How Our Timber Export Process Works
From your first enquiry to the container arriving at your port: specification, quotation, production, inspection, documents and shipping.
Buying timber from Central Africa is straightforward when one supplier manages every step. This is how a typical order moves from enquiry to delivery.
1. Enquiry and specification
Tell us the species, product form, sizes, grade, moisture content, volume and destination port. If you are unsure which species fits your project, our team will recommend options from our 30-species catalogue.
2. Quotation and pro-forma invoice
We confirm price per cubic metre, availability, lead time and Incoterms, usually FOB Douala, Kribi, Owendo or Pointe-Noire, or CFR/CIF to your port. Quotations are valid for 14 days.
3. Payment terms
Typical terms are a deposit by bank transfer with the balance against copy shipping documents, or an irrevocable letter of credit at sight. Production starts when the deposit or L/C is received.
4. Production, cutting and drying
Logs are selected and sawn to your cutting list. Joinery and furniture grades are kiln dried to 10–12% moisture content; heavy structural sizes are supplied air dried or fresh sawn.
5. Inspection and grading
Before loading, every parcel is checked for species, dimensions, moisture content, heartwood and defects, and graded to NHLA or ATIBT export rules or your own specification. Independent third-party inspection can be arranged on request.
6. Loading and export documents
Bundles are strapped, end sealed where needed and loaded into 20 ft or 40 ft containers. You receive loading photos, the packing list and container and seal numbers before the container is sealed.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice and packing list | Customs value and volume of every bundle |
| Bill of lading | Title to the goods and release at destination |
| Certificate of origin | Country of harvest and preferential duty where applicable |
| Phytosanitary certificate | Plant-health clearance at import |
| Legality and chain-of-custody documents | Due diligence under EUDR, UKTR and the Lacey Act |
| CITES export permit | Required for Mahogany, Padouk, Doussie, Afrormosia and Bubinga |
| Fumigation certificate | Where required by the destination country |
7. Shipping and arrival
After departure we send the bill of lading and vessel details so you can track the shipment. Typical sea transit is 3–5 weeks to Europe, 4–6 weeks to the Middle East and Asia, and 5–7 weeks to the Americas.
Lead times and container loads
| 20 ft container | 40 ft container | |
|---|---|---|
| Sawn timber volume | about 18–25 m³ | about 40–50 m³ |
| Stock sizes ready to load | 2–4 weeks after order confirmation | |
| Custom or kiln-dried orders | 4–8 weeks after order confirmation | |
Full details are in our shipping and delivery policy.
Start your order
Send your species, sizes, volume and destination port to sales@globaltimbertradehub.com and we will reply with a firm quote within one business day.