Timber import
Organising timber import yourself sounds attractive until you face minimum volumes and long shipping times. One missing document can leave a load stuck in port, and stricter European rules make the company that brings timber into the EU responsible for proving where it comes from. Leaving that work to a specialist removes the risk. Vandecasteele Houtimport has been importing hardwood and softwood for more than a century and keeps it in stock in Belgium, ready for you to order.
Ask which species are in stock
Why leave timber import to a specialist?
When you work with an importer that holds stock, you order the volume you need and receive it within days. As your importer, we take care of the steps that usually cause delays or extra costs:
We select the sawmills and agree on grades, dimensions and drying requirements.
We arrange sea freight, customs clearance and all the import documents.
We check the legality and certification of each shipment before it enters our stock.
We keep the timber under cover in our own warehouses, so you only buy what you need.
Tropical hardwood with a traceable origin
Tropical species are often chosen for their natural durability, which makes them suitable for decking, waterworks and exterior joinery. From Central Africa, we import species such as afrormosia wood, a durable alternative to teak that is listed under CITES. Ipe wood comes from South America and ranks among the hardest and most durable decking species available. From Southeast Asia, dark red meranti remains a popular choice for window and door frames thanks to its stable, even grain. Boatbuilders can also rely on us for marine teak in the clear grades that yacht decks require.
Temperate hardwood and softwood
Not every project calls for tropical hardwood. European oak is a classic choice for joinery, flooring and beams, while American white oak offers long, clear boards in a lighter colour. For construction and interior work, Scandinavian redwood from slow-growing northern forests combines a fine grain with good workability. Because these species arrive in large volumes, they are usually available from stock in a wide range of dimensions.
Legal and certified timber import
Under the EU Deforestation Regulation, which applies to timber from 30 December 2026, the company that first places timber on the EU market must prove that it is legal and deforestation-free. We carry out that due diligence on the timber we bring in, which keeps the administrative burden on your side considerably lighter. Our certified timber gives you an extra layer of assurance for tenders and sustainability reporting, on top of the legal checks that every timber import must pass.
From sawmill to your site
Once a shipment reaches Europe, it is transported to our yard in Aalbeke and stored in covered warehouses. From that moment, our role as timber wholesaler takes over, with sawing, drying and delivery handled on site. That turns a long import chain into a short delivery time for you.
Five generations of experience in sourcing
Trading timber since 1883 has given us long-standing relationships with sawmills in producing countries, which pays off when a species becomes scarce or prices fluctuate. As a member of ATIBT, the international association for the tropical timber sector, we follow developments in forestry, legislation and supply closely. That knowledge allows our company to advise you on alternatives before a shortage affects you. It also explains why merchants leave their timber import entirely to us.
Tell us which species you need
Share the species, grades, dimensions and volumes you are looking for, and our sales team will check what is in stock or on its way. You receive a clear quote with the available options and the expected delivery time. Contact us to plan your next order.
