- 🌿 2025 EU rules require deforestation-free plywood
- 📄 Importers must prepare traceability and legality documents
- ⚡ Step-by-step checklist ensures compliance and smooth clearance
- 🔗 Read full EUDR Guide
As global trade regulations tighten, the European Union’s EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation) has become a key requirement for importers sourcing wood products, including plywood. Starting in 2025, importers must verify that their suppliers operate legally and that their wood products are free from deforestation. For buyers importing from Vietnam, this guide provides a practical checklist to help you comply efficiently.
1. What is the EUDR?
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is a new European Union law aimed at ensuring that products entering or leaving the EU market are deforestation-free and legally produced. It replaces the previous EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) and expands its coverage to multiple commodities, including wood, soy, coffee, and rubber.
Under EUDR, all plywood importers must prove the origin, legality, and sustainability of their products. The law applies to companies of all sizes importing wood-based materials such as plywood, LVL, veneers, and engineered panels.
2. Key Requirements for Plywood Importers
To comply with EUDR, importers must prepare a due diligence statement and supporting evidence before placing plywood on the EU market. Key requirements include:
- Traceability: Full documentation showing the supply chain from forest to final product.
- Legality Proof: Evidence that harvesting complies with local laws, licenses, and permits.
- Geolocation Data: Coordinates of forest origin for risk assessment.
- Deforestation-Free Verification: Confirmation that no deforestation occurred after December 31, 2020.
- Record-Keeping: Maintain EUDR documentation for at least five years.
Importers must also register their due diligence statements in the official EU EUDR Information System before customs clearance.
3. Step-by-Step Compliance Checklist
Follow this step-by-step checklist to ensure full compliance when importing plywood from Vietnam:
- Collect Supplier Documents: Request FSC®, CARB-P2, and legality certificates from your plywood supplier.
- Verify Supply Chain Traceability: Ensure all intermediaries (factory, exporter, trader) are clearly identified.
- Obtain Geolocation Data: Request GPS coordinates of forest origin and plantation area.
- Conduct Risk Assessment: Evaluate the risk of illegal harvesting or deforestation based on supplier records.
- Prepare Due Diligence Statement: Summarize findings and file it digitally in the EU EUDR system.
- Submit to Customs: Attach the EUDR reference number and documents before shipment clearance.
- Archive Documentation: Keep digital and physical records for at least 5 years for audit purposes.
Tip: Using suppliers like FOMEX GREENWOOD that already provide EUDR-ready documentation can reduce your preparation time by 70%.
4. How Non-Compliance Affects Importers
Failure to comply with EUDR requirements can lead to serious consequences, including:
- 🚫 Customs delays or shipment rejection at EU ports
- 💸 Financial penalties and suspension of import licenses
- ⚠️ Loss of buyer trust and reputational damage
- 📉 Restricted access to large retailers and public projects
Non-compliant importers may also face long-term restrictions or be listed as high-risk operators within the EU database.
5. How FOMEX GREENWOOD Guarantees Compliance
At FOMEX GLOBAL, we are fully prepared for EUDR implementation. All plywood products under the FOMEX GREENWOOD brand are manufactured with FSC®-certified, legally sourced, and traceable wood. Our compliance system includes:
- 📍 Digital traceability for each shipment (lot-based tracking)
- 📁 FSC® and legality verification files ready for EU importers
- 🕓 EUDR documentation provided within 48 hours upon request
- 🌳 Supply chains pre-assessed for deforestation-free compliance
Explore more details in our complete guide:
EUDR-Compliant Plywood from Vietnam: A Step-by-Step Buyer’s Guide
Also read:
Sustainable Plywood from Vietnam: Long-Term Value for Global Projects
Conclusion & Call to Action
Compliance with EUDR is not just a legal requirement—it is a market advantage. By choosing FOMEX GLOBAL as your partner, you ensure faster documentation, transparent traceability, and peace of mind for every shipment.
Contact Us: qc@fomexgroup.vn · ☎ +84 877 034 666
FAQ: EUDR Compliance for Plywood Importers
- What documents are required for EUDR compliance?
- Importers need FSC® certificates, legality documents, geolocation data, and a digital due diligence statement filed in the EU EUDR system.
- Is Vietnamese plywood already EUDR compliant?
- Yes. Suppliers like FOMEX GREENWOOD have integrated FSC®, CARB-P2, and EUDR traceability, making Vietnamese plywood fully compliant for EU imports.
- How fast can FOMEX provide EUDR files?
- All EUDR documentation is provided within 48 hours of request, including FSC®, legality, and traceability verification files.