Vietnam's Timber Exports to Japan During 2018-2021 with a focus on products made using imported high-risk species

Vietnam plays an important role in the global timber supply chain. The country now ranks second in Asia and fifth globally in timber product export value. At present, Vietnam supplies timber products to over 140 countries and territories. At the same time, Vietnam relies on imported raw materials from a large number of sources. Imports of logs and sawn timber have substantially contributed to the development and expansion of Vietnam’s timber industry. Annually, Vietnam imports 5–6 million m3 of logs and sawn timber, 30–40% of which are tropical species, and the remaining 60–70% are temperate species. An important strategy to facilitate trade in legally and sustainably produced timber is for importers to gather information about the timber concerned, assess the risks, and reduce them where necessary (due diligence). On the other hand, for businesses importing timber products from countries like Vietnam that import raw timber materials from several other countries, including tropical ones, process them, and export products, it is difficult to identify timber species and the country of harvest, which poses a challenge in conducting due diligence due to the complexity of the supply chain and leads to concerns about associated risks in timber legality.

Using risk criteria stipulated by the Vietnam legal framework, this technical report identifies the high-risk imported species in timber products exported from Vietnam and generates recommendations for stakeholders in import countries, and provides recommendations for stakeholders in import countries.