A Step-By-Step Guide to Buying and Exporting Rough Wood from Angola

Angola is home to an abundance of natural resources and one of the most sought after is their rough wood. With the right know-how, it is possible for businesses and individuals to purchase and export this wood from Angola. This guide will take you through the step-by-step process of how to buy and export rough wood from Angola. By understanding the laws and regulations governing the purchase and export of this natural resource, as well as the necessary paperwork and export procedure, you will be able to successfully acquire and export rough wood from Angola. With this guide, you’ll be able to confidently navigate the process and enjoy the benefits of having access to this valuable raw material.

Overview of the Angola Rough Wood Market

The timber industry in Angola is in its early stages of development. The country boasts around 30 million hectares of rich and dense forests. The expansion of the logging industry will help the country generate income from a raw material that is both abundant and renewable. However, the country’s large expanse of forests has led to deforestation and prompted the government to implement strict laws and regulations governing the logging industry. There are currently five timber concessions that are licensed to export rough wood. These timber concessions are administered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Forests. The larger concessions are administered by Sonangol, the state-owned oil and gas company. The smaller timber concessions are administered by the State Forest Administration. The government has granted timber concessions to both private and state-owned companies, and there are also some state-owned companies that have been granted timber concessions. When sourcing rough wood from Angola, it is important to note that certain species are regulated by the government and cannot be exported. This includes precious timbers like teak, iroko, and shea.

Understanding the Laws and Regulations Governing the Purchase and Export of Rough Wood from Angola

The Angolan government strictly regulates the purchase and export of rough wood. The government maintains a list of species that cannot be exported and it is important to abide by these regulations. Certain species of timber are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and cannot be exported. The most common protected timbers are iroko, shea, and teak. The Angolan government mandates that all timber exports must be accompanied by a Timber Exports Licence (TEL). This licence is valid for one year and must be obtained by the buyer before the timber is purchased from the seller. Once you have obtained your TEL, you can purchase the timber from the seller. Once you have the timber, you can export it using one of the five designated ports of entry. Angola has favourable rules of origin and does not require an export declaration for rough wood that originates from a country that is not a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Required Paperwork and Documentation for Exporting Rough Wood from Angola

Before exporting rough wood from Angola, you must obtain all necessary documentation and licenses. In order to export rough wood from Angola, you must have a valid Timber Exports Licence (TEL). The TEL is valid for one year and must be obtained before the timber is purchased. You must present your Timber Exports Licence (TEL) when you are exporting rough wood at one of the five designated ports of entry. The rough wood must be declared as “Logs/Timber” and you must also present a Commercial Invoice. You must declare the species of the timber on your Commercial Invoice. When exporting timber from Angola, it is recommended that you use a recognised shipping and logistics company. If you use a recognised shipping and logistics company, you will be able to use the company’s Customs clearance procedures.

Steps for Purchasing and Exporting Rough Wood from Angola

Purchasing timber – The first step in the process is to source timber from a timber concession. You can do this by visiting the concession and directly purchasing the timber or by hiring an agent to purchase the timber on your behalf. You must present your Timber Exports Licence (TEL) when purchasing the timber. Transporting the timber – Once you have purchased the timber, it must be transported to the nearest port of entry. The rough wood must be transported using a valid Customs transit declaration. The timber must be transported by a licensed timber transport company. Exporting the timber from Angola – Once the timber is at the port of entry, you must present the Timber Exports Licence (TEL) and the Commercial Invoice from when you purchased the timber.

Tips for Securing the Best Deals on Rough Wood from Angola

When purchasing timber from a timber concession in Angola, you can follow a few tips that will help you to secure the best deals. When visiting the timber concessions, you should take samples of the timber types that you are interested in purchasing. This will allow you to view the timber and select the pieces that you want to purchase. You should negotiate the price with the seller and try to get the best deal possible. You should be flexible with your payment terms. Negotiate with the seller to extend payment terms so that you are able to purchase large quantities of timber. When hiring an agent to purchase timber on your behalf, you should be very careful and should thoroughly vet the agent before signing any contracts or agreements. Make sure that you have a good contract that protects your interests.

Potential Hurdles and Challenges with Purchasing and Exporting Rough Wood from Angola

The main potential hurdle with purchasing timber from a timber concession in Angola is the lack of competition in the market. The timber concessions are controlled by the state-owned companies and the concessions are not required to sell the timber. Therefore, the timber concessions could be reluctant to sell their timber and will be selective in the buyers that they choose to sell timber to. This could put buyers at a disadvantage and could make it difficult for them to source timber from the timber concessions. If the timber concessions are not interested in selling timber, you could try purchasing timber from the state-owned companies. It is important to note that state-owned companies can be more difficult to deal with than timber concessions and will be more selective with the buyers that they sell timber to. The process of exporting timber from Angola can be lengthy and can be complicated due to the lack of infrastructure in the country. It is recommended that you use a recognised shipping and logistics company.

What to Do if There are Problems During the Export Process

If you have a problem during the export process, it is recommended that you contact the Timber Control Section at the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food. The Ministry can help you with any issues that you might be facing during the export process. It is important to note that the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Food is the authority that regulates the timber industry in Angola. If you are having issues with your Timber Exports Licence (TEL), you should visit the Office of the Registrar of Timber Exports. If there are issues with your Commercial Invoice, you should visit the Customs Section at the port of entry where you are exporting the timber from. If there are issues with your Customs transit declaration, you should visit the Customs Section at the port of entry where you are exporting the timber from.

Conclusion

The timber industry in Angola is in its early stages of development. The country boasts around 30 million hectares of rich and dense forests. The expansion of the logging industry will help the country generate income from a raw material that is both abundant and renewable. However, the country’s large expanse of forests has led to deforestation and prompted the government to implement strict laws and regulations governing the logging industry. There are currently five timber concessions that are licensed to export rough wood. These timber concessions are administered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Forests. The larger concessions are administered by Sonangol, the state-owned oil and gas company. The smaller timber concessions are administered by the State Forest Administration. The government has granted timber concessions to both private and state-owned companies, and there are also some state-owned companies that have been granted timber concessions. When sourcing rough wood from Angola, it is important to note that certain species are regulated by the government and cannot be exported. This includes precious timbers like teak, iroko, and shea.