Frequently Asked Questions about Okoume

Q1: Is Okoume really suitable for outdoor use? Won‘t it rot after a year or two?

A: Okoume’s natural durability is Class 3–4 (moderate to slightly durable) under EN 350 – not as inherently water resistant as Iroko or Azobe. However, with proper outdoor wood oil or varnish coating, it works perfectly for outdoor pavilions, pergolas, garden furniture, and other non ground contact applications. Our Vietnamese customer has been using it for over two years – no rot, no structural issues. The key is: don‘t leave it unfinished. Protect it.

Q2: Between Okoume, Iroko and Azobe, which is best for outdoor use?

A: If your project demands extreme durability (coastal boardwalks, boat decks, structures in constant water contact), Iroko or Azobe are safer choices. But if your project is ordinary outdoor pavilions, garden furniture, resort outdoor decor, with reasonable coating and maintenance, Okoume’s performance is perfectly adequate – and much more price friendly. Simply put: Azobe is a tank; Okoume is a pickup truck – choose according to your needs.

Q3: Can you provide FSC certification for Okoume?

A: Yes. We source from sustainably managed forests in Congo and Gabon. Full FSC certification documents are available with every shipment. We can also provide origin certificates and CITES compliance documentation (Okoume is not listed in CITES appendices, but traceability is still our standard practice).

Q4: What is the minimum order quantity? Can I try a small container first?

A: Yes. We support trial orders of one 20ft or 40ft container. You don’t need to sign an annual framework from the start. Take a small container for production testing – if you are satisfied, then we can talk about long term cooperation.

Q5: What is your typical lead time? Will it take two or three months like teak?

A: For standard specifications (e.g., 50mm KD, 2.4m–5m), we ship 15–20 days after contract confirmation. We maintain safety stock in both Congo and Gabon, so long delays due to policy changes or weather in a single origin are avoided.

Q6: What are the advantages of using Okoume as plywood core compared to other woods?

A: Three core advantages: higher rotary peeling yield (8–10% higher than most tropical hardwoods); stable gluing performance (works with any adhesive, low risk of delamination); low drying cost (fast drying, saves time and energy). For plywood mills, these directly improve profit margins.

Q7: Does the price of Okoume fluctuate a lot? How can you help me lock in costs?

A: Okoume prices do fluctuate due to origin policies (e.g., Gabon‘s export duty adjustments), ocean freight rates, and currency exchange rates. But we help customers control costs in three ways: First, dual origin stocking (Congo + Gabon) – when one origin tightens policies, the other helps stabilise prices. Second, long term freight contracts with carriers like MSC and Maersk, keeping freight fluctuations within 5%. Third, fixed quotation validity (7–10 days) – giving you enough time to quote your downstream customers without worrying about overnight price hikes. For long term partners, we can also sign quarterly or annual pricing agreements.

If you want to know more informations about okoume，please feel free to contact us.

HONG KONG SENHEDA WOOD LIMITED

WhatsApp / WeChat / Call:

+86 13534205619 (Anna Liu)
+86 13530895049 (Vivian)

www.shdtimber.com