EUDR Compliance Guide for Plywood Importers (2026)

What Is the EUDR?

The EU Deforestation Regulation (Regulation 2023/1115) requires that certain commodities — including wood and wood products like plywood — placed on the EU market must be deforestation-free and legally produced. It replaces the earlier EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) with significantly stricter requirements.

The regulation applies to all operators and traders importing plywood into the EU, regardless of the country of origin.

Key Requirements for Plywood Importers

1. Due Diligence System

Every importer must implement a due diligence system that includes:

• Information collection: Product description, country of production, geolocation coordinates of all plots of land where timber was harvested
• Risk assessment: Evaluate the risk that products are associated with deforestation or forest degradation after December 31, 2020
• Risk mitigation: If risk is identified, take adequate measures to reduce it to negligible levels

2. Geolocation Data

This is the most significant new requirement. Importers must collect GPS coordinates (latitude/longitude) of the land where raw timber was harvested. For plywood, this means tracing back to the plantation or forest concession where logs originated.

3. Due Diligence Statement

Before placing products on the EU market, operators must submit a due diligence statement through the EU Information System, confirming that due diligence has been exercised and that the risk of deforestation is negligible.

How Vietnam Plywood Meets EUDR Requirements

Vietnam-sourced plywood from plantation timber has structural advantages for EUDR compliance:

Plantation-Based Supply Chain

Vietnamese plywood is predominantly manufactured from plantation-grown Acacia (Acacia mangium, A. auriculiformis) and Eucalyptus species. These plantations are established on previously deforested or degraded land, not on land cleared from natural forests after December 31, 2020.

Key advantages:

• Plantation rotation cycles of 5-8 years provide complete replanting history
• Land use certificates (Red Books) document land classification
• Plantation GPS coordinates are increasingly digitized through Vietnam's forest monitoring systems

FSC Chain of Custody

Many Vietnamese manufacturers maintain FSC Chain of Custody certification, which provides a pre-existing traceability framework that aligns closely with EUDR requirements. FSC-certified supply chains already track timber from forest to final product.

Country Risk Classification

The European Commission will classify countries as low, standard, or high risk. Vietnam is expected to be classified as standard risk, meaning simplified due diligence procedures compared to high-risk countries.

Documentation Checklist for Plywood Importers

When sourcing EUDR-compliant plywood from Vietnam, request these documents from your supplier:

1. Plantation geolocation data — GPS coordinates of harvesting areas (shapefile or coordinate list)
2. Land use certificates — Vietnamese "Red Book" or equivalent showing land is classified as production forest or agricultural land
3. Harvesting permits — Provincial forestry department authorization
4. FSC or PEFC certificates — Chain of custody documentation (if certified)
5. Log purchase records — Showing volumes, species, and origin per batch
6. Supplier declaration — Confirming no deforestation after cutoff date
7. Third-party audit report — If available, from FSC, SGS, or similar body

Timeline and Enforcement

Date	Milestone
June 29, 2023	EUDR entered into force
December 30, 2024	Application for large operators and traders (delayed to June 30, 2025)
June 30, 2025	Application for large operators/traders
December 30, 2025	Application for SMEs

Penalties for non-compliance include fines of up to 4% of annual EU turnover, confiscation of products, and temporary exclusion from public procurement.

Practical Steps for Importers

1. Audit your supply chain now — Map all plywood sources back to timber origin
2. Request geolocation data — Work with suppliers to collect plantation GPS coordinates
3. Choose EUDR-ready suppliers — Prioritize manufacturers with FSC CoC and documented plantation sourcing
4. Register in the EU Information System — Set up your account for due diligence statement submission
5. Document everything — Maintain records for at least 5 years as required by the regulation

Visit our Certifications page for more details on Vinawood's compliance with international standards including EUDR readiness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does EUDR apply to all plywood imports into the EU?

Yes. EUDR applies to all wood products including plywood (HS codes 4412), regardless of the country of origin. Even plywood from low-risk countries requires due diligence.

What is the deforestation cutoff date?

December 31, 2020. Products must be produced from timber harvested on land that was not subject to deforestation or forest degradation after this date.

Can my Vietnamese supplier provide geolocation data?

Leading Vietnamese manufacturers are increasingly able to provide geolocation data for their plantation sources. This is easier for companies with integrated supply chains (own plantations or long-term contracts with plantation owners) compared to those buying from spot markets.

Is FSC certification sufficient for EUDR compliance?

FSC certification supports EUDR compliance but is not automatically sufficient. EUDR requires specific geolocation data and risk assessment that goes beyond current FSC requirements. However, FSC-certified supply chains have a significant head start in meeting EUDR documentation requirements.