Wood and furniture industry
For Polish exporters of timber and furniture who need certainty that the goods arrive on time and without customs issues.
Cartrag organises sea freight of timber, wood materials and furniture - exports to Western Europe, the USA, Canada and Asia, as well as imports of wood raw materials. Customs handling, packing and securing compliant with ISPM 15, and a dedicated forwarding contact on every shipment.
Typical wood and furniture cargo
| Cargo type | Characteristics | Sensitivity |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture and furniture elements | Pallets, cartons, large dimensions | Moisture, surface damage |
| Sawn timber and structural wood | Large volumes, FCL | Moisture, mould, phytosanitary requirements |
| Wood-based panels (MDF, HDF, plywood) | Heavy, moisture-sensitive, ISPM 15 does not apply | Deformation, swelling |
| Roundwood and logs | OOG or bulk, irregular dimensions | Phytosanitary requirements, ISPM 15 |
| Sawmill and woodworking machinery | OOG, point loads | Dimensions, anti-corrosion protection |
| Pellets and biomass | Large volumes, loose or big-bags | Moisture, self-ignition when poorly stored |
Logistics challenges for wood and furniture cargo
Timber and furniture exports set sea forwarding requirements that a standard container booking does not solve:
- Phytosanitary requirements and ISPM 15. Wood exports outside the EU require heat treatment (HT) and IPPC marking. Non-compliance means the goods are stopped at the destination port.
- Moisture in sea transport. Timber and wood-based panels absorb moisture over a 30-50 day voyage. Proper protection - barrier films, moisture absorbers, a stowage plan - decides the condition of the goods after unloading.
- Irregular dimensions. Sawn timber and structural elements often require non-standard container selection and cargo arrangement.
- Export seasonality. The peak before trade fairs (Milan, Cologne, High Point) means pressure on carrier space and loading deadlines.
- Export documentation. The USA (Lacey Act), Canada and Australia require declarations of wood species and country of origin in addition to ISPM 15. Incomplete documentation holds the container at the destination port.
- Space availability on non-European routes. There are few services from Gdynia to the USA, Canada and Australia - early booking decides whether the deadline is met.
How Cartrag serves the wood and furniture industry
Cartrag organises sea freight for manufacturers and exporters of timber, wood materials and furniture comprehensively - from the carrier booking, through customs clearance in Gdynia, to delivery to the consignee's address. Every shipment is run by a dedicated forwarding contact.
- For exports to the USA, Canada and Australia: Cartrag coordinates full export documentation - phytosanitary certificates, Lacey Act declarations, ISPM 15 certificates - and handles customs clearance at every stage.
- For moisture-sensitive timber and wood-based panels: professional packing and securing as part of the Container Packing service - VCI barrier films, moisture absorbers, ISPM 15-compliant IPPC dunnage wood.
- For sawmill machinery and woodworking equipment: OOG transport - equipment selection, road permits, route survey, delivery to the installation site.
Transport services for the wood and furniture industry
| Service | When in the wood industry |
|---|---|
| FCL | Large lots of sawn timber, panels, furniture - full containers for export to Europe, the USA, Canada, Asia |
| LCL | Small lots, collection samples, top-ups before trade fairs |
| OOG / Project Cargo | Sawmill machinery, woodworking equipment, oversized structural elements |
| Container Packing | Moisture protection, ISPM 15-compliant packing, securing of furniture and panels |
Certificates and requirements in wood industry transport
| Requirement | Scope of Cartrag's handling |
|---|---|
| ISPM 15 / IPPC | Packing and securing compliant with the standard - HT-certified dunnage wood |
| Phytosanitary certificates | Coordination of export documentation required by the destination country |
| Lacey Act (USA) | Preparation of the wood species and country of origin declaration |
| Certificates of origin (EUR.1, FORM A) | Documentation for customs preferences in the destination country |
| AEO customs clearance | Handled in cooperation with a customs agency |
Wood and furniture transport - frequently asked questions
Exports outside the EU require ISPM 15 compliance - heat treatment (HT) and IPPC marking. For the USA, Canada and Australia, a Lacey Act declaration with wood species and country of origin is also required. Cartrag coordinates documentation for the specific destination country's requirements.
VCI barrier films, moisture absorbers, a proper stowage plan. For panels and upholstered furniture, additionally shrink wrapping and humidity indicators. The scope is matched to the specific cargo and route.
FCL from Gdynia to the US East Coast - approximately 30-45 days.
Yes - FCL and LCL in both directions, with full phytosanitary documentation and export customs clearance in Gdynia.
Yes - as OOG cargo on a flat rack, open top or a conventional vessel. Cartrag runs the whole process from feasibility analysis to delivery at the installation site.
Since March 2025, the USA has applied a 20% tariff on EU furniture, including Polish products. For exporters this means higher costs on the consignee's side and the need for more careful shipment planning, including cargo consolidation and freight cost optimisation. Cartrag advises on the optimal transport method.
YOUR CONTACT
Paweł | forwarding at Cartrag
"In forwarding, experience matters most when the plan stops working."