West & Central Africa
Iroko
Milicia excelsa
Golden brown to deep nut
- Janka
- 5,610 N
- Density
- 640 kg/m³
Joinery, doors, windows, boat building, marine-grade interiors
Hardwood Square Logs
African, European & tropical hardwood square logs, mill-direct to the GCC.
Iroko, sapele, dabema, khaya, wawa, teak, European oak, beech and ash, squared on four faces, kiln-dried where specified, FSC® available, shipped through Jebel Ali, Khalifa, Hamad, Dammam and Sohar for joineries, furniture plants and component shops across the Middle East.
What Are Hardwood Square Logs?
Squared timber, ready for the joinery line.
Hardwood square logs are tropical, African or European hardwood timbers squared on four faces at the origin sawmill, presented as parallel-sided beams free of bark, sap and wane. They are the upstream feedstock for the joinery, furniture, flooring and door industries, the form that lifts downstream yield, simplifies container packing and removes a saw step at destination.
TIC Dubai supplies squared hardwoods from FSC® and OLB-certified West and Central African concessions, European mills in France, Germany, Croatia and Romania, and tropical sources in Myanmar, Indonesia, Ghana and Latin America, consolidated through Jebel Ali for buyers across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq and the wider Middle East.
Species Guide
Nine flagship square-log species.
African workhorses (iroko, sapele, dabema, khaya, wawa), the global teak standard, and the European premium trio (oak, beech, ash), supplied as kiln-dried or air-dried squared timbers at standard and custom sections.
West & Central Africa
Sapele
Entandrophragma cylindricum
Reddish brown, ribbon stripe figure
- Janka
- 6,280 N
- Density
- 640 kg/m³
Furniture, doors, panelling, mahogany alternative, premium joinery
West & Central Africa
Dabema
Piptadeniastrum africanum
Yellow-brown to medium brown
- Janka
- 5,800 N
- Density
- 640 kg/m³
Heavy construction, decking, sleepers, joinery, flooring
West Africa
Khaya (African Mahogany)
Khaya ivorensis
Light pink to deep reddish brown
- Janka
- 3,700 N
- Density
- 560 kg/m³
Furniture, panelling, mouldings, marine joinery, doors
West Africa
Wawa (Obeche)
Triplochiton scleroxylon
Pale yellow to creamy white
- Janka
- 1,900 N
- Density
- 380 kg/m³
Light joinery, mouldings, sauna interiors, plywood core, pattern making
Myanmar, Indonesia, Ghana, Latin America
Teak
Tectona grandis
Golden brown with dark mineral streaks
- Janka
- 4,740 N
- Density
- 655 kg/m³
Yacht decking, marine joinery, exterior furniture, luxury interiors
France, Germany, Croatia, Romania
European Oak
Quercus robur / Quercus petraea
Pale gold to medium brown
- Janka
- 4,980 N
- Density
- 710 kg/m³
Furniture, flooring, joinery, doors, panelling, wine casks
Germany, Croatia, Romania, France
European Beech
Fagus sylvatica
Pale cream to pinkish brown (steamed: warm pink)
- Janka
- 5,810 N
- Density
- 720 kg/m³
Furniture, doors, plywood cores, steam-bent joinery, interior fit-out
Europe, Russia, Ukraine
European Ash
Fraxinus excelsior
Cream to light brown, bold straight grain
- Janka
- 5,870 N
- Density
- 680 kg/m³
Furniture, flooring, sports equipment, joinery, interior panelling
Applications
From sawmill feedstock to finished joinery.
Joinery
Doors, frames, mouldings, architraves and interior architectural millwork in hardwoods chosen for stability and finish.
Furniture
Solid hardwood furniture frames, table tops, structural carcasses and visible joinery in premium species.
Doors & Windows
Engineered and solid door blanks and window sections, machined from squared logs rather than re-glued boards.
Flooring
Strip, plank and engineered flooring layers, sawn from squared logs and kiln-dried to 8–10% MC.
Timber Processing
Sawmills, profile producers and component plants converting squares into boards, blanks and cut-to-size stock.
Export Markets
Re-export to Saudi Arabia, GCC, Levant, Iraq and Indian subcontinent in 20' and 40' containers.
