Intro
Every agarwood order of 1 kg or more exported from Vietnam must travel with a CITES permit. Vietnamese customs will not clear the shipment without one. If you buy oud chips or Vietnam oud oil in volume, this is the one document that matters most.
TH Oud Vietnam is a Vietnamese oud supplier exporting 100% Vietnamese agarwood and oud oil to resellers, perfumers and oud lovers worldwide. This guide explains what CITES is, why agarwood needs it, which documents you receive, and how to plan your order so it arrives on time.
Key takeaways
- Agarwood-producing trees (Aquilaria and Gyrinops) are listed in CITES Appendix II, so their international trade is controlled.
- In Vietnam, every agarwood export of 1 kg or more requires a CITES export permit.
- The permit proves your oud was sourced and traded legally, and it travels with the shipment.
- A good supplier applies for the permit and prepares all export documents for you.
- Plan ahead: with TH Oud Vietnam, the CITES permit takes 8 to 12 working days.
What Is CITES, and Why Does Agarwood Need It?
CITES is the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement that controls trade in protected plants and animals. More than 180 parties around the world have signed it, including Vietnam, and they agree to check that protected species are traded legally and sustainably.
Agarwood comes from Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees. Because wild agarwood has been heavily harvested, these trees are listed in CITES Appendix II. Appendix II does not ban trade. It means each export needs a permit showing that the wood was obtained legally and that the trade does not threaten the species.
The rule covers agarwood in all its main traded forms, including oud chips, chunks and oud oil. CITES has specifically confirmed that wood chips stay under control even when packed for retail, because chips are such a large part of the agarwood trade.
When Do You Need a CITES Permit? The 1 kg Rule
For exports from Vietnam, the rule is simple: if your order contains 1 kg or more of agarwood, it needs a CITES permit. This is a requirement of Vietnamese customs, and we apply it to every order.
| Your order | CITES permit |
|---|---|
| Oud chips, Mori, flat chips or chunks, 1 kg or more | Required |
| Mixed oud products totalling 1 kg or more | Required |
| Agarwood orders under 1 kg | Not required for export from Vietnam |
Browse what you can order by the kilogram: Oud Chips, Flat Oud Chips, Mori, Ant Oud and Vietnam Oud Oil.
What about personal travel?
CITES also allows travellers to carry small amounts of agarwood as personal effects without a permit: up to 1 kg of wood chips, 24 ml of oil, and two sets of beads or two bracelets per person. This exemption is for personal belongings, not for goods bought to resell. Commercial orders follow the rule above.
Documents You Receive from TH Oud Vietnam
With every eligible order, we prepare a full set of export documents, so your shipment clears customs in Vietnam and at your destination.
| Document | What it shows | When |
|---|---|---|
| CITES export permit | The agarwood was obtained and traded legally | Orders of 1 kg or more |
| Certificate of Origin (CO) | The product comes from Vietnam | On request |
| Certificate of Analysis (COA) | The composition of the oud oil | On request |
| Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) | Safe handling and transport of the oil | On request |
| Commercial invoice and packing list | What is in the shipment and its value | Every order |
The original CITES permit travels with your shipment, and we send you copies of all documents in advance so you can prepare for import.
How a CITES Permit Is Issued in Vietnam
CITES export permits in Vietnam are issued by the Vietnam CITES Management Authority, under Decree 06/2019/NĐ-CP and its amendments. As the exporter, TH Oud Vietnam handles the whole application for you.
- You confirm your order: products, weights and destination country.
- We prepare the application: the permit request and documents proving the legal origin of the agarwood.
- We file it with the CITES Management Authority, directly or through Vietnam’s National Single Window portal.
- The authority reviews it. Under Vietnamese rules, a complete application is decided within 8 working days. If the authority needs to consult its scientific body or the importing country, this can take up to 30 working days. For TH Oud Vietnam orders, the permit is ready in 8 to 12 working days.
- The permit is issued and attached to your shipment. One original permit is issued per shipment, and it is valid for up to 6 months.
These are the official processing times; the full lead time for your order also includes preparing the goods and shipping.
Planning Your Order: Lead Times and Seasonal Stock
An order with a CITES permit takes longer than a small parcel, so build that time into your buying plan.
- CITES permit: 8 to 12 working days with TH Oud Vietnam, for first and repeat orders alike.
- Shipping: once documents are ready, we ship worldwide by DHL, UPS or FedEx, or by air cargo for larger orders.
Stock up early for peak seasons
Demand for oud peaks before key seasons, such as Ramadan and Eid in many markets and the year-end gift season in others, and so do shipping volumes. If you resell oud, place your order several weeks before the season starts so your stock arrives with time to spare. Tell us your target arrival date and we will work back from it.
Check Your Destination Country’s Rules
The Vietnamese CITES permit covers the export side. Your own country may have its own import rules for agarwood, such as an import permit, a customs declaration or limits on certain products. Rules also change over time.
Before your first order, we recommend you:
- Ask your customs broker or local CITES authority what they require for agarwood imports.
- Tell us your destination country, so we can prepare documents in the format your customs expects.
- Keep copies of every CITES permit and invoice, in case your customs or your own customers ask for proof of origin.
Why CITES Protects You as a Buyer
A CITES permit is more than paperwork. For a reseller, it protects your stock, your money and your reputation.
- Smooth customs clearance: shipments with correct documents are far less likely to be held or seized.
- Proof of legal origin: you can show your customers and your authorities that your oud was traded legally.
- Trust in the supplier: a seller who cannot provide a CITES permit for a large order is a warning sign.
- Sustainable supply: controlled trade helps protect agarwood trees, so Vietnamese oud stays available for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a CITES permit to import agarwood from Vietnam? Yes, for any order of 1 kg or more. Vietnamese customs require a CITES export permit, and TH Oud Vietnam prepares it for you.
I want 800 g of oud chips. Do I need CITES? No. Orders under 1 kg are exported from Vietnam without a CITES permit. Check your own country’s import rules.
Does the 1 kg limit apply per product or per order? Per order. If several oud products together weigh 1 kg or more, the order needs a CITES permit.
Does oud oil need a CITES permit? Agarwood oil, such as our Oud Oil S1, is covered by CITES. Tell us the volume you need and your destination, and we will confirm the documents for your order.
How long is a Vietnamese CITES permit valid? Up to 6 months from issue, for the shipment it was issued for.
How long does it take to get a CITES permit? With TH Oud Vietnam, the CITES permit takes 8 to 12 working days. We then ship your order with all export documents.
Can I see the CITES permit before the goods arrive? Yes. We send you copies of all documents before shipping.
Ready to Order 1 kg or More?
Buying Vietnam oud in volume does not have to be complicated. Send us the products and quantities you need and your destination country on WhatsApp. We reply with prices, sample options and a document timeline, then handle the CITES permit and export paperwork for you.
Request prices and a CITES timeline on WhatsApp → · Explore Vietnam Oud Oil →
