Sawn timber import controls

 

Not all tree species are subject to quarantine controls.  Only those which are known to host harmful pests or diseases are subject to special requirements, or where the risk is too great and no effective treatment is known.

Some species are only controlled where they originate in certain countries where relevant pests are known to occur.  Those which are currently controlled are:

• all conifers (Coniferae) (eg ‘European redwood (Pine) and white wood (Spruce)’, Maritime pine, spruce, pine fir (SPF), Western red cedar, etc) originating in third countries (except wood which originates in a European third country and which is bark free);
• maple (Acer saccharum) (hard maple, sugar maple, rock maple): originating in the USA or Canada;
• Sweet Chestnut (castanea): originating in any third country (except wood which is bark-free;
• Oak (Quercus) originating in USA;
• Plane (Platanus): originating in the USA or Armenia;
• Poplar (Populus): originating in any country in the American continent.

The basic control for most wood products is bark removal or some form of special treatment, eg kiln drying or heat treatment.  All imported consignments of controlled sawn wood material must be accompanied with a phytosanitary, mill or industry certificate.  For details of the special landing conditions for relevant material entering Great Britain see schedule 4 of Plant Health (Forestry) Order 2005

Importers of controlled timber must be registered with the Forestry Commission as Registered Forestry Traders.  In practice this can be the importer of the material or their agent broker.  To receive a Registered Forestry Traders Application Pack, please send an email to plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or write to Forestry Commission, Plant Health Service, Silvan House, 231 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 7AT or telephone 0131-314-6414 .  

Importers must notify the Forestry Commission of their intention to land controlled material at least 3 days before the intended date of landing.  This can be done by completing an Inspection Request Form and submitting it to the relevant inspector.

Once the relevant material and its accompanying phytosanitary, mill or industry certificate has been inspected and found to meet our landing requirements the Inspector will issue a Certificate of Clearance form PHF28 to release the material from Customs control.

Payment for the inspection charge can either be made at the time of the inspection or invoices can be raised for those importers or agents who operate a credit account. Details of payments and charges are provided in our Import Inspection Fees for Wood, Wood Products and Bark guide.