Dimensions & Tolerances
Standard sections, custom sizes on enquiry.
Cross-sections from 100 mm to 300 mm, lengths from 1.8 m to 6.0 m, ±5 mm tolerance per face. Larger sections subject to species log diameter at origin.
| Common Section (mm) | 100×100, 150×150, 200×200, 250×250, 300×300, and custom |
|---|---|
| Length | 1.8 m – 6.0 m (3.0 m and 4.0 m most-used) |
| Tolerance (cross-section) | ±5 mm on each face |
| Tolerance (length) | +50 / −0 mm |
| Moisture Content (KD) | 10–14% (interior joinery), 14–18% (general construction) |
| Moisture Content (AD) | 18–25% (air-dried, regional climate dependent) |
| Density Range | 380–760 kg/m³ depending on species |
| Squaring Method | Twin band-saw or chainsaw-squared, bark-free, sap-free |
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KD vs AD
Kiln-dried or air-dried, match the moisture to the end use.
| Aspect | Kiln Dried (KD) | Air Dried (AD) |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Forced drying in industrial kiln chambers | Open-stack drying under cover at ambient humidity |
| Final MC | 8–14% typical, predictable | 16–25% depending on origin climate |
| Drying Time | 1–6 weeks | 6–18 months |
| Stability in GCC | Stable in air-conditioned interiors | Will continue drying on arrival; movement expected |
| Cost | Premium (energy + handling) | Lower per cubic metre |
| Best For | Joinery, furniture, flooring, doors | Heavy construction, sleepers, re-sawing into boards |
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Rough Sawn vs Square Logs
Why squared timber outperforms rough sawn in joinery.
| Aspect | Rough Sawn | Square Logs |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Sawn boards with live edges or one straight edge | Four-sided squared timbers, parallel faces |
| Yield | Wider boards, more waste in joinery | Higher usable volume per m³ for joinery and re-sawing |
| Container Packing | Lower packing efficiency | Tight, near-perfect packing density |
| Best Use | Workshops re-sawing to width | Production lines, component plants, mouldings, doors |
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Container Optimization
Squared, banded, barriered, every cubic metre accounted for.
- 20' container: ~22–25 m³ squared hardwood, ~18–22 MT depending on species density.
- 40' container: ~50–55 m³, ~36–44 MT depending on species density.
- High-density species (iroko, sapele, dabema): volume usually limited by container weight, not space.
- Low-density species (wawa, ayous): volume limited by space, not weight.
- Mixed-species loading available, species partitioned by section size for downstream sorting.
- Bundle banding, plastic corner protection and moisture barrier provided as standard for sea freight to UAE and GCC.
Inspection Checklist
Ten checks before the container seal goes on.
- Cross-section squareness on all four faces (±5 mm tolerance)
- Bark, sap and wane free on the squared faces
- End-grain free of heart shake, ring shake and major end checks
- Moisture content within specified range (KD or AD)
- Species identification verified against shipping documents
- Phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin and packing list complete
- FSC® / PEFC / OLB chain-of-custody documents (where applicable)
- EUDR due-diligence statement (for EU re-export consignments)
- Container photographs at load port: stack, banding, moisture barrier, seal number
- Quantity reconciled against packing list before container seal
Storage Guidelines
Cross-stack, end-seal, acclimatise.
Yard Storage
Cross-stack squared logs on 100 mm bearers above the ground, with airflow between layers. Cover the top with breathable tarp, not plastic sheeting.
Indoor Storage
For KD material, store in a roofed yard with ambient airflow. Avoid stacking against external walls in UAE summer humidity.
End Sealing
Apply wax-based end-sealer to freshly squared ends within 24 hours to prevent end checks and splits during acclimatisation.
Stack Stability
Maximum 4-metre stack height for 300 mm sections, 3-metre for 200 mm, 2-metre for 150 mm to maintain stack integrity.
Acclimatisation
Allow KD hardwoods 2–4 weeks at site before machining; AD hardwoods require 8–12 weeks to reach equilibrium MC in air-conditioned space.
Common Defects
What to accept, what to reject.
Heart Shake
Radial split through the pith. Reject pieces with cracks extending beyond 1/3 of the cross-section.
Ring Shake
Separation between growth rings. Cosmetic on most species, but downgrade for high-stress structural use.
