Country Risk Profiles

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77

Risk score

14

Specified risks related to 8 sub-categories

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Full Timber Legally Risk Assessment ENList of applicable legislationRisk mitigation guideDocument guide中国风险减缓指南2.0版

About China

Please note: The Timber legality Risk Assessment relate to Mainland China only. This page provides an overview of the legality risks related to timber produced in China. Forests cover about 23% of the country, of which:3% is bamboo forest64% is natural forest (whether bamboo or not)36% is plantations.Forest ownership refers to the ownership or use rights to forest, timber, and forest land. There are three types of ownership: State-owned forest, timber, and forest landCollectively owned forest, timber, and forest landIndividually owned timber and use rights to forest land.There are five key trends within Chinese forests:Gross forest resources in China are growingForest quality is steadily improvingNatural forests are steadily growing in total areaTotal plantation area has increased rapidly in recent decadesMore timber is being produced from plantations. (CGTN, 2020)China is the world's largest importer of timber, as domestic supply of industrial wood has failed to keep up with China's industrial manufacturing capacity. China faces increasing pressure to address its influence on illegal logging around the world, due to its growing demand and export of wood and wood products.Some legality risks are present in China's timber supply chains. If you are sourcing timber from China you should take care to ensure the risks identified are not present in your supply chains, or have been sufficiently mitigated.VIEW MORE

Please note: The Timber legality Risk Assessment relate to Mainland China only. 

This page provides an overview of the legality risks related to timber produced in China. Forests cover about 23% of the country, of which:

  • 3% is bamboo forest
  • 64% is natural forest (whether bamboo or not)
  • 36% is plantations.

Forest ownership refers to the ownership or use rights to forest, timber, and forest land. There are three types of ownership: 

  • State-owned forest, timber, and forest land
  • Collectively owned forest, timber, and forest land
  • Individually owned timber and use rights to forest land.

There are five key trends within Chinese forests:

  • Gross forest resources in China are growing
  • Forest quality is steadily improving
  • Natural forests are steadily growing in total area
  • Total plantation area has increased rapidly in recent decades
  • More timber is being produced from plantations. (CGTN, 2020)

China is the world's largest importer of timber, as domestic supply of industrial wood has failed to keep up with China's industrial manufacturing capacity. China faces increasing pressure to address its influence on illegal logging around the world, due to its growing demand and export of wood and wood products.

Some legality risks are present in China's timber supply chains. If you are sourcing timber from China you should take care to ensure the risks identified are not present in your supply chains, or have been sufficiently mitigated. VIEW LESS

Description of source types

Source types describe the possible origins of a commodity from within a country. Knowing the “source type” that timber originates from is useful because different source types can be subject to different applicable legislation and have attributes that affect the risk of non-compliance with the legislation.
Source Type
Description
Natural Forest
Natural Forest logging ban nationwide by law, except for wood from tending cuttings (pre-harvest thinnings). In addition, there are strict limitations to the dimensions of the trees to be harvested. A Harvesting Permit for tending cutting is required.
Plantation
Plantations are the main source of timber from China. A harvesting permit is required. Timber from forests planted for other purposes, i.e. fruit trees, are known as economic forests. When the forest has no yield, the trees may be harvested
Bamboo Forest
Harvesting permit not applicable for selective cut (Selective cut is always applied for bamboo forest except the bamboo grows in nature reserves). Grows in Southern provinces

CPI score

42, updated 2024

Armed Conflicts

Global Conflict Tracker (2019) did not report of any ongoing conflicts. The Uppsala Conflict Data Program reports that there were 11 deaths from state-based violence in 2014-2019.

Voluntary Partnership Agreement

No Data

Certifications

FSC certified area: 1.27 Mha, updated April 1, 2023

Bans & Restrictions

A moratorium on commercial harvesting from state owned natural forests was put in place in 2016 and extended to all natural forests from the beginning of 2017. Forest maintenance is allowed and timber from this can be sold legally. See a commentary from Preferred by Nature HERE. Ban of exports of almost all logs since 2001. For details, please consult the list of goods prohibited from exporting on the website of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China.

Risk Species

Name CITES I CITES II CITES III IUCN Redlist Special attention
No records found

China

Tree cover loss

Tree cover loss”. Accessed on 01/01/2023 from www.globalforestwatch.org. The graph shows year-by-year tree cover loss, defined as stand level replacement of vegetation greater than 5 meters in the country. Note that “tree cover loss” is not the same as “deforestation” – tree cover loss includes change in both natural and planted forest, and does not need to be human caused. The data from 2011 onward were produced with an updated methodology that may capture additional loss. Comparisons between the original 2001-2010 data and future years should be performed with caution.

Overview of mitigation options organised by source type

Source Type
Number of risks
Document verification
Stakeholder Consultation
Field Verification
Scientific Testing
Natural Forest
12
26
0
7
7
Plantation
13
32
2
7
6
Bamboo Forest
4
10
0
2
3
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