The Government of Russia has extended protective duties on rough-sawn lumber for three years until December 31, 2025, Interfax reported with reference to the Deputy Prime Minister Victoria Abramchenko.
The increased rates apply to the exports of lumber with a moisture content of more than 22%, a thickness and a width of more than 10 cm. Export duties for sawn softwood are Euro 200 per cubic meter, Euro 250 for beech, Euro 300 for ash, and Euro 370 for oak lumber.
For the exports of other softwood lumber, the rate is 10%, but not less than Euro 13 per cubic meter, 10% for oak, but not less than Euro 15, 10% for beech and ash, but not less than Euro 50.
These duties were introduced in November 2021, initially for the period from January 2 to December 31, 2022. The Russian government explained the protective duties by the need to limit the export of raw wood from the country under the guise of lumber. Since January 1, 2022, Russia has banned the export of softwood logs and valuable hardwood logs.