End Checks
Splits at the cut ends caused by uneven drying. Trim back 50–100 mm to clean stock before machining.
Wane
Residual bark or rounded edge on the squared face. Squared logs should be wane-free; flag at inspection.
Insect Holes
Pin-hole borer activity (acceptable in some species) vs powder-post or termite damage (reject). Always specify in tender.
Mineral Streaks
Dark mineral deposits common in iroko, teak and oak. Aesthetic, not structural. Accept as character.
Spalting / Fungal Stain
Dark fungal lines in slow-dried logs. Acceptable for rustic interiors, reject for premium furniture grades.
Warp / Twist
Diamonding or bowing caused by incorrect drying. Reject pieces with deflection beyond 10 mm per 3-metre length.
Procurement Guide
Eight RFQ lines that get the right offer back.
- 01Confirm species, grade, section sizes, lengths and MC range in the RFQ.
- 02State end use: joinery, doors, furniture, flooring, drives KD vs AD specification.
- 03Specify FSC® / PEFC / OLB certification if your client or jurisdiction (EU re-export) requires it.
- 04Request mill or load-port inspection (TIC Dubai coordinates SGS, Bureau Veritas, TUV).
- 05Confirm port of discharge (Jebel Ali, Khalifa, Hamad, Dammam, Sohar) and clearing agent.
- 06Lock incoterms: FOB load port, CFR / CIF discharge port, or DAP yard delivery.
- 07Lock payment terms: LC at sight, DP, advance, or open-account for repeat buyers.
- 08Confirm phytosanitary, certificate of origin, packing list and BL documentation.
Regional Supply Coverage
Hardwoods across the GCC and Middle East
African and North American hardwoods for premium architectural projects.
Shipments routed through Jebel Ali, Khalifa, Hamad, King Abdulaziz Dammam, Sohar and other major regional ports, coordinated with contractor and procurement schedules.
Sapele, Iroko, Meranti, White Oak, American Walnut, Ash and other premium hardwoods are supplied (kiln-dried, graded and packed) for joinery workshops, luxury fit-out contractors, hotel developers and yacht builders across the UAE, KSA, Qatar and the wider GCC.
United Arab Emirates
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- Sharjah
- Ajman
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Fujairah
- Umm Al Quwain
- Al Ain
- Khor Fakkan
Saudi Arabia
- Riyadh
- Jeddah
- Dammam
- Al Khobar
- Jubail
- Yanbu
- Mecca
- Medina
- Tabuk
- Abha
UAE Industrial Zones
- JAFZA
- DIP
- Dubai Industrial City
- Sharjah Industrial Area
- KIZAD
- Hamriyah Free Zone
- RAKEZ
- SAIF Zone
Qatar · Kuwait · Bahrain · Oman
- Doha
- Lusail
- Al Rayyan
- Mesaieed
- Al Wakrah
- Kuwait City
- Shuwaikh
- Shuaiba
- Ahmadi
- Manama
- Muharraq
- Riffa
- Sitra
- Muscat
- Sohar
- Salalah
- Duqm
- Nizwa
Jordan · Iraq
- Amman
- Zarqa
- Irbid
- Aqaba
- Baghdad
- Erbil
- Basra
- Mosul
- Najaf
- Karbala
- Sulaymaniyah
- Kirkuk
Regional Ports & Logistics
- Jebel Ali Port
- Khalifa Port
- Hamriyah Port
- Port Rashid
- Khor Fakkan Port
- King Abdulaziz Port Dammam
- Jeddah Islamic Port
- King Abdullah Port
- Jubail Commercial Port
- Yanbu Commercial Port
- Hamad Port
- Shuwaikh Port
- Shuaiba Port
- Khalifa Bin Salman Port
- Port of Sohar
- Port of Salalah
- Port of Duqm
- Port of Aqaba
- Umm Qasr Port
- Khor Al Zubair Port
Frequently Asked Questions
Hardwood square log questions, answered.
What are hardwood square logs?
Hardwood square logs are tropical, African, European or American hardwood timbers squared on four faces by twin band-saw or chainsaw, presented as parallel-sided beams free of bark, sap and wane. They are the upstream feedstock for sawmills, joinery shops and component plants converting timber into boards, blanks, mouldings and finished joinery.
