How to Source Pine Plywood from Brazil for the US Housing Market

May 17, 2026·8 min readUSAsourcing

The US housing market is the world's largest single market for structural plywood. Brazilian pine plywood has been supplying that market for decades — but the compliance requirements, grade equivalencies, and documentation expectations are different from Europe or the Middle East. This guide is written specifically for US importers.

Why Brazilian pine for the US market?

Anti-dumping advantage. The US has active anti-dumping and countervailing duty (CVD) orders on hardwood plywood and multilayer wood flooring from China — adding 25%+ to Chinese product costs. Brazilian pine plywood faces no anti-dumping measures.

CARB P2 availability. Brazilian mills producing for the US market are certified to TSCA Title VI (CARB P2) by approved third-party certifiers (Bureau Veritas, SGS, Intertek). CARB P2 documentation is standard on all US-destined product.

Direct Atlantic routing. Paranaguá (PR) to Houston: 12–16 days. To New York/Baltimore: 14–18 days. Faster and cheaper than sourcing from Southeast Asia or Chile for most US ports.

Grade equivalencies: Brazil vs US standards

US grade	Brazilian equivalent	Notes
CDX (Exterior)	C+/C with WBP bond	Most direct equivalent; PS2-10 available on request
Sheathing (OSB alternative)	CDX pine plywood	Used where plywood is specified over OSB
A/C Exterior	A/C grade, WBP	Appearance on one side
B/B Interior	B/B, E1	Furniture-grade; not structural
Sanded face (SCS)	A/B or B/B sanded	Shop cabinet panels

CARB P2 / TSCA Title VI compliance

All plywood sold in the US must comply with CARB Phase 2 / TSCA Title VI formaldehyde emission standards. For softwood plywood:

Limit: 0.05 ppm (hardwood plywood, veneer core)
Certification: Third-party certifier (TPC) approval required
Labelling: CARB P2 stamp required on each panel or bundle

EBP provides with every US-bound shipment:

CARB P2 / TSCA Title VI compliance certificate
Third-party lab test report (emission levels)
Mill-specific CARB certificate
Packing list with CARB P2 identification

T1-11 siding for the US market

T1-11 is a grooved plywood siding panel widely used in residential construction in the US. Brazilian pine is a leading origin for T1-11 exported to the US.

Specifications:

Thickness: 9mm (3/8"), 11mm (7/16"), 15/32"
Grooves: 4" or 8" on centre
Glue: WBP exterior phenolic
Grade: Exterior, APA-rated
Standards: PS1-09

EBP stocks T1-11 in standard groove spacings. Lead time is typically 4–6 weeks for production + 12–16 days transit to US Gulf ports.

Logistics: FOB Paranaguá to US ports

Destination port	Transit time	Typical routing
Houston, TX	12–16 days	Direct service
New Orleans, LA	13–17 days	Direct service
Baltimore, MD	15–19 days	Direct or transshipment
New York/NJ	16–20 days	Direct or transshipment
Los Angeles	28–35 days	Via Panama Canal

FOB Paranaguá is the standard Incoterm. CIF to US ports is available on request.

Documentation package for US customs

Every EBP shipment to the US includes:

Commercial invoice and packing list
Bill of Lading
Certificate of Origin (Brazil)
Phytosanitary certificate (MAPA)
ISPM 15 heat treatment certificate
CARB P2 / TSCA Title VI compliance certificate + lab report
FSC transaction certificate (if FSC grade ordered)