Turkey Beech Lumber Importers - Market Overview

Turkey is one of the world's largest importers of beech lumber (kayin kereste), driven by the country's massive furniture manufacturing industry, flooring production, and construction sector. Beech (Fagus spp.) is a premium hardwood species valued for its light color, fine texture, excellent workability, and good bending properties, making it ideal for furniture, flooring, plywood, and structural applications. The bill of lading data on this page documents 9 sample shipments of beech lumber imported into Turkey during March-April 2023, all classified under GTIP code 4407.92.00.90.19. The primary supplier is Iran, with Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as a secondary source, reflecting both geographical proximity and established trade routes.

HS code 4407.92 specifically covers beech (Fagus spp.) sawn wood under Chapter 44 of the Harmonised System. The full 12-digit Turkish GTIP code 4407.92.00.90.19 is used for all commercial imports of beech sawn wood into Turkey, regardless of whether the product is described as lumber, timber, or kereste on the bill of lading. Turkish importers file customs declarations (Beyanname) through the TEK Pencere (Single Window) system, declaring the appropriate GTIP code, country of origin, weight, quantity, and customs value for each shipment.

Spotlight - 3 Key Aspects

Product Categories - Beech Wood HS Codes

The product cards below present the main categories of beech wood products imported by Turkey, with corresponding HS codes and typical end-use applications. All categories fall under HS 4407.92 for beech sawn wood, with the full GTIP code 4407.92.00.90.19 used for customs declarations.

Sample Bill of Lading Data - 9 Shipments

The table below presents 9 sample bill of lading records for beech lumber imports to Turkey, sourced from Turkish customs data. All shipments use GTIP code 4407.92.00.90.19 and originate primarily from Iran (Islamic Republic of) with one shipment from Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The records show both weight (KG) and quantity (Cubic Meter or Kilogram) measurements, with declared values ranging from USD 2,616 to USD 24,074 per shipment. Importer and exporter names are masked (**) for privacy, but the product descriptions consistently reference 'Beech Lumber', 'Beech Timber', or 'Kayin Kereste' - confirming the interchangeable use of these terms in Turkish customs declarations.

HS / GTIP Code Hierarchy (44.07 -> 4407.92.00.90.19)

The table below shows the full GTIP code hierarchy for beech lumber, from Chapter 44 (Wood and Articles of Wood) down to the 12-digit classification 4407.92.00.90.19 used in Turkish customs declarations. International suppliers should reference the full 12-digit GTIP code on commercial invoices and bills of lading to ensure smooth customs clearance through Turkish customs.

Major Supplier Countries for Beech Lumber to Turkey

Turkey imports beech lumber from a diverse portfolio of supplier countries. Iran is the largest single supplier, leveraging its Caspian Sea forests and shared land border with Turkey. Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is a secondary supplier with a special trade relationship. Other potential supplier countries include Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Germany, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Poland, Belarus, and Moldova - all countries with significant beech forest resources in the Carpathian, Balkan, and Central European mountain ranges. The Baltic States, France, and Italy also produce beech wood, while the USA and China supply beech for specialty applications.

Timber vs Lumber - Key Differences Explained

The terms timber and lumber are often used interchangeably, but there are important distinctions that wood importers should understand. Timber typically refers to wood in its natural state after harvesting from trees - usually beams, planks, or logs suitable for construction. It can also refer to unprocessed wood used for various purposes including furniture, flooring, and other applications. Lumber, on the other hand, usually refers to wood that has been processed and cut into standardized dimensions for commercial use in construction, woodworking, or other applications. Lumber is typically sawn, planed, and sometimes kiln-dried to enhance its strength, stability, and usability.

In the Turkish language, the term for timber is kereste, which refers to wood in its natural state after being harvested from trees. It encompasses both raw and unprocessed wood used for construction, woodworking, and other applications. The term for lumber in Turkish is kereste tahtasi, which specifically refers to processed wood that has been cut, shaped, and prepared for commercial use. Kereste tahtasi is commonly used to describe standardized wood boards or planks used in construction, carpentry, and various other industries. In summary, timber generally refers to raw or unprocessed wood, while lumber refers to processed wood that has been cut, shaped, and prepared for commercial use. Both fall under the same HS code 4407.92 for beech wood imports to Turkey.

Turkey-Iran Beech Lumber Trade Route

The Turkey-Iran beech lumber trade is driven by Iran's extensive Caspian Sea forests, particularly in the northern provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan. These forests contain significant beech (Fagus orientalis) stands that produce high-quality hardwood suitable for furniture, flooring, and construction applications. Beech lumber is transported from Iran to Turkey primarily via the Gurbulak/Bazargan land border crossing, with additional shipments through the Kapikoy border crossing. The overland transport route offers cost advantages over seaborne alternatives, with typical transit times of 2-5 days from Iranian sawmills to Turkish furniture factories.

The sample bill of lading data on this page shows that the trade is characterized by frequent, relatively small-volume shipments (typically 23-71 cubic meters per shipment), suggesting that Turkish importers use a just-in-time procurement model rather than bulk stocking. The declared values per cubic meter range from approximately USD 216 to USD 366, reflecting variations in beech wood grade, processing level, and shipment size. Turkish furniture manufacturers in the Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, and Kayseri regions are the primary consumers of Iranian beech lumber, using it for chair frames, table tops, cabinet doors, and flooring components destined for both the domestic market and European export customers.

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