Which species do you supply as square logs?
Iroko, sapele, dabema, khaya (African mahogany), wawa, teak, European oak, European beech, European ash, padouk, okan, okoume, azobe, kossipo, movingui, dibetou, afrormosia, ayous, bilinga and bubinga. We also supply American hardwoods (walnut, maple, cherry, red oak, white oak) on request.
What is the difference between hardwood square logs and round logs?
Round logs are felled timber in their natural cylindrical form, sold to sawmills that perform primary breakdown. Square logs are pre-squared at origin, lifting downstream yield, simplifying container packing, and removing the requirement for a primary breakdown saw at destination.
What sizes are available?
Common cross-sections are 100×100, 150×150, 200×200, 250×250 and 300×300 mm. Larger custom sections are available subject to log diameter. Lengths range from 1.8 m to 6.0 m, with 3.0 m and 4.0 m most-used in GCC joinery.
What tolerance do you supply on cross-section and length?
±5 mm on each face for cross-section, +50 / −0 mm on length, measured at ambient temperature on the squared face. Tighter tolerances are available for industrial component plants on enquiry.
What moisture content do you supply?
Kiln-dried (KD) at 10–14% for joinery, furniture and flooring stock destined for air-conditioned interiors. Kiln-dried at 14–18% for general interior construction. Air-dried (AD) at 18–25% for heavy construction, sleepers and re-sawing operations where buyers run a finishing kiln.
What is the difference between kiln-dried and air-dried hardwood?
Kiln-dried timber is force-dried in industrial chambers to a controlled final MC within 1–6 weeks. Air-dried timber is open-stacked under cover at ambient humidity, taking 6–18 months and reaching 16–25% MC depending on origin climate. KD is stable in GCC interiors; AD will continue drying on arrival and is best for buyers running their own kilns.
Are your hardwoods FSC certified?
Yes. FSC®, PEFC and OLB certification is available across most African and European species on enquiry. We supply full chain-of-custody documentation and EUDR due-diligence statements for EU re-export consignments.
Which is the most popular hardwood square log species in the GCC?
Iroko, sapele and dabema dominate joinery and door production. Khaya (African mahogany) is preferred for furniture and panelling. Teak is the marine and yacht standard. European oak and beech serve premium interior fit-out and steam-bent joinery.
What is the difference between iroko and teak?
Both are durable golden-brown hardwoods, but teak (Tectona grandis) is denser, oilier and more dimensionally stable in marine use. Iroko (Milicia excelsa) is the African equivalent for joinery and exterior architecture, at roughly half the cost. Iroko replaces teak in most GCC joinery and door specifications.
What is the difference between sapele and African mahogany (khaya)?
Sapele (Entandrophragma cylindricum) is denser (~640 kg/m³), darker reddish-brown, with ribbon stripe figure on quarter-sawn faces. Khaya (Khaya ivorensis) is lighter (~560 kg/m³), pinker, more open-grained and easier to machine. Sapele is the premium specification; khaya is the workhorse.
What container quantities do you ship?
Full 20' (~22–25 m³) and 40' (~50–55 m³) containers are the standard sea-freight unit. Mixed-species and mixed-section containers are loaded against the packing list, banded and protected with moisture barrier for transit to UAE and GCC ports.
Which UAE port do you discharge at?
Jebel Ali (Dubai) is the primary discharge for UAE-bound timber, with Khalifa (Abu Dhabi) and Hamriyah (Sharjah) available for specific buyer locations. We coordinate clearing, transport and yard delivery on request.
Do you ship to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq?
Yes. Saudi Arabia ships through Jeddah Islamic Port, King Abdullah Port or Dammam. Qatar via Hamad Port. Oman via Sohar or Salalah. Kuwait via Shuwaikh, Bahrain via Khalifa Bin Salman, Iraq via Umm Qasr or Khor Al Zubair.
What lead time should I plan for?
African and tropical hardwood square logs typically ship in 30–45 days from origin to GCC discharge. European hardwoods in 25–35 days. Production timelines depend on log availability at origin sawmills; lock orders 60–90 days ahead of site requirement for high-volume programmes.
Do you provide third-party inspection before shipping?
