Importing timber into Australia

[peter.coombe]

It is about to become much more difficult to import timber into Australia.

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2011B00256

How this will affect small importers like us I am not sure, because I don't know what a regulated timber product is, but we have 2 years to comply. Basically this is the Aussie equivalent to the US Lacey Act, but it appears to be more sensible and only applies to imports, not exports (unlike Lacey) Like Lacey, it requires due dilligence by the importer. It has passed the house of reps, not sure if it has passed the senate yet, but it is certainly coming.

[Bruce McC]

Passed the Senate on 19 November and received assent on 23 November 2102.

[martintaylor]

So, another good reason to use Aussie timbers!

[Tod Gilding]

I'm Not sure that it will cause any problems for us Peter,as long as it is not illegal to log the timber in it's native country.

para 7 definitions

illegally logged, in relation to timber, means harvested in contravention of laws in force in the place (whether or not in Australia) where the timber was harvested.

[kiwigeo]

Another good reason to build up a stash.

[peter.coombe]

I'm Not sure that it will cause any problems for us Peter,as long as it is not illegal to log the timber in it's native country.

Yes but depending on what a regulated timber product is, we might need to show due dilligence - i.e. you will need to show Aussie Customs you have taken reasonable steps to prove that the timber was legally logged. This means getting documentation from the supplier, documentation that might not exist even if it was legally logged. So, more hassle and delays, and probably more expense. Now whether spruce mandolin/guitar/violin tops are a "regulated timber product" I don't know. I could not find anything that defines what a regulated timber product is. This legislation is mainly aimed at stopping the vast quantities of illegally logged wood and wood products that come from Indonesia and China so might not affect us. Dunno.

Another good reason to build up a stash.

Yep, or only import FSC wood.

[peter.coombe]

From the legislation section 9 (3) -

"(3) A regulated timber product is a timber product prescribed by the regulations."

So looks like the definition is determined by regulation, which means it can be changed at any time by the government without needing to go through parliament. But the regulations still need to be published, so we are in the dark at the moment.

More confusion -

"Importers will be required to comply with the prohibition provisions for unregulated timber products immediately upon commencement of the Bill. Importers and processors of regulated timber products will have two years from commencement to comply with the prohibition of regulated products and due diligence provisions of the Bill."

"Regulated timber product will be products that the Commonwealth seeks to regulate for the purpose of minimising the risk of containing illegally logged timber. The selection of timber products for regulation will be undertaken in consultation with key stakeholders based on an economic analysis of the coverage, value and volume of timber products imported into Australia and an analysis of their risk profile using appropriate criteria and indicators. The results of this work will be provided by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences in the development of regulations."

"Subclause (3) defines the term ‘regulated timber product’ as a timber product prescribed by the regulations. Although work is still being undertaken, it is expected that a timber product will be prescribed on the basis of an economic analysis of its product type, value and volume. The economic analysis and risk assessment would be undertaken using appropriate criteria and indicators. Industry and key stakeholders will continue to be consulted in the prescribing of timber products to be regulated under the Bill. An outreach program is proposed to ensure importers and processors are familiar with the requirements of the Bill by the time the regulations enter into force and to facilitate their compliance with clause 9(1).

This clause does not come into force until 2 years after commencement of the Bill to enable importers to develop and test their due diligence procedures to ensure they comply with the requirements for regulated timber products as provided for in the Bill."

I would expect that Spruce for music instruments would be of small economic value and volume so might not be "regulated". If "unregulated" then we need to comply now, but if we don't know and it is not yet defined????

[peter.coombe]

I found a draft definition here

http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pd ... tion-a.pdf

So, guitar tops, backs and sides are less than 6mm so they would be unregulated according to 4407. Ebony and Rosewood fingerboards and bridge blanks would also be unregulated. Spruce mandolin/vioin tops as well as Maple backs would be regulated.

[simso]

I have ten pallets of wood coming in at the momment, the restrictions and rules are certainly making things more difficult.

I have a feeling within a year or so even commercial purchases of wood will become almost impossible to get into australia.

[peter.coombe]

More information -

http://www.daff.gov.au/forestry/interna ... al-logging

Looks like at the moment the only thing we need to worry about is that the wood has been legally logged - i.e. don't knowingly import illegally logged wood or you will be in big trouble. If it is a regulated product then due dilligence comes into force in November 2014. If not a regulated product then you just need to make sure it has been legally logged. Guitar back and sides are less than 6mm so will be unregulated so should be ok to import without documentation so long as it has been legally logged. Fingerboard blanks, bridge blanks, mandolin/violin tops and backs will be regulated so will require documentation. This won't be finalised until May 2013, so it would be a good idea to stock up before then. Also don't use illegally logged Aussie woods, that is covered by the legislation.

Musical instruments are not listed in the draft list of regulated products, so I assume they will be unregulated. Shell products and exported wood products are not covered by the legislation. So, looks like we won't have the goddam horrible mess they have in the USA under Lacey.