Not every timber buyer needs a full container of one species. A joinery shop may want sapele for frames, iroko for sills and a little wenge for feature work. An exotic wood dealer needs a range of species in small quantities. A landscaper wants tali decking, okan posts and iroko for benches. For these buyers, a mixed container is the answer. A well-planned mixed container timber order lets you buy direct from source, get the species and sizes you need, and spread freight over the whole load.
In this guide we explain how mixed containers work, how to balance heavy and light species, how timber is packed and labelled, what documents you need, how costs are calculated, and how to plan your first mixed order. At Global Timber Trade Hub we regularly load mixed containers of African hardwoods for buyers around the world.
In short
- A mixed container combines several species, thicknesses or products in one shipment.
- Heavy species fill a container by weight; light species fill it by volume.
- Mixing heavy and light woods makes the best use of space and weight limits.
- Each species is packed in separate, labelled bundles.
- Documents list every species separately with botanical names.
- Mixed loads are ideal for smaller buyers and first orders.
Why order a mixed container?
Buying direct from Africa usually means buying by the container. But a single species may be more than you can use in a reasonable time, tying up cash and warehouse space. A mixed container lets you order exactly what your business needs across several species and sizes, while still benefiting from container freight rates and direct pricing. It also lets you try new species in small quantities without committing to a full load, and it simplifies logistics compared with buying the same timber from several suppliers.
Weight vs volume
The key to a good mixed container is balancing weight and volume. Containers have both a volume limit and a weight limit, and shipping lines and road rules set maximum gross weights. Dense species such as azobe, okan, tali, mukulungu and wenge reach the weight limit before the container is full. Light species such as ayous, frake, okoume and ilomba fill the volume before reaching the weight limit. By combining dense and light species, you can use both limits efficiently.
| Species group | Examples | Typical dry density | Fills container by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very heavy | Azobe, okan, tali, mukulungu | about 900–1,100 kg/m³ | Weight |
| Heavy | Wenge, moabi, bilinga, padouk | about 750–900 kg/m³ | Weight or both |
| Medium | Sapele, sipo, iroko, makore | about 600–700 kg/m³ | Both |
| Light | Ayous, frake, okoume, ilomba | about 350–550 kg/m³ | Volume |
See our how much timber fits in a 40 ft container guide for typical volumes.
20 ft or 40 ft?
A 20 ft container has about half the volume of a 40 ft container but a similar maximum payload on many routes, so it suits heavy timber well. A 40 ft container suits light and medium species, or mixed loads with a good share of light wood. If your order is mostly dense decking and posts, a 20 ft box may be the most economical; if it is mostly joinery timber, a 40 ft box usually is. We can help you choose.
How mixed loads are packed
Each species and thickness is packed in its own bundle, strapped and labelled with species, grade, dimensions, number of pieces and volume. Heavy bundles go at the bottom and towards the centre of the container, light bundles on top. Bundles are secured to prevent movement at sea, and moisture absorbers can be added for kiln-dried stock. Packing in this way makes unloading and checking easy at destination.
Documents for mixed containers
- Commercial invoice listing each species, with botanical names, grades, volumes and prices.
- Packing list with every bundle, its species, sizes and volume.
- Bill of lading and certificate of origin.
- Phytosanitary certificate listing all species where required.
- CITES permits for any listed species, matching quantities exactly.
- Legal origin documents for each species.
Accurate, consistent documents are essential, because customs and plant health officers check each species. For US imports, the Lacey Act declaration must list each species; for EU imports, due diligence must cover each one. See our Lacey Act timber imports and EUDR timber compliance guides.
CITES species in mixed loads
If your mixed container includes CITES-listed species such as padouk, doussie, afrormosia, bubinga or African mahogany, each needs its own CITES export permit, and the whole container may wait until permits are issued. To avoid delays, plan CITES species early or ship them separately if timing is tight. See our CITES timber species guide.
How costs are calculated
Each species is priced separately per cubic metre FOB. Freight is charged per container, so your freight cost per cubic metre depends on how full the container is and the mix of species. A well-balanced load lowers freight per cubic metre for everything in it. Inspection, documentation and handling costs are shared across the load. See our timber shipping cost guide.
