Key facts
- India imported US$6,971 million of timber: logs, sawn wood, veneer, mdf in FY2024-25 (static.pib.gov.in).
- Sourced from 5 origin countries: NZ, MY, US, AU, GA.
- Certifications available from the supply base: Phytosanitary certificate, FSC chain of custody.
- Typical minimum order: Logs typically by the container (multiple boxes) or vessel; lumber from one 40' container (typical).
Product overview
India is a large importer of wood: DGFT's 'Wood & wood products' group was US$6.78 bn in FY2025-26 (tier 1; broader than timber), and Comtrade put chapter 44 at US$2.48 bn in CY2025. Logs and sawn timber arrive mainly through Kandla (Gandhidham), Tuticorin, Mumbai and Kolkata, where sawmill clusters cut them for local markets.
New Zealand radiata pine is used for construction shuttering, packaging and furniture; Malaysian, African and other tropical hardwoods for doors, windows and furniture; US and European hardwood lumber for premium furniture and interiors. The research file describes a legacy trade with established Kandla and Tuticorin importers, with NZ and Australian supply fitting the house's corridor.
Plant-quarantine rules are the main import gate: logs need an import permit, debarking and approved fumigation or treatment. CITES applies to listed species, and plywood and MDF are under BIS QCOs. Legality is a growing concern, so avoid Myanmar teak (log exports banned since 2014) and unverified tropical sources.
HS note: Sawn wood is 4407, veneer 4408, plywood 4412 and MDF 4411. The taxonomy has no timber category, so this entry is filed under building materials.
Specifications
| Log grades (NZ pine) | Export grades such as A, K, KS by diameter and quality (typical) |
|---|---|
| Log diameter | Small-end diameter typically ≥ 20–30 cm (typical) |
| Sawn timber | Kiln-dried (~8–12% MC) or green/air-dried; NHLA grades for US hardwoods (FAS, No.1 Common) (typical) |
| Measurement | JAS or Hoppus m³ for logs; m³ or board feet for lumber (typical) |
| Treatment | Debarked; methyl bromide or other approved treatment as required by India PQ (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Softwood logs (radiata pine)
Shuttering, packaging, pallets and furniture.
Tropical hardwoods
Doors, windows, furniture; legality documentation critical.
Temperate hardwood lumber
Premium furniture and interiors (oak, ash, walnut).
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Logs / bundles | Logs loose in containers or break-bulk vessels; lumber in strapped bundles (typical) | ISPM-15 does not apply to the timber itself but to wooden packaging |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP Logs ~18–24 m³ depending on length (typical) · 40' HC Softwood sawn ~45–55 m³; dense hardwood weight-limited ~25 t (typical). Large log volumes move break-bulk
Customisation: Lengths, diameters, sawn dimensions and drying to order
Where Indian buyers are
Main Indian demand centres we distribute to.
Gujarat
Gandhidham/Kandla, Ahmedabad, Morbi
India's largest timber import and sawmill hub
Tamil Nadu
Tuticorin (Thoothukudi), Chennai
South-India timber port and sawmills
Maharashtra
Mumbai, Bhiwandi, Pune
Furniture, construction and timber markets
Kerala / Haryana
Perumbavoor, Yamunanagar
Plywood and panel clusters
West Bengal
Kolkata
East-India timber trade
Sourcing origins
NZ
Tauranga (port), Napier (port), Rotorua
Plantation radiata pine logs and sawn timber; FSC-certified supply common; India-NZ FTA in force 20 Oct 2026.
MY
Bintulu (Sarawak), Kuching, Sandakan (Sabah)
Tropical hardwood logs and sawn timber (meranti, keruing); check legality documentation.
US
Norfolk (port), Baltimore (port), Savannah (port)
Hardwood lumber and logs (oak, ash, walnut, poplar) for furniture and interiors.
AU
Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart
Plantation pine and hardwoods; ECTA preferential access.
GA
Owendo (Libreville)
Okoume and other tropical sawn timber only — Gabon has banned log exports since 2010.
Origin market notes
United States & Canada
US hardwood lumber serves premium furniture; transit is long and prices follow the US housing market.
Southeast Asia
Malaysia (Sarawak/Sabah) supplies tropical hardwoods; legality verification is essential, and log-export quotas at origin limit supply.
Africa
Gabon exports only processed timber (log export ban since 2010); other Central and West African sources need strong legality checks.
Australia & New Zealand
New Zealand plantation pine is a large, legal and consistent supply; the India-NZ FTA entered into force on 20 Oct 2026 (check timber tariff lines). Australia offers plantation pine and hardwoods with ECTA preferences.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
As of 2026-11: timber and logs need a plant-quarantine import permit before shipment and a phytosanitary certificate endorsed with approved treatment (debarking, methyl bromide or alternatives) under the PQ Order 2003, with entry only through notified ports. CITES permits apply to listed species; sandalwood and red sanders are restricted. Plywood and MDF are under BIS QCOs (research file). Sources: https://ppqs.gov.in; research/02-indian-imports.md; https://www.dgft.gov.in/CP/?opt=itchs-import-export.
Quality control
- • Pre-shipment measurement and grading survey
- • Fumigation/treatment certificate endorsed on phytosanitary certificate
- • Legality/FSC chain-of-custody documents
- • Arrival measurement by surveyor
Certifications available
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • FSC chain of custody
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list (measurement list)
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin
- • Phytosanitary certificate with treatment endorsement
- • Plant-quarantine import permit
- • Fumigation certificate
- • Legality / FSC certificate
- • CITES permit (listed species only)
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India importsLine: Timber: logs, sawn wood, veneer, MDF | 6,971 | verified | static.pib.gov.in |
DGFT 'Wood & wood products' FY25 6,971 -> FY26 6,778 (-2.8%); Comtrade ch.44 USD 2.48 bn CY2025; wood panels Rs 3,431 cr FY25 (FIPPI)
Import routes
Frequently asked questions
What permits are needed to import logs into India?
A plant-quarantine import permit issued before shipment and a phytosanitary certificate from the origin endorsed with the required treatment, such as debarking and fumigation, under the PQ Order 2003. Logs must enter through a notified port.
Which ports handle most timber imports in India?
Kandla (Gandhidham) is the largest timber-import hub, followed by Tuticorin, Mumbai/Nhava Sheva and Kolkata.
Can I import teak from Myanmar?
Myanmar has banned log exports since 2014 and its timber trade faces sanctions and legality concerns, so we do not recommend it. Plantation teak and other species from verified sources are safer.
Do plywood and MDF imports need BIS certification?
Yes. Plywood and MDF are under BIS QCOs, so the overseas mill needs a BIS licence. Logs and sawn timber are not under a QCO.
Which countries supply timber to India?
New Zealand (pine), Malaysia (tropical hardwoods), the USA (hardwood lumber), Australia and African countries such as Gabon (sawn timber only).
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