EUDR December 2026: What Vietnam Furniture Exporters Must Do in the Next 60 Days

1. What Is EUDR and Why Does It Matter for Vietnam?

The EU Deforestation Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/1115) requires all goods imported into the EU to prove they did not originate from land that was deforested after December 31, 2020.

This regulation doesn't only apply to raw timber — it covers finished wooden furniture products. With Vietnam's wood furniture exports to the EU exceeding $1 billion USD annually, EUDR is the most significant regulatory challenge the industry has faced in a decade.

2. Which Products Are Covered?

Under Annex I of EUDR and the updated Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/2102 (published September 17, 2026), the following wood furniture products remain in scope:

Note: The May 2026 simplification package removed 6 product categories from EUDR scope. However, wooden furniture remains fully in scope.

3. Key Timeline

4. The 6-Step Compliance Checklist

Step 1: Map Your Products Against the EUDR HS Code List

Review your complete product catalog and cross-reference each item with EUDR Annex I commodity codes. This foundational step is often skipped but is essential before anything else.

Step 2: Trace Wood Origin to the Forest Plot

This is the most technically demanding requirement. EUDR requires GPS geolocation data — specifically, geographic coordinates or polygon data — for the exact forest plot where timber was harvested. Plots larger than 4 hectares require polygon data; smaller plots require at minimum a single GPS point.

Step 3: Understand That FSC/PEFC Is Necessary But Not Sufficient

Many exporters assume FSC certification satisfies EUDR requirements. It does not. EUDR additionally requires plot-level geolocation data and a deforestation-free declaration — two data points that FSC certification alone does not currently provide. FSC is a strong advantage and simplifies the process, but you must supplement it with GPS data from your timber suppliers.

Step 4: Collect Required Data from Timber Suppliers

Request the following from all wood suppliers:

• GPS coordinates or polygon of the harvesting plot
• Wood species (scientific name)
• Country and region of harvest
• Legal documentation (FLEGT license, FSC certificate, harvesting permit)
• Volume and harvest date

Step 5: Prepare Due Diligence Statement (DDS) Documentation

The DDS is formally filed by the EU importer into the EU's EUDR information system before each shipment. While Vietnamese exporters don't file DDS directly, you must supply all the underlying data that enables your EU customer to complete and submit it accurately.

DDS records must be retained for a minimum of 5 years under Article 4(3) of Regulation (EU) 2023/1115.

Step 6: Engage EU Customers Now — Don't Wait

European buyers are already incorporating EUDR data requirements into 2026–2027 purchase contracts. Contact your EU customers proactively to understand their specific template and geolocation data format requirements — each importer may have different internal processes.

5. Penalties for Non-Compliance

EUDR violations can result in:

• Import ban for non-compliant shipments entering the EU
• Financial penalties of up to 4% of EU annual revenue for the importer
• Confiscation of goods and proceeds from non-compliant shipments
• Lasting reputational damage across the entire European supply chain

While penalties directly apply to EU importers, in practice EU buyers will immediately stop purchasing from suppliers who cannot provide complete EUDR documentation.

6. How Studio HGP Is Already EUDR-Ready

Studio HGP (HGP Vietnam Furniture, Thuan An, Binh Duong) has been proactively preparing for EUDR compliance since early 2026:

• ✅ All teak, acacia, and rubber wood materials sourced from FSC-certified plantations with GPS documentation
• ✅ Zero use of natural forest timber — exclusively plantation and farm-grown wood
• ✅ Batch-level traceability system for production lots
• ✅ Experienced team supporting EUDR documentation requests from EU, Australian, and US buyers