Yes. TIC Dubai coordinates SGS, Bureau Veritas, TUV or buyer-nominated inspection at origin mill or load port. Inspection reports cover species verification, dimensional accuracy, MC, grade, quantity and container loading.
What documentation accompanies each shipment?
Original Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate, chain-of-custody certificate (FSC® / PEFC / OLB) where applicable, EUDR due-diligence statement (for EU re-export) and a heat-treatment certificate where required.
Are hardwood square logs heat-treated?
Hardwood square logs are heat-treated to ISPM-15 only where the buyer or jurisdiction requires it (typically for re-export packaging). Treatment is declared on the phytosanitary certificate at origin.
How should I store hardwood square logs on arrival?
Cross-stack on 100 mm bearers above the ground, with airflow between layers, under a breathable canopy. Avoid stacking against external walls in UAE summer humidity. End-seal freshly cut faces within 24 hours. Allow 2–4 weeks acclimatisation for KD, 8–12 weeks for AD before machining.
What defects should I check at incoming inspection?
Heart shake, ring shake, end checks, wane, insect borer holes, mineral streaks, fungal staining, warp and twist. Reject pieces with structural defects (heart shake beyond 1/3 of cross-section, active insect damage, deflection beyond 10 mm per 3 m). Accept aesthetic defects (mineral streaks, character marks) as species character.
What is lumber recovery from a hardwood square log?
Typical recovery from squared hardwood to finished joinery stock is 60–75% by volume, depending on section size, species and final product. Squaring at origin lifts recovery 8–15% versus shipping round logs and breaking down at destination.
Can you supply specific export-grade specifications?
Yes. Standard grades include FAS (First and Seconds, premium clear), Selects, No.1 Common and No.2 Common, mapped to species-specific origin grading rules. We supply grading rules with the offer and inspect against them at load port.
Do you supply CITES-listed species?
We do not trade CITES Appendix I species. CITES Appendix II species (e.g. African padouk, bubinga and some rosewoods) are supplied only with valid CITES export and re-export permits issued by competent national authorities. Specify at RFQ stage.
What payment terms do you accept?
Letter of Credit at sight, Documents against Payment (DP), advance payment, and open-account for established repeat buyers. We work with project bankers across UAE, Saudi Arabia and GCC to structure terms that fit your treasury policy.
Why source through TIC Dubai instead of buying direct?
Mill-direct from origin to destination through a single counterparty in Dubai. Documentation, banking, port clearance, third-party inspection, container consolidation and after-sales claims handled in one workflow, in your timezone, in English and Arabic, with regional warehouses for fast top-ups.
Knowledge & Resources
Technical reading on hardwood square logs.
Sourcing, grading, drying and storage, the operational reference for buyers and joinery managers across the GCC.
Hardwood Square Logs · 7 min read
What Are Hardwood Square Logs?
Hardwood timbers squared on four faces at the origin sawmill: what they are, how they're produced, and why GCC joineries specify them over round logs.
Read article
Hardwood Square Logs · 9 min read
African Hardwood Species Guide for Joinery Buyers
Fourteen African hardwood species explained for procurement teams, joinery managers and consultants specifying squared timber for GCC projects.
Read article
Hardwood Square Logs · 7 min read
Iroko Square Logs: Properties, Grades and Applications
Iroko is the African teak substitute that dominates GCC joinery. A full technical reference for buyers and joinery managers.
Read article
Hardwood Square Logs · 6 min read
Dabema Square Logs: The Heavy-Construction African Workhorse
Dabema is the African hardwood that quietly carries the heavy-construction, sleeper and decking market across the GCC.
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Hardwood Square Logs · 6 min read
Khaya Square Logs: African Mahogany Explained
Khaya is the African Mahogany that built the modern GCC furniture and door industry. A complete technical reference.
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MATERIAL COMPARISON
Hardwood Square Logs · 6 min read
KD vs AD Hardwoods: Which Moisture Spec for the GCC?
The moisture spec on your RFQ decides whether your joinery survives a UAE summer. A buyers' guide to KD and AD hardwoods.
Read article
Hardwood square log enquiries
Get a hardwood square log offer this week.
Share species, sections, lengths, MC, certification and discharge port. TIC Dubai will revert with a fully landed offer, MTC documentation and load-port inspection coordinated.