By Martina Kao    Photo：CANVA

Why start with compliance?
Wood flooring looks like a simple building material, but it touches multiple rules: species and source traceability, formaldehyde emissions, quarantine/plant health, and advance safety filings. Preparing the right documents early prevents holds at destination, de-vanning/rework, and claims.

1) HS/HTS classification & customs basics

Common classifications

• Engineered / multilayer wood flooring (assembled construction): HS 4418.75. In some jurisdictions (e.g., the U.S.), items with a face ply ≥ 4 mm fall under 4418.
• Bamboo flooring: typically 4418.73; parquet mosaic panels: 4418.74. Always cross-check national tariff schedules/WCO correlations.
• Plywood/veneered/laminated panels generally fall in 4412. If a wood-composite floor has a plywood (or similar) core with a thin veneer wear layer, it’s often classified in 4412 rather than 4418.

Specification details that affect classification, duty, and destination compliance

• Botanical species (genus + species) of the face layer, face-ply thickness, number of layers & construction, surface finish, and whether regulated composite substrates are used (e.g., HWPW/MDF/particleboard).

2) Destination compliance map (what your buyers care about)

European Union (EU)

• EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation): Covers timber and timber products. Large and medium enterprises: from 2025-12-30; SMEs: expected mid-2026. EUDR replaces EUTR—exporters should prepare now for stricter, broader due-diligence (legality + “deforestation-free” statements, geolocation traceability, etc.).
• ICS2 (Import Control System 2): From 2025-09-01 ICS2 fully replaces ICS1. Multiple filing under Release 3 is being extended to all modes by end-2025. Commodity descriptions must be specific and HS accurate.
• Anti-dumping (Chinese multilayer wood flooring, CN 4418 75 00; excludes bamboo and mosaic): Under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1342 (adopted 2025-07-11; published 2025-07-14), final duties of 21.3%–36.1% apply, with retroactive collection on registered imports from 2024-10-24; prior provisional duties are confirmed for collection. Quote terms and Incoterms should be evaluated in advance.

United States (US)

• Lacey Act declaration: If your product contains plant/wood material and its HTS code is listed in APHIS’s implementation schedule, you must file a plant declaration (genus + species and country of harvest). Phase VII took effect 2024-12-01, expanding coverage to more plant/wood classifications—check APHIS to confirm your HTS.
• TSCA Title VI (40 CFR Part 770): Products containing regulated composite wood products—hardwood plywood (HWPW), MDF (incl. thin MDF), particleboard—must meet emission limits (HWPW ≤ 0.05 ppm; PB ≤ 0.09 ppm; MDF ≤ 0.11 ppm; thin MDF ≤ 0.13 ppm) and follow procurement/label/recordkeeping rules. Third-party certification (TPC) applies to panel producers; from 2024-03-22, certain laminated product producers using non-NAF/PF adhesives are treated as HWPW producers and require TPC. Engineered wood flooring that uses these substrates must ensure panels are TSCA VI-compliant and maintain traceability.
• Section 301 tariffs (China-origin): Most items on Lists 1–3 and 4A remain subject to additional duties. Following the 2024 four-year review, some strategic items face staged increases. Check USITC “China Tariffs” for your HTS vs. 9903.88.xx line, and monitor USTR exclusion/extension notices (some exclusions currently extended through 2025-11-29).

Other markets

• United Kingdom: Timber legality is enforced under UK Timber Regulations (UKTR) and UK FLEGT; FLEGT-licensed timber is deemed compliant.
• Australia: The Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 and Illegal Logging Prohibition Rules 2024 require importer due diligence.
• CITES species (e.g., Dalbergia/rosewood): check the current annotations (e.g., #15) for permit requirements or exemptions.

3) Documents & data (seller–buyer collaboration)

• Commercial invoice: product name, HS/HTS, botanical species, layer count/face-ply thickness, origin, unit & total value, Incoterms.
• Packing list: package count, net/gross weight, CBM; packs per pallet and barcoding (recommended).
• Compliance evidence:
  • Lacey Act data (US) and supplier species/origin statements
  • TSCA Title VI compliance (if composite substrates are used)
  • EUDR due-diligence file (geolocation, legality evidence)
  • CITES permits (if any listed species are present)
• Transport docs: HBL/MBL, ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) data for ICS2, and origin/customs supporting documents.

4) Packaging, moisture & container stuffing (cut claim risk)

• Moisture control: Per NWFA/NOFMA practice, typical factory moisture content (MC) is 6–9%; manufacturing tolerances often allow 6–10%. Spot-check and record MC before shipment to prevent cupping/crowning.
• In-container humidity: Ocean moves face “container rain” (condensation). Use appropriate desiccants and liners/paper liners, and avoid “green pallets” (undried/unkiln-dried lumber pallets) that add moisture load.
• Wood packaging: Most destinations require ISPM-15 (heat treatment or fumigation) and the official mark for wood pallets/dunnage.
• Palletization: Standardize carton footprint; secure with corner boards + strapping + stretch wrap. Avoid overhang and excessive stack height to reduce vibration/tilt damage.

5) Transport & insurance tips

• Mode/lotting: Most shipments go FCL. If LCL, consider co-load compatibility—wood is hygroscopic and doesn’t mix well with certain chemicals or very humid cargo.
• Insurance: Choose ICC (A) and add wet damage/mold-related extensions (wording varies by insurer). Sums insured typically based on invoice CIF (or as agreed). Claims rely heavily on packaging evidence and MC records.
• Timeline control: For EU lanes, lock down ICS2 House-level filing timing and data ownership (carrier vs. forwarder vs. shipper) to avoid “Do Not Load” or arrival delays due to vague descriptions.

6) How TGL can help

TGL focuses on international segments (ocean/air), FTZ/bonded solutions, trucking and last-mile via partners, and overseas warehousing.

We can design routing and documentation flows, sequence timelines, and coordinate with compliance advisors and local partners.

Contact
e-mail: inquiry@tgl-group.net

Appreciate if you could share TGL Blog among your friends who are interested in first-hand market information of supply chain and updated economic incidents.