- Notice and information requirements (NIR)
- Global Legal and Sustainable Timber Forum 2025
- International news
Notice and information requirements (NIR)
The Community Protection Question (CPQ) has now been removed from the Integrated Cargo System. Thank you for your patience while we worked with the Department of Home Affairs to have this removed as part of the reforms to Australia's illegal logging laws.
The requirement for importers and processors to provide notice to the department when importing or processing regulated timber and timber products is still not in effect. In the meantime, importers and processors are still required to meet their due diligence requirements and keep the prescribed records.
The requirement for notice of importing or processing regulated timber and timber products will commence once we have the appropriate IT system in place for our regulated community to submit e-declarations.
We will provide notice and guidance before you are expected to provide e-declarations, and will seek comment from the regulated community in developing the IT system.
Global Legal and Sustainable Timber Forum 2025
The third annual Global Legal and Sustainable Timber Forum will take place from 23–24 September 2025 in Macao SAR, China. Under the theme "From Forest to Home – An International Dialogue on Emerging Consumer Trends and Supply Chains Innovation", the forum will promote international dialogue on strengthening legal and sustainable timber supply chains in the face of evolving consumer demands and market dynamics.
Co-hosted by the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) and the Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, the forum will bring together around 700-800 participants including wood enterprises and trading companies, industrial and business associations, governments, international organisations, research institutions and more.
Specialised sub-forums organised by partner agencies will also focus on issues related to timber legality and sustainability among different stakeholders, including:
- Timber legality and sustainability in light of global trade barriers
- Sustainable timber resources, markets, and trade
- Market Trends and Industry Innovation in Furniture & Customized Home Furnishings
- Empowering the Value of Ecological Products through Forestry Supply Chain Finance
For more information and registration details, visit the official website.
International News – Illegal Logging: a globally significant issue
Media and NGO reports continue to highlight the challenges facing countries in dealing with illegal logging:
- In January 2025, Earthsight released a report on their 9 month investigation into the laundering of Russian birch plywood through China and multiple EU countries.
- In February 2025, INTERPOL released information on forestry (and wildlife) related arrests and seizures undertaken during their one-month Operation Thunder 2024 exercise
- In October 2024, Mongabay released reports on their investigations into the exportation of illegally logged timber from Cambodia which is manufactured into plywood and flooring products - Angkor Plywood, the 'timber cartel' shipping Cambodian forests internationally and Cambodian logging syndicate tied to major U.S. wood flooring supply chains
- In August 2024, Financial Times released a brief (7 minute) video on global forest detective initiatives being undertaken to tackle the illegal wood trade
- In Brazil, authorities have seized massive stocks of illegal timber after raids in the Amazon
- In Brazil, recent reports indicate that illegal logging in the Amazon increased by 19% over 2022-2023, further threatening Indigenous communities
- In Malaysia, authorities made recent arrests for suspected involvement in illegal logging and illegal wood processing at a sawmill
- In Uganda, authorities made recent arrests for connections with illegal logging and timber trafficking
- In Thailand, officials made recent arrests for connections with illegal logging in Prachuap Khiri Khan province and Tak province
- In Pakistan, authorities made recent arrests, including senior officers and staff of the Forest Department for matters related to illicit timber trading and illegal timber found during routine highway patrols
- In Vietnam, forest rangers are working around the clock in the Central Highlands to protect an ancient rosewood forest from illegal loggers
Further information - See the department's illegal logging website for information and resources
- Email the department's compliance branch
- Call the department during business hours (8.30 am to 5.30 pm) on 1800 657 313 or +61 2 6272 3933 outside Australia
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