Despite international sanctions, Belarusian and Russian timber continues to enter the UK market through illicit channels, according to the forest conservation organisation World Forest ID. The findings reveal a significant discrepancy in the declared origins of birch wood imported from Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, and Latvia, with chemical profiling indicating that substantial portions likely originated from Russia or Belarus.
Tests conducted on timber samples showed irregularities in 50% of Polish imports, 33% of Ukrainian, 30% of Estonian, and 27% of Latvian shipments. While the study examined a limited sample size, researchers argue that the results expose critical weaknesses in current oversight mechanisms, which fail to reliably verify timber provenance. David Hopkins, CEO of the UK Timber Trade Federation, stated that mislabelled wood could realistically only have come from Russia or Belarus, given the limited alternative sources. He emphasised that while small quantities of birch are processed in Finland and the Baltics, the vast majority originates from Russia, meaning continued trade indirectly funds the Russian economy and violates sanctions.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) suspended certification for Russian and Belarusian timber and banned all controlled imports from these countries. However, enforcement remains inconsistent. Jade Saunders, Executive Director of World Forest ID, noted that while the UK has been a leader in imposing sanctions, their effectiveness hinges on robust implementation tools. She described chemical profiling as a groundbreaking method for tracing supply chains and urged authorities and industry regulators to take decisive action based on the findings.
The report underscores a broader challenge: without stricter controls and advanced verification methods, circumvention of sanctions will persist, undermining both environmental governance and geopolitical measures aimed at restricting Russian revenue streams. The UK government faces mounting pressure to address these gaps, particularly as the timber trade remains a notable, albeit often overlooked, component of bilateral economic flows. Industry experts warn that failure to act could erode the credibility of sanctions and perpetuate illicit trade networks.
