How an Indonesian Teak Exporter Reached European Buyers

From Limited Visibility to a Successful Deal

For years, this Indonesian teak manufacturer had been producing high-quality timber and exporting professionally to international markets. Product quality was never the challenge. Finding qualified European buyers consistently was.

Traditional sales channels delivered limited results. Email campaigns generated few responses. International trade fairs in cities such as Hamburg and Cologne required significant investment while providing only a few days of exposure. Brokers and intermediaries often increased costs without contributing meaningful value beyond the initial introduction.

Everything changed when the company listed its products on catastico.eu through Green Trade Hardwood (GTH).

Instead of searching for buyers, the supplier became visible to verified importers actively sourcing legally compliant hardwood products.

Fast and Straightforward Verification

To become an accredited supplier, the company submitted the standard documentation required by the platform:

• SVLK/V-Legal Certificate
• Company Registration
• Export License
• References from previous international shipments

The verification process was completed within four business days, allowing the supplier to begin marketing its products to qualified European buyers quickly.

Creating a Professional Product Listing

The supplier published detailed product listings that included:

• Wood species
• Product type
• Dimensions
• Quality grade
• Moisture content
• Available volume
• Country of origin
• Estimated delivery times

Rather than relying on stock photography, the company uploaded photographs of the actual timber available in its yard. This gave buyers an accurate representation of the products and helped establish confidence before the first inquiry.

The First Request for Quotation

Only a few days after publication, the supplier received its first Request for Quotation (RFQ) from an Italian importer.

The inquiry requested 12 m³ of E4E teak with the following specifications:

• Dimensions: 19 × 120 mm
• Lengths between 1 and 2 metres
• Kiln-dried (KD) to 10–12% moisture content
• First-grade quality

Within 36 hours, the supplier submitted a complete commercial proposal that included:

• CIF Livorno pricing
• Delivery within 60 days of order confirmation
• Supporting documentation, including:
  • V-Legal Certificate
  • Geolocation data of the logs extraction area (GeoJSON)
  • Phytosanitary certificate
  • Packing list
  • Draft Bill of Lading (B/L)

After two rounds of technical discussions through the platform, the buyer requested additional information regarding manufacturing tolerances and packaging.

The supplier confirmed:

• Thickness tolerance of ±0.5 mm
• Maximum moisture content of 12%
• Export-compliant fumigated wooden pallets
• Packaging suitable for international container transport

To meet the buyer’s moisture specification, the supplier adjusted the price by 1.5%. The revised quotation was accepted.

Simplifying Compliance

Once the order was confirmed, all required compliance documents were uploaded directly to the platform, including:

• V-Legal Certificate
• Geolocation coordinates of the harvesting area
• Provisional Packing List

These documents supported the importer’s due diligence obligations under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Because all documentation was linked directly to the order, both parties could manage compliance efficiently without lengthy email exchanges or document requests.

Successful Shipment

The container departed from the Port of Surabaya for Livorno.

Transit time was 42 days, port to port.

Throughout the shipment, the supplier updated the order status on the platform, notifying the buyer when the container was loaded and when the vessel departed. Once available, the final Bill of Lading and phytosanitary certificate were uploaded to complete the shipping documentation.

Upon arrival in Italy, the importer confirmed that the shipment matched the agreed specifications and had arrived in excellent condition. The inspection period expired without any disputes.

Results

By joining Green Trade Hardwood (GTH), the supplier achieved measurable business results:

• Successfully verified in just four business days
• Connected directly with a qualified European importer
• Received an RFQ within days of publishing products
• Completed its first shipment to Italy
• Streamlined documentation and EUDR compliance through a single platform
• Built a direct commercial relationship without relying on brokers or intermediaries

Key Takeaways for Timber Exporters

This experience demonstrates how verified digital marketplaces can simplify international timber trading.

Success depends on more than offering quality products. Buyers increasingly expect transparency, verified documentation, and efficient communication throughout the transaction.

Exporters looking to expand into the European market should:

• Prepare all SVLK/V-Legal documentation before marketing products.
• Publish complete technical specifications with accurate product information.
• Use photographs of actual inventory to build buyer confidence.
• Respond promptly to RFQs with comprehensive commercial and compliance documentation.
• Maintain transparent communication throughout production and shipment.

By combining verified supplier credentials with structured product information and integrated compliance management, Green Trade Hardwood (GTH) helps connect trusted timber exporters with serious international buyers while reducing friction throughout the export process. See how GTH works for sellers to get started.