Russia Extends Prohibitive Duties on Soft and Hardwood Rough Lumber Through 2025

On Friday (12-30-22), Russia extended its prohibitive export duties on soft and hardwood rough-sawn lumber with a moisture content in excess of 22%, which has been used as cover for exporting unprocessed timber, for three years until December 31, 2025. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed the relevant resolution and it has been posted on the official portal for legal information.

The original Russian government resolution was approved in November 2021 to impose essentially prohibitive export duties on rough forest products from January 2 to December 31, 2022, in order to restrict exports of unprocessed timber under the pretense of lumber (so-called ‘cover goods’). Russia has almost completely prohibited exports of unprocessed soft and hardwood timber since January 1, 2022; it can be shipped out only through two checkpoints on the borders with Finland and North Korea.

The export duty on softwood lumber is 10% but not less than 13 euros per cubic meter; the duty on oak lumber is 10% but not less than 15 euros; and the duty on beech and ash lumber is 10% but not less than 50 euros.