A worked example for a joinery and landscaping business
Consider a business that runs both a small joinery workshop and a landscaping team. The workshop needs sapele for doors and windows and iroko for sills. The landscaping team needs tali decking and okan posts for its summer projects. Ordering a full container of each would be far more than it can use, but buying from local merchants is expensive. Instead, it orders a mixed 40 ft container in late winter: around 15 cubic metres of kiln-dried sapele in two thicknesses, 4 cubic metres of iroko sill stock, 10 cubic metres of tali decking and 4 cubic metres of okan posts. The heavy tali and okan go at the bottom, the joinery timber on top. The combined weight stays under the limit and the space is well used. Each species arrives in clearly labelled bundles with its own lines on the invoice and packing list. The business saves compared with buying everything locally, and both teams have the timber they need for the season.
Sharing a container with another buyer
If your own needs are too small even for a mixed container, consider sharing one with another business, such as a nearby joiner or landscaper. Each buyer’s bundles are labelled separately, and the invoice and packing list can show each buyer’s portion. Agree in advance who is the importer of record and how costs and duties are split.
Lead times and payment
Mixed containers usually take as long as the slowest item, often 5–8 weeks for kiln-dried stock and longer if CITES species are included. For first orders, a letter of credit or a deposit with the balance against copy documents protects both sides. See our letter of credit for timber guide.
Planning a balanced mix
Planning a mixed container starts with your needs, then adjusts for weight and volume. First, list the species, grades, thicknesses and approximate volumes you want, in order of priority. Next, estimate the weight of each line by multiplying its volume by the typical density of the species at its moisture content. Add up the volumes and weights and compare them with the container’s limits. If you are well under the weight limit but at the volume limit, you have room to swap some light timber for heavier, more valuable stock. If you hit the weight limit with space to spare, add some light species such as ayous, frake or okoume to use the remaining volume, or switch to a 20 ft container. Keep the number of separate items sensible, because each extra species or thickness adds cutting, drying, grading and packing work. Finally, check lead times: the container ships when the slowest item is ready, so avoid adding a special item that takes weeks longer than the rest unless it is essential. We are happy to do this planning with you and suggest a mix that balances your priorities, cost and timing. See our kiln dried hardwood guide for drying lead times by species.
Unloading and checking
On arrival, photograph the container before and during unloading, check every bundle against the packing list and sample moisture content for kiln-dried species. Store each species separately and label bundles clearly so they are easy to find later.
Who mixed containers suit best
Mixed loads are ideal for joinery shops, furniture workshops, exotic wood dealers, landscapers, flooring companies and small distributors who need variety more than volume. They also suit larger buyers testing new species alongside their regular orders. See our wholesale hardwood lumber guide.
Tell us your priorities and we will propose a balanced load.
Common mistakes
- Too many tiny lots: very small bundles of many sizes add handling cost.
- All heavy species in a 40 ft box: you pay for empty space.
- CITES species holding up the load: plan permits early.
- Inconsistent documents: every species must match across papers.
Our honest advice
Mixed containers are the best way for smaller buyers to import African hardwood direct. Plan your mix to balance heavy and light species, keep the number of sizes sensible, allow time for any CITES permits and make sure every document lists each species clearly. Start with your best sellers and build from there.
Sources
- Intermodal container on Wikipedia
- The Wood Database for species densities.
Related guides
- How to import timber from Africa
- FOB vs CIF timber
- Exotic hardwood lumber
- Timber minimum order quantity
- Our export process
Frequently asked questions about a mixed container timber order
Can I order several species in one container?
Yes. Mixed containers are common and each species is packed and documented separately.
Is a 20 ft or 40 ft container better for mixed loads?
20 ft for mostly heavy timber, 40 ft for mostly light or medium timber.
Do CITES species delay a mixed container?
They can, because the whole load may wait for permits; plan them early.
How is freight shared in a mixed load?
Freight is per container, so a well-balanced load lowers the cost per cubic metre for everything.
Plan a mixed container
Send us your species, sizes and approximate volumes through our quote form. We will suggest a balanced load and quote FOB or CIF.