Thread: Large lot timber importers = Sydney

I'd suggest you are just wasting your time.
I'm sure that importers will be prepared to sell to you -- if you can quote an ABN when you create an account -- but they will want to sell you a complete "lot" as packaged by the original [home] country exporter. So if Rock Maple entering Australia is strapped into 3.5 cubic metre bundles (about 2.5 tonnes) then that is the quantity that you will need to buy.

Perhaps go to Matthews, Anagote and Trend and negotiate a price on the basis that you will take a cube or two of Rock Maple, etc as it comes off the semi -- i.e. you won't be picking through the boards / slabs, you will take the top half (or third) of a bundle.

First of all, timber is expensive. There's no two ways about it and the importers certainly aren't raking in the cash. What my log is worth

I agree with ian on this one, it's not gonna happen. They'll be buying their stuff from the mills in the States and deal in container loads; you're unlikely to find a mill who'll sell you a single pack of one species given the hassle of shipping it here, you definitely won't get a mixed pack. Plus you'll have to do all the import paperwork, pay duty on it, etc.

Your biggest problem is wanting a "mixed pallet". As soon as they break a pack open, you pay more; they'll have to break 3 packs open, build your pack and update the inventory lists of the broken packs, they're not going to wear the cost of all that). If you want it cheap(er), you gotta take the whole thing, 2ish cubes per pack, and at roughly $3.5k/cube for US Oak and $5.5k/cube for Walnut and Maple it's an expensive exercise.

If you wanted a pack like that every couple of months they might come to an arrangement but for a one-off purchase I think you'll find that the price is the price.

EDIT: BTW, 1-2 cubes is not a large order to them, it's one pack. Where I used to work, we were sometimes buying good chunks of their shipment before it even got on the boat. THAT'S when you get discounts and I can tell you that it's not much.

Sorry to say BUT if you require a mixed pack of select grade species then be prepared to pay a premium.
Special O.S species at that!
A couple of sawn cube isn't a huge volume either...a container load YES.
Suggest you fiscally support the likes of Trend,Mathews and others as they provide a service and level of expertise that is becoming ever increasingly hard to find these days.
Many 'fine' timber merchants have fallen by the wayside in recent years 'Lazarides' in Brisbane being one that comes to mind.
Embrace and treasure the ones that remain as they may not be operating tomorrow because of lack of custom.
Cause and effect i'm afraid...MM

Importation of timber is a not for profit exercise these days. There are many factors to consider before placing an order. You are already setting yourself a handicap by the volume plus select specie. Add to that the risk taken dealing with unknowns and high cost of freight and it all becomes fodder for the too hard basket.
Maybe a better alternative would be to look locally for supply. It doesnt have to be the big end of town, there are plenty of small operators out there who would be able to fill an order for you, particularly in our native timbers. Exotics are a little harder to come by, but they are out there if you know where to look.
Another thing to keep in mind is insect attack on stored timber. Some species are more susceptible than others. For peace of mind it is worth shopping for resistant woods.