Exporting native (indigenous) timber and timber products

Unfinished indigenous timber commodities may be exported only after obtaining approval from MPI.

There are 4 categories unfinished timber can be exported under:

• any grade of sawn beech or rimu:
• from a forest subject to a sustainable forest management (SFM) plan or permit
• with a cross-sectional area per piece of no more than 30,000 square millimetres
• stumps or roots:
• of any species
• either whole or sawn
• salvaged from non-indigenous forest land or sourced from a forest subject to a sustainable forest management (SFM) plan or permit
• tree fern trunks or fibre
• taken from an SFM plan or permit forest, or
• taken from indigenous forest land without an SFM plan or permit with the prior written approval of MPI, or
• taken from non-indigenous forest land
• indigenous logs or timber:
• from a planted indigenous forest, or
• from a forest covered by a Permanent Forests Sink Covenant.

Find out more about the Permanent Forest Sink Initiative

For all exports, MPI must receive a notice of intention to export (ITE) a minimum of 10 days before export begins. Failure to provide an ITE is a breach of the Forests Act.

When we get an ITE, we'll check the timber source. A forestry officer will also do a visual inspection to ensure the timber being exported matches the description given in the ITE.

• Notice of intention to export indigenous timber [PDF, 343 KB]

'Finished or manufactured indigenous timber products' may be exported without MPI approval.

A finished or manufactured indigenous timber product is any indigenous timber product:

• that is a product in its own right
• that has been finished or manufactured into its final form
• is ready for immediate use or installation without any further modification
• is a complete item that is ready to be used immediately or a component of an item that is a product that is ready to be installed.

Some items don't meet these requirements

Some items are not considered to be products covered for export under these criteria, including these (or similar items):

• dressed or rough-sawn timber
• mouldings
• panelling
• furniture blanks, joinery blanks or building blanks.

Spot checks

Exporters regularly contact MPI to assess whether their proposed exports comply with the Forests Act.

If contacted, a forestry officers will do a visual inspection to make an assessment about whether the product meets the definition of a finished or manufactured indigenous timber product.

Personal effects made from indigenous timber may be exported without MPI's approval.

Personal effects are small items intended only for personal use and usually worn or carried on the body – such as a wooden hand-mirror, key-ring or hairbrush.

Personal effects may also include indigenous timber items packed with the owner's belongings provided MPI is satisfied the owner is relocating overseas permanently.

If you are unsure whether your item fits this category, contact MPI for advice.