If you supply tropical hardwood, you may ask whether a Vietnam buyer prefers logs, squared timber or sawn timber. There is no single answer: each form is a different product with its own specification, photos and questions. What matters is that your offer says clearly which form you are selling, because a buyer cannot evaluate a lot described only as "hardwood".
The three forms in plain terms
- Logs are round timber, usually with bark removed, sold by diameter and length range.
- Squared timber (squares, or "square logs") is a log hewn or sawn to a square or rectangular section but not yet cut into boards.
- Sawn timber is cut to thickness, width and length specifications. It may be fresh-sawn or dried, and this must be stated.
Many suppliers can produce more than one form from the same resource. If so, send a separate line or offer for each form: the specification, the monthly volume and the photos are different for each.
What a buyer looks at in each form
Logs
Diameter and length ranges, how logs are marked, and the condition of the log ends: cracks, heart, roundness. Close photos of log ends and a wide photo of the stack tell the buyer a lot.
Squared timber
Section sizes (thickness × width), length range, how much sapwood or wane remains, and whether ends are sealed or marked. State if the sizes are fixed or a range.
Sawn timber
Thickness, width and length specifications, the grade or quality description, and whether it is fresh-sawn or dried. Describe allowed defects in your own grading terms and say which grading rules you use.
How to choose what to offer
- Offer what you can supply consistently. A buyer values the same specification in every container more than a one-off lot.
- Match the form to your real stock. Send photos of the actual lot, not of other material.
- Do not mix forms in one line. "Logs and sawn timber, 100 m³" cannot be assessed; two lines can.
- Say what you can load. Give the approximate volume you normally put in a 20' or 40' container for that form.
What to include in every offer
Whatever the form: species (trade name and scientific name), origin country, port of loading, Incoterm and currency of your price basis, stock available now, volume you can supply per month, and recent photos. See the full checklist in how to submit a timber offer to a Vietnam buyer.
Send your offer to DA Global
DA Global looks for specific species and forms, and we do not buy every volume or specification. You can see what we are looking for on the buying requests page and on our raw timber sourcing page. For a species-specific example, read the Tali supplier guide. Then use the offer form on this page with your form, specification, volume, photos and a contact email or WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Do you prefer logs, squares or sawn timber?
It depends on the current request. Check the buying requests page, and if your form is not listed, send the offer anyway with full details.
Can I offer two forms of the same species?
Yes. Send them as separate lines so each can be assessed on its own specification and photos.
Do I need to say if sawn timber is dried?
Yes. Fresh-sawn and dried timber are handled and used differently, so always state which one it is.
Should I send photos with the first message?
Yes. Photos of the actual lot make it much easier to decide whether to continue the discussion.