Importing and processing timber products – Australia’s illegal logging laws
As of 3 March 2025, Australia’s illegal logging laws have changed. Importantly, this includes changes to due diligence requirements for importers and processors of regulated timber and timber products.
- Importers need to provide notice to the department when importing regulated timber products. However,this requirement is not yet in effect.
- A new IT system to facilitate importers providing these notices is still being developed
- It is anticipated that key due diligence information such as species and location of harvest will be required as part of the notice.
- The notice will most likely be in the form of an e-declaration.
- In the interim, importers of wood, pulp and paper products are still expected to meet their due diligence requirements and keep the prescribed records.
Importing and processing timber products – Australia’s illegal logging laws – DAFF
The below steps will guide you in establishing and using a due diligence system for the purposes of the requirements under the Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 (Act) and the Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024 (Rules).
A person who imports regulated timber products must have a due diligence system in place for importing such products. Failure to meet the due diligence requirement(s) is an offence and the person may be liable for a civil penalty.
A good due diligence system will help you assess the risk that the product contains illegally logged timber and, where appropriate, mitigate the risk.
As an importer, you have a responsibility to obtain certain information and assess specific matters, including:
- what timber is in your product and where it has come from
- identifying and assessing the risk that the timber has been illegally harvested.
If you import product/s which contain illegally logged timber, you may commit an offence and could face significant penalties.