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Importing wooden furniture from Vietnam and Indonesia to the EU

Vietnam and Indonesia are among the largest suppliers of wooden furniture to the EU. A workable import deal turns on four things: the product and its materials, the tariff line, EU deforestation due diligence on the wood (EUDR), and product safety. This is a practical overview with pointers to the sources you should check before each contract.

By Hiram Trade Editorial Desk

Published

8 min read

Product, materials and standards

Define the product and every material precisely, because safety rules and the wood due diligence follow from them:

  • furniture type (seating, tables, cabinets, outdoor), and construction (solid wood, plywood, MDF/particleboard, veneer);
  • wood species (and whether any is CITES-listed, which needs separate permits);
  • finishes, coatings, foams and textiles (these drive chemical and flammability rules);
  • dimensions, load/stability performance and the relevant EN furniture standards.

State the standard, the sampling and the inspection regime in the contract.

Tariff code and duty

Wooden furniture falls under HS chapter 94 (for example 9401 seats, 9403 other furniture); wood and articles of wood under chapter 44. Furniture often carries a low third-country duty, and preferences may apply by origin (for example EVFTA for Vietnam, or the GSP arrangement for Indonesia). Confirm the exact 8-digit code and the current rate in the European Commission's Access2Markets / TARIC - do not assume. See our guide to HS and CN codes.

EUDR: wood is in scope

Wood and many wood products (including furniture) are covered by the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR, Regulation (EU) 2023/1115), which replaced the EU Timber Regulation. An operator placing the goods on the EU market must exercise due diligence: collect the geolocation of the harvest plots, show the wood is deforestation-free against the 31 December 2020 cut-off, confirm it was harvested legally, and file a due diligence statement in the EU information system.

Timing (per Regulation (EU) 2025/2650, the second postponement): the rules apply from 30 December 2026 for large and medium operators and 30 June 2027 for micro and small operators of products not previously covered by the EUTR; wood and timber products were covered by the EUTR, so micro and small operators dealing in them already begin on 30 December 2026. Indonesia operates a timber legality licensing scheme (SVLK / FLEGT licences), which supports the legality side; how FLEGT licences are treated under the current EUDR text is a point to confirm, because due diligence obligations still apply. The dates and obligations have changed more than once, so work from the current consolidated text, and build the geolocation and traceability flow with your supplier early. See our EUDR guide.

Product safety

Furniture sold to EU consumers must be safe:

  • Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (General Product Safety Regulation, GPSR): the general safety duty, traceability and an EU responsible person for the product;
  • formaldehyde emissions from wood-based panels (MDF, particleboard, plywood): the EU restricts formaldehyde released from such articles; specify a low-emission class and test evidence, and note that some member states have stricter national requirements;
  • Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH): restrictions on substances in finishes, foams, glues and textiles;
  • flammability: upholstered furniture faces flammability requirements that differ by member state - check the destination market.

Require test reports (formaldehyde, relevant REACH substances, stability/strength) from an accredited laboratory.

Documents

A typical set for a sea shipment:

  • commercial invoice and packing list;
  • bill of lading or other transport document;
  • the EUDR due diligence statement reference (once EUDR applies) plus the geolocation/traceability dataset; for Indonesian timber, the SVLK/FLEGT licence documentation;
  • proof of preferential origin (EUR.1 or a statement on origin) to claim a tariff preference;
  • CITES permits if any species is listed;
  • product-safety test reports (formaldehyde, REACH, stability) and the GPSR responsible-person details;
  • insurance certificate if the seller insures; pre-shipment/third-party inspection report if agreed.

Do not assume a document is or is not needed: list the documents in the contract and confirm them with your customs broker.

Logistics

  • furniture is often bulky and knock-down (flat-pack) to use container volume well; agree carton specifications, corner protection and palletisation;
  • control moisture and condensation (warping, mould) with liners and desiccants where needed;
  • the product is wood and the packaging is wood: both the goods and any wooden packaging/dunnage must meet ISPM 15 and be free of pests.

Incoterms for furniture

  • Containers (the normal case): FCA terminal at the port of loading, or CPT or CIP to the destination port. Avoid FOB and CIF for containerised cargo.
  • Delivered to warehouse: DAP or DPU if the supplier has an EU logistics partner.

See our guide to Incoterms 2020.

Checklist before signing

  • Product, materials, species and EN standard defined; CITES checked.
  • TARIC code and current duty / preference confirmed in Access2Markets.
  • EUDR data flow agreed (geolocation, deforestation-free, legality, DDS); SVLK/FLEGT for Indonesia.
  • GPSR responsible person, formaldehyde class, REACH and flammability evidence for the destination market.
  • Preferential origin proof and that origin rules are met.
  • Packing, moisture protection and ISPM 15 (goods and packaging) agreed.

On Hiram you can post a furniture request with materials, safety and EUDR requirements and compare quotes from Vietnamese, Indonesian and other suppliers by total landed cost. Go to the market.

Sources

This article is for information only and is not legal, tax or customs advice. Rules and rates change: check the current official sources or consult an adviser before you decide.

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