China imported 19.9455 million cubic metres of timber (measured in log volume equivalent) from January to April 2026, representing a year-on-year cumulative drop of 12.18%. Log imports stood at 10.14 million cubic metres, down 7.75% year-on-year cumulatively; Sawn timber imports reached 6.90 million cubic metres, with a cumulative year-on-year decline of 16.33%.

1. Overview of China’s Softwood Round Log Imports, January–April 2026
China’s total imports of softwood logs edged down year-on-year over the first four months of 2026. Radiata pine remained the dominant imported species with a far milder year-on-year decline compared to other varieties. By supplying country, New Zealand held the largest import share with a slight volume dip; supplies from Germany plunged sharply, while shipments from Japan, Canada and Latvia registered year-on-year increases.

Between January and April 2026, China imported 7.3738 million cubic metres of softwood logs, a cumulative year-on-year decrease of 7.47%. Major species covered radiata pine, white pine, Douglas fir, Korean pine and Scots pine. Imports of radiata pine logs reached 5.458 million cubic metres, accounting for 74% of total softwood round log inflows.
Over the same period, imports of radiata pine, white pine, Korean pine, Scots pine and Douglas fir all posted cumulative year-on-year falls. Shipments of Korean pine and Scots pine dropped by 29%, white pine by 28.4%, and Douglas fir by 24.8%. Radiata pine saw a modest contraction of only 4.6%.
Key supplying nations for China’s softwood logs in Jan–Apr 2026 included New Zealand, Japan and Canada. New Zealand accounted for 75.5% of total softwood log imports, Japan 8.1% and Canada 6%. Among traditional suppliers, New Zealand’s shipments fell 5.1% cumulatively year-on-year, and Germany’s plummeted by 84.1%. Meanwhile, Japan, Canada and Latvia delivered volume growth of 5.5%, 7.5% and 15.3% respectively.

2. Overview of China’s Hardwood Round Log Imports, January–April 2026
China’s total imports of hardwood logs declined year-on-year in the first four months of 2026. By species, Okoumé posted a striking year-on-year increase, while North American hardwoods suffered substantial falls. Among supplying countries, Papua New Guinea remained the largest source with a modest volume uptick, whereas shipments from the United States dropped sharply.

From January to April 2026, China imported 2.77 million cubic metres of hardwood round logs, a cumulative year-on-year decrease of 8.5%. Key species comprised birch, oak, eucalyptus and beech. Birch imports hit 0.4154 million cubic metres, accounting for 15% of total hardwood log imports; oak imports stood at 0.3156 million cubic metres, representing an 11.4% share.
Within hardwood log shipments over the period, North American hardwoods, beech and poplar saw marked cumulative year-on-year drops of 43.8%, 26.6% and 18.8% respectively, with oak edging down slightly. Imports of Okoumé, Merbau and eucalyptus rose year-on-year, with Okoumé registering the steepest growth at 35.3%.
Major supplying countries for China’s hardwood  logs in Jan–Apr 2026 were Papua New Guinea (PNG), Russia and the Solomon Islands, capturing 22.3%, 18.2% and 13% of total hardwood log inflows respectively. Volumes from PNG rose moderately by 3.7% cumulatively year-on-year, while supplies from Russia and the Solomon Islands fell by 15% and 13.1%. Imports from the US plummeted by 43.3% year-on-year.

3. Overview of China’s Softwood Sawn Timber Imports, January–April 2026
China’s total imports of softwood sawn timber declined year-on-year in the first four months of 2026. By species, Douglas fir imports surged markedly. Among supplying countries, Russia accounted for over 60% of total supply yet delivered reduced volumes; shipments from Brazil, the United States and Germany tumbled sharply, while New Zealand and Canada posted mild growth.

From January to April 2026, China imported 3.70 million cubic metres of softwood sawn timber, a cumulative year-on-year decrease of 27.12%. Dominant species covered white pine, Korean pine and Scotch pine. Imports of white pine sawn timber reached 1.73 million cubic metres, making up 46.8% of total softwood sawn timber imports; Korean pine and Scotch pine sawn timber totalled 1.20 million cubic metres, occupying a 32.4% share.
Over the same period, shipments of white pine, Korean pine, Scotch pine and radiata pine all fell year-on-year, with drops of 24.9%, 28.6% and 16.7% respectively. Douglas fir saw an extraordinary uptick, with cumulative year-on-year growth hitting 89.9%.
Key supplying countries for China’s softwood sawn timber in Jan–Apr 2026 were Russia, Canada and Belarus. Russia alone contributed 65.9% of total softwood sawn timber inflows, with its shipments down 30.9% cumulatively year-on-year. Brazil, Germany and the US recorded steep cumulative year-on-year declines of 60.8%, 59.3% and 54% in sequence. New Zealand and Canada maintained positive growth, rising by 11% and 2.5% year-on-year respectively.

4. Overview of China’s Hardwood Sawn Timber Imports, January–April 2026
China’s total imports of hardwood sawn timber edged up slightly year-on-year in the first four months of 2026. Imported species are diversified, with oak standing as the primary hardwood sawn timber variety. By supplying country, Thailand remained the top supplier with a minor year-on-year volume decline; supplies from Russia and the United States decreased, while imports from Vietnam and Myanmar jumped substantially.
Between January and April 2026, China brought in 3.2066 million cubic metres of hardwood sawn timber, marking a mild cumulative year-on-year increase of 0.9%. Oak was the leading imported hardwood sawn timber, with a volume of 0.23 million cubic metres, accounting for 7.2% of total hardwood sawn timber imports. Other major species included ash, beech, birch and North American hardwoods.
Key supplying countries for China’s hardwood sawn timber from January to April 2026 were Thailand, Russia, the Philippines, the United States, Vietnam and Gabon. Hardwood sawn timber imports from Thailand made up 45.7% of the total, falling by 2.6% cumulatively year-on-year. Shipments from Russia and the US dropped by 27.9% and 22.8% respectively, whereas volumes from Vietnam and Myanmar surged dramatically, climbing 244.3% and 127.6% year-on-year.

Data Source: General Administration of Customs of China