**Exporting gaharu from Indonesia to China starts with four Indonesian-side documents — proof of legal cultivated origin from KLHK, a BKSDA recommendation, ASGARIN membership, and a CITES Appendix II export permit — which must be matched by a Chinese CITES import permit and a GACC customs declaration on arrival. Confirm current requirements with both authorities before you ship.**
China is the single largest pull in the agarwood trade. Reports across 2024 and 2025 put China at roughly 22.4% of the global market, and forecasts name Asia-Pacific the fastest-growing region at about 47.8% share by 2033, inside a market projected near USD 23.47 billion by 2033 at roughly 7.12% CAGR from 2026. For an Indonesian gaharu supplier, that demand is real — but so is the paperwork, because Aquilaria is a protected species on both ends of the shipment.
Gaharu Export is a sourcing broker and information hub, not a permit authority. Nothing below guarantees approval or clearance. Treat it as a working checklist, then verify every line with the CITES Management Authority in Indonesia and with your Chinese buyer’s own authority.
Why is gaharu a controlled export in the first place?
Aquilaria spp. — the tree that yields gaharu (agarwood), including the prized resinous gubal and the lighter kemedangan grades — sits on CITES Appendix II. That listing means legal international trade is allowed, but only under a permit proving the wood was harvested legally and sustainably. This is precisely why an Indonesian CITES export permit is non-negotiable: it is the document that certifies legal, sustainable origin to the importing country. China enforces the same convention as an importing member, so a shipment needs valid papers leaving Indonesia and valid papers entering China. A gap on either side stops the cargo cold.
What documents does China require to import Indonesian gaharu?
The core requirement is a paired set: an Indonesian CITES export permit and a Chinese CITES import permit that reference the same consignment. On top of that, China Customs (the General Administration of Customs, GACC) needs a standard import declaration and the usual trade papers.
| Document | Issued / checked by | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| CITES export permit | CITES Management Authority, Indonesia | Proves legal Appendix II export |
| CITES import permit | China’s CITES authority (NFGA) | Authorises Appendix II import |
| Legal-origin proof (cultivated vs wild) | KLHK / BKSDA | Confirms plantation source |
| Phytosanitary certificate | Indonesian quarantine authority | Plant-health clearance |
| Invoice, packing list, bill of lading | Exporter | Standard trade + customs data |
| HS code classification | Exporter / customs broker | Correct tariff line at GACC |
The export permit can only be issued once legal origin is documented, which is why plantation-grown stock with a clean paper trail moves far more easily than anything of uncertain provenance.
How does the Indonesian permit pathway actually work?
Based on 2023-2025 guidance, the practical sequence for a cultivated shipment looks like this:
- Prove legal origin. Document that the gaharu is plantation-grown, with cultivation and inoculation records. Wild-sourced material additionally needs a BKSDA (Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam) recommendation.
- Register through KLHK and hold membership in ASGARIN, Indonesia’s agarwood exporters’ association, which most exporters treat as a prerequisite.
- Apply for the CITES export permit. It is typically valid up to about six months, and processing can take up to roughly 60 days for some destinations — so time your application against your buyer’s delivery window.
- Match it to the Chinese import permit before the cargo leaves, so both permit numbers align at customs.
Quotas matter too. Central Kalimantan alone received an export quota of about 4,000 tons in 2023, a reminder that volumes are administratively capped and worth checking before you sign a contract.
How long does it take and what does it cost to move?
Timelines stack, so plan backwards from the buyer’s date. Below is an indicative planning view — not a guarantee — for a compliant plantation shipment.
| Stage | Indicative time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legal-origin + BKSDA docs | 2-4 weeks | Faster if cultivation records are ready |
| CITES export permit | up to ~60 days | Varies by destination |
| Chinese import permit | Parallel, buyer-led | Importer applies in China |
| Sea freight ID to China | 1-3 weeks | Port-dependent |
On price, the band we quote site-wide is plantation gaharu chips at USD 500-7,000/kg (grade-dependent) and oud/agarwood oil at USD 30,000-80,000/kg (as of 2026, indicative; a final quote confirms grade and scope). Grading drives everything — resin content, sinking behaviour, and aroma are what separate a mid-grade kemedangan lot from double-super gubal, and Chinese buyers pay for the top of that range.
Which grades and regions do Chinese buyers favour?
Chinese buyers, alongside strong Middle East demand, chase high-resin, sinking-grade wood and oud oil for incense, prayer beads, and perfume. Documented Indonesian supply regions include Kalimantan, Papua (Jayapura and Merauke), Ambon, and Sumbawa; the trees typically mature over 7-15 years before viable resin forms. No credible public source names Bali as a production origin — Bali’s role here is trade and logistics hub, not source, and honest sourcing means saying so plainly.
Your pre-shipment checklist
- Cultivation and inoculation records proving legal origin
- BKSDA recommendation (required for any wild-sourced material)
- ASGARIN membership and KLHK registration current
- CITES export permit applied for, inside its validity window
- Chinese CITES import permit secured by your buyer
- Phytosanitary certificate and correct HS code confirmed
- Requirements re-verified with both CITES authorities before loading
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need a Chinese import permit if I already hold the Indonesian CITES export permit?
Yes. CITES is a two-sided system. Your Indonesian permit authorises the goods to leave; your Chinese buyer must obtain a matching CITES import permit from China’s authority, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, before arrival. Both numbers should reference the same consignment. Confirm the current process directly with China’s CITES authority.
Can I ship wild-harvested gaharu to China, or must it be plantation-grown?
Legal export is possible for both, but wild-sourced Aquilaria additionally requires a BKSDA recommendation proving sustainable, legal harvest — a slower, tightly quota’d path. Plantation-grown, inoculated stock with clean records clears far more easily. We work plantation-first and never facilitate illegal wild-harvest of any kind.
How far ahead should I start the China export paperwork?
Allow a comfortable buffer. Indonesia’s CITES export permit can take up to around 60 days for some destinations and is valid only about six months once issued. Add legal-origin documentation and your buyer’s parallel import-permit process, so starting roughly three to four months before your delivery date is prudent.