SNEDDENS - New Zealand's No.1 International Freight & Shipping Specialist

Log Shipping From New Zealand

Inspecting & Exporting Shipped in Containers

New Zealand is one of the world’s leading exporters of logs and timber products. Its vast and sustainable forest resources make it a major player in the global timber market. The exportation of logs, however, is a complex process that involves various stages, from the harvesting of logs to their eventual shipment to international markets.

Sneddens are experienced in all aspects of shipping, sea freight bookings, loading containers, export documentation and organising compliance.

Here’s an overview of our services in this area.

1. Export Documentation and Compliance

Before any logs can be exported from New Zealand, extensive documentation and compliance checks are required. New Zealand’s forestry sector is highly regulated to ensure both environmental sustainability and market competitiveness. The government enforces regulations on forest management practices, including replanting requirements, to maintain the country’s reputation for responsible timber sourcing.

Exporters must obtain a variety of documents to comply with both local and international regulations. Sneddens are well-versed in all these aspects and can do all these on your behalf.

These documents include:

Export Permits: Issued by New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), these permits are required for the legal export of logs.
Phytosanitary Certificates: Issued to ensure that logs are free of pests and diseases, this certificate is essential for international shipping and is often a requirement for many countries.
Customs Declarations: To comply with both New Zealand and importing country customs laws, exporters must provide accurate declarations of the goods being shipped, their value, and origin.

Given the complexity of these requirements, exporting logs from New Zealand demands careful attention to detail and strict adherence to legal and environmental standards.

2. Shipping and Logistics

The logistics of shipping logs from New Zealand to international markets are a crucial step in the export process. The primary export ports for timber are Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and Lyttleton. Sneddens Global Logistics have contracts with the major shipping companies to most ports around the world.

The shipping process involves several stages:

Loading: Logs are loaded onto container ships at the export ports. Containerised shipments are generally preferred for higher-value, more processed timber products.
Transport to Destination Ports: The logs are shipped to international destinations such as China, Vietnam, Japan, Korea, and India, which are the top buyers of New Zealand logs. Shipping routes are well-established, though the length of transit varies depending on the destination.

Logistics is a critical aspect of the timber export process, and shipping costs, port congestion, and seasonal weather conditions can all affect the smoothness and efficiency of the process. Sneddens are well-versed in keeping an eye on all these problems.

3. Inspection and Quality Control

Inspection and quality control are vital components in the process of log shipping. New Zealand’s forestry industry maintains rigorous quality standards to ensure that logs meet both local and international requirements. This inspection process includes several steps, with various parties involved:

MPI Compliance Inspection: A critical part of the inspection process is ensuring that the logs are free from pests and diseases that could be harmful to the importing country’s ecosystems. New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) conducts regular inspections of exported logs to ensure compliance with international phytosanitary standards. Sneddens have timber yards at many NZ ports and can approve your timber.

The inspection process ensures that only high-quality, safe, and environmentally compliant logs are exported, protecting New Zealand’s reputation as a reliable and responsible supplier of timber.

Exporting, shipping, and inspecting logs from New Zealand is a highly complex and regulated process that plays a crucial role in the country’s economy which Sneddens Global Logistics has a great reputation in organising.

From rigorous quality control and international shipping logistics, each stage in the process requires careful planning, coordination, and compliance with both domestic and international standards. Sneddens Global Logistics are specialists in timber exporting, expertly managing every stage of the process with the highest standards of care and compliance.