Two quotations may show the same species and the same unit, yet describe very different timber.

A buyer receives two prices for Iroko, both quoted per cubic metre. One offer is for air-dried, random-width boards in mixed lengths. The other is kiln-dried, cut to selected widths and longer lengths, with freight included. Comparing the figures alone would be like comparing two different products.

At SHD Wood, the useful questions usually come before the final number: Which thickness? AD or KD? What width and length mix can the factory accept? What grade, shipment terms and destination? Those details shape the quotation.

FIRST, PUT THE TWO OFFERS ON THE SAME PAGE

01  Drying has a cost — and a purpose

KD timber requires controlled drying, energy and handling. AD timber may suit a buyer with its own drying capacity, but could require additional conditioning before precision production. Neither label is enough on its own: ask for the actual moisture requirement and inspection method.

02  Width and length affect what you can use

Long, wide boards and fixed dimensions can be harder to select or produce. A lower-priced mixed-length, random-width lot may still be excellent value for a factory that can optimise its cutting. For repeat components, a tighter size mix may reduce processing and waste.

03  Grade names need a common definition

FAS, AIC and other grade descriptions are useful starting points, not a substitute for an agreed quality standard. Ask about allowable defects, sapwood, wane, splits and face requirements. The important question is how much suitable material your factory can recover, not which label looks most impressive.

04  Origin and documentation shape availability

The same species may come from different African origins with different milling capacity, transport routes, export procedures and stock availability. Legal-sourcing and traceability requirements also vary by destination and shipment. Confirm the documents available for the specific lot before treating two sources as interchangeable.

05  Freight can change the comparison completely

FOB and CFR are not the same price basis. Under FOB, the buyer normally arranges and pays for the main ocean carriage; under CFR, the seller pays freight to the named destination port. Insurance, discharge costs, import charges and inland transport should also be checked separately. Compare a consistent landed-cost basis, not just the seller's headline figure.

Before you compare two quotes, check these details

The best offer is not always the lowest price per m³. It is the shipment that gives your factory the right usable material, with clear terms and no expensive surprises.

Need a comparable quotation? Share your species, dimensions, AD/KD requirement, grade, approximate volume and destination port with SHD Wood.

WhatsApp  +86 18118704971   |   lisa@shdwood.com   |   www.shdtimber.com