Timber trade
glossary

The seller delivers the goods on board the vessel at the named port of shipment (e.g., FOB Santos). Risk and costs transfer to the buyer once the cargo clears the ship's rail. Most Brazilian timber exports are quoted FOB Santos or FOB Paranaguá.

The seller pays ocean freight and minimum insurance to the named destination port. Risk transfers to the buyer once on board. CIF quotes are common when buyers prefer an all-in price to their port.

A single consignee fills an entire container — typically a 20ft (≈21–22 m³ of plywood) or 40ft (≈44 m³). FCL is the standard format for Brazilian timber exports and offers the lowest freight cost per m³.

Cargo from multiple shippers consolidated into one container. Higher cost per m³ than FCL and longer transit due to consolidation/deconsolidation. Suitable for trial orders or volumes under ~10 m³.

An international non-profit that sets standards for responsible forest management. FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) certification traces wood from certified forests through the supply chain to the end product. Required by many European and North American retailers.

The strictest formaldehyde emission standard for composite wood products sold in the USA. Required for products entering California and accepted nationwide. CARB P2 limits formaldehyde to 0.05 ppm for hardwood plywood — lower than the EU's E1 class.

International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15. Requires all solid wood packaging material (pallets, crates, dunnage) to be heat-treated or fumigated with methyl bromide to prevent the spread of invasive insects. All Brazilian timber exports use ISPM-15 compliant packaging marked with the HT stamp.

EU Regulation 2023/1115 requires importers to prove that wood products entering the EU were not produced on land deforested after December 2020. Operators must conduct due diligence and submit a geolocation statement. Applies to plywood, sawn wood, furniture, and paper.

Timber dried in a controlled oven (kiln) to a specified moisture content — typically 8–12% for structural use or 6–8% for furniture and flooring. Reduces weight (lowering freight cost), improves stability, and prevents mould during shipping. Brazilian pine sawn timber is available KD or green (fresh-sawn).

A glue-bond durability classification for plywood. WBP adhesive (typically phenol-formaldehyde, PF) maintains its bond after boiling in water — qualifying for exterior and structural use. The equivalent EN standard is Class 3 (EN 314-2). All Brazilian pine plywood exports use WBP/Class 3 adhesive.

Plywood or MDF bonded with melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) adhesive. Resists short-term moisture exposure (Class 2 in EN standards) but is not suitable for permanent exterior use. Standard for indoor furniture, cabinetry, and shop-fitting.

European classes for formaldehyde off-gassing from wood panels. E1 (≤0.124 mg/m³) is the EU legal limit for products sold in Europe. E0/E0.5 is increasingly demanded by premium furniture brands. E2 panels (≤1.0 mg/m³) are not permitted for indoor use in the EU since 2023.

A plywood grade designation: C face, D back, X (exterior/WBP glue). CDX is the workhorse structural sheathing grade used in wall, roof, and floor construction. Allows open knots and minor defects — appearance is secondary to structural integrity.

Two-letter plywood grades where the first letter is the face veneer quality and the second is the back. "A" indicates a sanded, repaired surface free from open defects. "B" allows tight knots and minor repairs. "C" allows open knots up to 25mm. Grades determine price and suitability — A/B for visible surfaces, B/C for semi-concealed applications.

A legal document issued by the carrier (shipping line) that serves as a receipt of shipment, a document of title, and a contract of carriage. The original B/L is required to take possession of goods at the destination port. Payment term "70% against copy of B/L" means the buyer pays the balance when the B/L copy is emailed — before the original is released.

The smallest quantity a supplier will accept per order. For Brazilian timber exporters, MOQ is typically one 20ft FCL (≈21 m³ of plywood or ≈15 m³ of sawn timber). Below this, LCL or mixed-container arrangements may be possible at a premium.

A certificate issued by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) confirming that a timber shipment has been inspected and is free from plant pests and diseases. Required by importing countries as a condition of customs clearance. Typically issued within 48 hours of loading.

CE marking on structural plywood declares conformity with EN 636 (performance standard) and EN 13986 (declaration of performance). Required for plywood used in permanent construction works in the EU. EN 636-2 covers use in humid conditions; EN 636-3 covers exterior use.

A preliminary bill of sale sent by the exporter before shipment is confirmed. Contains product specs, pricing, payment terms, and delivery timeline. The buyer approves the PI and pays the deposit to initiate production. Not a demand for payment — it is a conditional offer.

Estimated Time of Arrival (at destination port) and Estimated Time of Departure (from origin port). Transit times from Brazil: USA East Coast 14–18 days, Europe 18–25 days, Middle East 22–30 days, Australia 30–38 days.

A thin slice of wood (typically 0.6–3mm) peeled or sliced from a log. In plywood manufacturing, multiple veneers are glued together with grain directions alternating (cross-grain construction) to produce a stable, strong panel. The outermost veneer defines the face grade.

Bank wire transfer. The most common payment method in Brazilian timber trade. Standard terms: 30% T/T deposit to start production, 70% T/T balance against copy of the Bill of Lading. For established relationships, 100% T/T before shipment or L/C at sight may be arranged.