Furniture comes in a myriad of materials, including marble, wood, leather, fabric, and more. Among these, wooden furniture exports pose some of the most frequent questions for shippers! Can raw or solid wood furniture be shipped? Is fumigation and inspection a must? Are redwood furniture items unable to be exported normally? For such bulky items as furniture, how can they be packaged for international ocean freight to avoid damage or scratches?
What Types of Furniture Materials Can Be Exported by Sea?
Generally speaking, furniture made from solid wood, leather, fabric, rattan, and composite materials can all be shipped by sea. However, raw or solid wood furniture that has not undergone paint treatment must undergo fumigation and inspection before export. If the furniture manufacturer has already painted the product surface, then fumigation and inspection are not required for normal ocean freight export.
Why Do Solid Wood and Rattan Furniture Require Fumigation and Inspection?
Countries such as the United States, France, and Canada have regulations stipulating that unprocessed raw wood or raw wood packaging materials must undergo fumigation and be accompanied by a certified fumigation certificate upon import or export. Failure to comply may result in fines or rejection. The purpose of fumigating wooden furniture is to eliminate insects, their eggs, and other microorganisms hidden within the wood, thereby preventing the spread of harmful organisms and meeting the inspection and quarantine regulations of the importing country.
What Types of Furniture Materials Cannot Be Exported?
Rare, endangered woods, and antique furniture are not permitted for export. Examples include redwood furniture, Hainan huanghuali, eaglewood, dalbergia, walnut, rosewood, huanghuali, blackwood, striped blackwood, fragrant rosewood, and chicken-wing wood.
How to Package Large Furniture for Ocean Export to Avoid Damage or Scratches?
According to the regulations of Zcyt Supply Chain for oversized ocean freight channels, cargo exceeding 50KG or with any dimension longer than 150cm must be shipped in wooden crates or frames, with the frames or crates featuring legs at least 10cm high. These wooden structures offer a certain degree of protection against scratches and damage caused by external pressure or collisions. The legs facilitate easier handling by forklifts during loading and unloading, while also stabilizing and protecting the cargo.
Precautions for Exporting Furniture:
- Clarify the material of the furniture products from the manufacturer beforehand to avoid customs clearance issues or detention.
- Pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the cargo to avoid additional charges for oversized or overweight shipments.
- Be aware if the goods are subject to anti-dumping measures, such as mattresses.
- Choose a reliable international freight forwarder.