The Russian government has extended the increased export customs duties on certain types of timber for another three years, until December 31, 2028. The relevant decision was fixed by the decree of December 29, 2025 and continues its policy of limiting exports of wood with a minimum degree of processing.
The measure is aimed at preventing the export of virtually untreated timber under the guise of lumber and at ensuring a stable supply of raw materials to Russian woodworking enterprises. In the context of foreign trade restrictions and the reorientation of the economy towards domestic wood processing, this approach remains one of the key instruments of state policy.
The increased rates apply to exports of timber with a moisture content of more than 22%, as well as products with a thickness and width of more than 10 centimeters. The restrictions apply to both coniferous species and valuable deciduous species such as oak, beech and ash.
For softwood timber, the export duty is set at 200 euros per cubic meter. For hardwood, the rates are significantly higher: for beech — 250 euros, for ash — 300 euros, for oak — 370 euros per cubic meter. Thus, the export of raw materials and semi-finished products from valuable wood species becomes economically unprofitable.
Lumber also remains under strict tariff regulation. For softwood, the rate is 10%, but not less than 13 euros per cubic meter. For oak — 10% with a minimum limit of 15 euros per cubic meter. The highest restrictions apply to beech and ash — 10%, but not less than 50 euros per cubic meter.
Such measures have been in effect in Russia since 2022 and during this time have become an important factor in the redistribution of wood flows from export markets to domestic processing facilities. Experts note that the extension of restrictions until 2028 creates a long-term regulatory horizon for businesses and stimulates investments in deep wood processing within the country.
At the same time, the decision strengthens control by customs authorities over the classification and actual characteristics of exported products. Checking the humidity, geometric parameters and degree of processing of wood remains one of the priorities during customs clearance, since lumber was previously often used as a "cover product" for the export of roundwood.
