United States Justice Department moves to eliminate illegal timber from global supply chains

Published on June 4, 2026 Time: loading...

Piled cut logs stacked outside a lumberyard with a blue metal building in the background

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a significant effort to eradicate illegal timber from global supply chains. From May 18 to 22, the department held a landmark workshop in Libreville, Gabon, bringing together key players from the harvest, processing, and consumer segments of the timber trade. This marked the first session to unite the entire supply chain under one forum, spanning production to customs oversight.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson, of the DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, highlighted the economic importance of curbing illegal timber imports. “Illegally imported wood undercuts domestic producers,” he said. He added that international cooperation enhances the ability to intercept unlawful timber while supporting legitimate commerce.

The five-day workshop convened more than 100 officials, including representatives from Gabon, Cameroon, and Vietnam. Industry participants, trade associations, and leading consumer markets also joined the discussions. Delegates from the European Union, the United Kingdom, international organisations, and non-governmental organisations participated, providing a broad perspective on timber trade compliance.

The DOJ’s push aligns with escalating criminal enforcement efforts targeting timber trafficking networks estimated to generate $500 million annually. Sessions addressed both illegal and legal timber flows, focusing on customs enforcement, traceability, and joint investigative techniques. Industry concerns were also reviewed, particularly regarding opportunities to sustain legitimate trade while enhancing transparency.

Support for the initiative came from multiple U.S. agencies, including the DOJ Trade Fraud Task Force, Customs and Border Protection, and Homeland Security Investigations. The State Department, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and U.S. embassies in Libreville, Hanoi, and Yaoundé contributed intelligence and coordination support. Delegates toured critical facilities, including the Gabon Special Economic Zone, to observe real-world operations along the timber supply chain.

Illegal logging remains the third most lucrative form of transnational organized crime, trailing only counterfeiting and drug trafficking, according to Global Financial Integrity. The trade deprives lawful producers and forest owners of billions of dollars in annual revenue. The Libreville workshop reinforced ongoing bilateral counter-trafficking efforts between the United States, Gabon, Cameroon, and Vietnam.

Gabon and Cameroon are major timber exporters to the United States and Vietnam. Vietnam is now negotiating memoranda of understanding with both countries to formalize trade-data exchange and joint enforcement operations. This structured approach aims to strengthen legal oversight and reduce the infiltration of illegal timber into international markets.

The workshop’s format enabled a comprehensive view of the timber trade. Attendees examined the flow of timber from harvest through processing to customs clearance. Advanced tracking, verification methods, and compliance monitoring were discussed as essential tools in preventing illegal activity. Sessions emphasized the importance of technology and standardised protocols in supporting traceability.

The initiative demonstrates the United States’ commitment to enforcing the Lacey Act abroad, applying legal pressure to curb the export of illegal timber. Collaboration with foreign governments and private-sector stakeholders ensures that enforcement is both effective and mutually beneficial. Participants agreed that sustainable, transparent timber practices are vital to protecting forests, promoting lawful trade, and maintaining competitive markets.

Delegates noted that improved global coordination reduces opportunities for traffickers to exploit loopholes. Legal timber markets benefit from strengthened enforcement measures, as supply chains become more predictable and auditable. The emphasis on cross-border cooperation signals a shift toward a more integrated approach to combating transnational timber crime.

The DOJ plans to continue these efforts, deploying intelligence analysts and enforcement teams to track illegal networks and ensure compliance with U.S. law. Workshops like the one in Libreville set a precedent for future international engagement, combining regulatory oversight with technical and operational expertise.

By uniting harvesters, processors, and consumer nations at a single forum, the United States reinforces its commitment to lawful timber trade. The Libreville session demonstrates the power of international collaboration in safeguarding forests, supporting lawful producers, and strengthening global supply chain integrity.