According to an investigative study by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) in London, nearly 2,000 container ships have recently arrived in Europe and the United States carrying illegally harvested wood from the Brazilian Amazon, confirming that illegal Amazon timber has reached Europe and the US. Released on Thursday, the investigation linked around 53,000 cubic meters of timber to four locations in Pará that were prohibited, sanctioned, or had other irregularities, such as illegal gold mining.

The 2025 UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) will take place in Belém, the capital of Pará, from November 10 to 21. According to the study, widespread corruption and legal framework manipulation occur at every stage of the supply chain, from harvesting and permitting to exporting.

Regulatory Loopholes and Government Response

The illicit timber trade continues to thrive in the United States, Europe, and Brazil due to gaps in long-standing legislation. The study referenced cases in which SEMAS, Pará’s environmental regulator, either extended or neglected to revoke concessions despite documented infractions. One instance involved a concession that SEMAS had previously disregarded, which was later embargoed by Brazil’s federal environmental agency, Ibama.

In response to inquiries, SEMAS said it reinforces its forestry management evaluation standards and mechanisms in response to inquiries. The agency reported that between February 2023 and January 2025, it seized over 12,000 cubic meters of illegal timber and restricted more than 500,000 hectares of land due to mining and deforestation. Additionally, SEMAS pledged to review the cases mentioned in the report and take action if any irregularities are confirmed.

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Endangered Species and Illegal Trade Networks

The study linked 19 sawmills, 16 exporters, and 30 U.S. and European importers to potentially illicit timber, including high-value and endangered species like cumaru and ipe, which are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Several companies, including Sabra International, a U.S.-based company, had previously been flagged for purchasing illegal timber. Several accused importing and exporting companies did not respond to inquiries about the allegations.

The EIA also found several red flags in the timber supply chain. Some logging sites showed little to no evidence of harvesting, indicating they may have been used to launder illegally sourced wood. Other suppliers had previously been fined or placed under embargo for illegal deforestation or mining, which should have resulted in mandatory operational shutdowns under Brazilian law.

The investigation also found that source documents are frequently bought and sold to legitimize illegally harvested timber. One sawmill representative stated that obtaining fake documentation for ipe is standard practice, and industry insiders acknowledged bribing officials to secure permits or pass inspections.

The findings emphasize the ongoing challenges of regulating the Amazon timber trade and highlight the urgent need for stronger enforcement measures to prevent further environmental destruction as illegal Amazon timber has reached Europe and the US.

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