipment;

OR

  • Heat treated at 85 degree Celsius or above depending on the thickness of timber as follows: 

Maximum Thickness, mmTime, HoursMaximum Thickness, mmTime, Hours
25415014
50620018
75825022
1001030026

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.
NPPORegulation Specific Import Requirements for Timber and Timber products dated 5May 2015.
03/02/2025 - Updated general requirements due to legislation changes.
Initial Uploaded: 03/06/2015
Reviewed Uploaded: 18/07/2026