India
Key documents required for timber legality and trade of India
The below listed key documents are based on the applicable legislation and are considered to play a key role in demonstrating legal origin. The full list of applicable legislation is accessible here.
Harvesting
| Key document | Explanation | Legal authority | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working plan – according to requirements of the National Working Plan Code (NWPC) | All forests are managed under the prescriptions of a working plan / scheme for the period of 10 years, and approved by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. No harvesting can be done in any forest area without an approved working plan. | MoEFCC | |
| Harvesting permit | Different states in the country have different restrictions on felling of timber, based upon area, intended use and species and is regulated by laws, rules and regulations prevalent in that state. Most state regulations distinguish species, and include minimum girth specifications. | State Forest Division (SFD) of the relevant state | |
| Transit pass | Company responsible for extraction of timber from the forest also needs a transit pass. Some species are exempted from the transit pass. | State Forest Division (SFD) of the relevant state |
Processing and Trade
| Key document | Explanation | Legal authority | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transit permit / transit pass | States are empowered to enact Transit rules regulating the movement of forest produce, including timber, within the state. NB: states have prescribed their own transit rules regulating movement of timber and it varies from state to state. | State Forest Division (SFD) of the relevant state | |
| EXIM license | |||
| Sales records – invoice | Prepared by the selling party and covering the specific batch. | ||
| Bill of lading | Prepared by the selling party and covering the specific batch. |