Legal gaharu export requires a documented paper trail, not a single form. You need proof of legal origin, a BKSDA recommendation, a CITES export permit, a certificate of origin (SKA), an HS/customs classification, a certificate of analysis (COA) and a packing list. Aquilaria is CITES Appendix II, so permits are mandatory.
Gaharu — agarwood, the resin-soaked heartwood Indonesians call gubal — moves under strict wildlife-trade control. According to CITES guidance updated across 2023 to 2025, Aquilaria spp. sits on Appendix II, meaning every legal shipment must prove where the wood came from and travel with a valid export permit. One missing paper and the cargo stops at customs. Below is the full checklist, the local terms buyers in the Gulf and China will see, and how the Bali Premium Trip trade desk assembles a documentation-ready quote.
What documents do you need to export gaharu?
This is the core stack most Indonesian gaharu shipments require. Requirements shift by species, source (cultivated versus wild) and destination country, so treat it as a working checklist rather than a guarantee.
| Document | Local term / issuer | What it proves |
|---|---|---|
| Legal-origin certificate | SKAU (Surat Keterangan Asal Usul) / KLHK | Wood is cultivated or lawfully sourced |
| BKSDA recommendation | Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam | Conservation sign-off; mandatory for wild-source and CITES |
| CITES export permit | CITES Management Authority (Indonesia) | Appendix II clearance; valid up to about 6 months |
| Certificate of Origin | SKA / IPSKA, Ministry of Trade | Country of origin for the importing customs |
| HS / customs classification | Indonesian customs (Bea Cukai) | Correct tariff code for chips, powder or oil |
| Certificate of Analysis (COA) | Accredited lab | Species, grade, resin and moisture content |
| Packing list & commercial invoice | Exporter | Weights, quantities and values per carton |
| ASGARIN membership | Asosiasi Eksportir Gaharu Indonesia | Trade eligibility recognised by regulators |
Buyers in Dubai, Riyadh and Guangzhou increasingly ask for the COA and legal-origin certificate up front, because a clean paper trail is what lets their own customs release the shipment.
Which papers actually prove legal origin?
Legal origin — asal-usul — is the document that separates a compliant shipment from a seized one. Plantation gaharu grown from inoculated Aquilaria trees is documented through cultivation records and an SKAU, which is far cleaner than wild material. Wild-sourced wood additionally needs a BKSDA recommendation confirming the harvest was lawful. According to KLHK guidance from 2023 to 2025, exporters also register through ASGARIN and secure a CITES export permit before any Appendix II species leaves the country. We are a sourcing broker and information hub, not a permit authority — legal export requires a CITES permit and a BKSDA recommendation, and you should confirm current requirements with the CITES Management Authority (Indonesia) and your import country.
How does the gaharu documentation pathway work?
The sequence matters — each paper unlocks the next. A realistic order:
- Confirm the source. Document whether the gaharu is plantation-grown (kemedangan through super grades) or wild, since this drives every later step.
- Secure legal-origin papers. Obtain the SKAU / legal-origin certificate through KLHK channels; wild material also needs the BKSDA recommendation.
- Register trade eligibility. ASGARIN membership and company export registration.
- Grade and test. An accredited lab issues the COA covering species, grade and resin content.
- Apply for the CITES export permit. Processing can take up to about 60 days for some destinations; the permit is typically valid up to around 6 months.
- Prepare shipping documents. SKA certificate of origin, HS classification, commercial invoice and packing list, then customs clearance.
What does a documentation-ready sourcing quote cost?
Two things drive your numbers: the grade of the gaharu itself and the scope of coordination you need. Our canonical brand band, as of 2026 and indicative only, is below; final quotes confirm grade and scope.
| Product | Indicative export band (2026) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Plantation gaharu chips | USD 500–7,000 / kg | Grade-dependent; final quote confirms grade |
| Oud / agarwood oil | USD 30,000–80,000 / kg | Species and distillation quality dependent |
For context, Silvikultur UGM figures (Oct 2016) put double-super gaharu at Rp 30–40 million/kg and kemedangan at Rp 2–5 million/kg, while zonakeren.com (July 2025) listed export grades from Medang C around USD 47/kg up to Double King near USD 54,688/kg.
Coordination scope options the trade desk handles:
| Option | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Documentation review | 24 business hours to first response | Buyers with a supplier who need the paper trail checked |
| Sourcing + documentation coordination | 1–3 weeks to sample & paperwork | Buyers needing vetted plantation supply plus documents |
| Full export coordination | Permit-dependent (up to ~60 days) | End-to-end shipment to Gulf / China ports |
How do you get a documentation-ready sourcing quote?
Working with the trade desk is straightforward:
- Message the desk on WhatsApp or email with your grade, volume and destination country.
- Receive a scoped reply within 24 business hours covering indicative price, required documents and a realistic timeline.
- Confirm sourcing and paperwork — we coordinate vetted plantation supply and the documentation checklist through licensed partners.
- Ship with a complete file once permits and certificates are in hand.
Talk to the Bali Premium Trip trade desk
Ready for a documentation-ready sourcing quote? Reach the trade desk directly:
- WhatsApp: 6281128590000
- Email: sales@balipremiumtrip.com
- Response SLA: within 24 business hours
Tell us your target grade, volume and destination, and we will map the exact documents your shipment needs. We coordinate sourcing and paperwork through vetted licensed partners; we are not the permit authority and never sell permit certainty or a customs guarantee. Gaharu Export is part of Juara Holding Group — a Bali-based Indonesian group operating from Bali across Indonesia since 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a CITES export permit for gaharu valid?
A CITES export permit for Aquilaria (Appendix II) is typically valid for up to about six months, according to Indonesian regulatory guidance from 2023 to 2025. Processing can take up to roughly 60 days for some destinations, so apply early. Confirm current validity and timelines with the CITES Management Authority (Indonesia) before booking cargo.
What proves legal origin — cultivated versus wild gaharu?
Plantation gaharu from inoculated Aquilaria trees is documented with cultivation records and an SKAU (legal-origin certificate) through KLHK. Wild-sourced material additionally requires a BKSDA recommendation confirming lawful harvest. Cultivated stock is generally cleaner to document, which is why plantation-first sourcing is the safer route for repeat exporters.
Which HS code and customs papers apply to gaharu shipments?
Gaharu is classified by Indonesian customs (Bea Cukai) under the HS tariff code matching its form — chips, powder or distilled oil — and the exact code affects duty and import handling. Alongside the HS classification you need the SKA certificate of origin, commercial invoice and packing list. Confirm the current code with a licensed customs broker.
Do I need ASGARIN membership to export gaharu?
Indonesian export guidance from 2023 to 2025 indicates exporters typically register through ASGARIN (Asosiasi Eksportir Gaharu Indonesia) as part of establishing trade eligibility for CITES-listed agarwood, alongside a legal-origin certificate and CITES permit. Requirements can change, so verify your specific obligations with the CITES Management Authority (Indonesia) and ASGARIN directly.
Does Gaharu Export issue the permits itself?
No. Gaharu Export is a sourcing broker and information hub, not a permit authority. We coordinate vetted plantation supply and help assemble the documentation checklist through licensed partners, but CITES permits and BKSDA recommendations are issued only by the relevant Indonesian authorities. We never sell permit certainty or a customs guarantee.