Tariffs - NZ timber and lumber products to the U.S.Friday 11 Jul 2025
Forests thrive in New Zealand’s climate and the sector supports a year-round harvest – with responsible production central to the industry. Plantation forests are sustainably managed (with large areas under global certification programmes), and are dominated by radiata pine, a productive and fast-growing softwood species. Processed outputs from our forest estates range from lumber, pulp and paper, panels, to engineered wood and remanufactured products. The strength of New Zealand pine compares favourably with that of most traditional construction lumber species. Appropriate conversion processes ensure that the higher-strength wood fibre near the outside of the log is sawn for building and construction. Our radiata pine is versatile and is excellent for an impressive range of structural and appearance applications. It is easily kiln dried or chemically treated to produce stable and long-lasting products. Due to limited domestic demand for our wood products, we have always taken great pride in developing relationships and exporting our timber and lumber to overseas markets, such as the United States. In 2024, we exported $US215 million of radiata pine products from New Zealand to the United States making the U.S. our third largest export market for forest products behind China and Australia. Although the $US215 million is minor when compared to the total global imports of $US2.3 billion of timber and lumber products into the United States, this trade is valued by both the New Zealand producers and the American DIY customers. New Zealand timber and lumber exporters are known for providing high value wood products into the United States, most of which is sold into the DIY end user’s market, such as Home Depot, Lowes and Menards. Given the healthy relationship between the United States and New Zealand on the trade front, the temporary relief of tariffs on timber and lumber imported into the United States has been welcomed. Though we realise that this tariff exemption could be short-lived, based on the outcome of the Section 232 investigation aimed at determining the global effects imports of timber, lumber and their derivative products have on the United Sates supply chain. As a small niche supplier of wood products that are needed by the U.S. domestic building market, there is a strong argument for keeping New Zealand timber and lumber imports tariff-free to avoid any additional price hikes and further supply chain disruptions. More >> Source: Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of NZ | ||
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