This report was prepared with inputs from experts and speaker presentations at the APEC EGILAT-SCCP Workshop on Customs Best Practices to Identify Illegal Wood and Wood Products held in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam from 18-19 August 2017. The workshop aimed to share best customs practices in responding to trade in illegal wood products, and to strengthen attendees’ abilities to identify legally and illegally traded wood products and take appropriate action when necessary.

Workshop sessions centered around topics of (1) protocols and methodologies to target illegal timber; (2) best practices for timber identification; (3) legal wood product certification programs; (4) protocols for documentation and data review to monitor compliance legality; (5) utilizing timber traceability systems; and (6) taking appropriate actions on illegal shipments. The workshop served as a platform to bring customs officials together around these issues, and highlighted the high level of interest and need for customs and forestry officials to work on identifying and combatting trade in illegal timber and wood products. The workshop also served as a venue for participants to expand their professional networks for a continued exchange of information and future cooperation.