Timber in and out of Laos, how to keep records? Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Decision No. 1045 helps you clarify

木材进出老挝，台账怎么记？农林部1045号决定帮你理清

ໄມ້ເຂົ້າ-ອອກລາວ, ປື້ມບັນຊີຈະບັນທຶກແນວໃດ? ຂໍ້ຕົກລົງສະບັບເລກທີ 1045 ຂອງກະຊວງກະສິກຳແລະປ່າໄມ້ຊ່ວຍເຈົ້າໃຫ້ລຽບງ່າຍ

Published: 2026-09-08 · LaoPaniti legal guides

Doing timber business in Laos, sawmills, processing plants, furniture factories, warehouses... timber goes in and out every day. If records are unclear, you may face trouble when agriculture and forestry authorities inspect. On January 16, 2023, the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry issued the "Decision on the Management and Monitoring of Timber Input and Output" (No. 1045), which sets out systematic requirements for timber business operators to record, monitor, and inspect timber in and out.

This document is not new, but its impact on you who are still operating is real.

Ledger System: From entry to exit, every step must leave a trace

According to Article 5 of the Decision, timber business operators must establish a "timber input and output ledger management system," recording every step from timber import (or purchase) to export (or sale) using forms designated by the agriculture and forestry authorities.

How exactly to record? The Decision makes detailed distinctions for different types of operations:

Sawmills (Article 6): Record timber brought in for sawing, register produced timber, calculate sawing utilization rate and losses;
Timber processing plants (Article 7): Record timber brought in for processing, register timber sent out, calculate processing utilization rate and losses;
Furniture factories (Article 8): Count on entry, record on exit, calculate utilization rate and losses;
Household furniture factories (Article 9): Register inputs, record outputs, calculate utilization rate and losses;
Timber warehousing (Article 10): Record timber entering storage, register timber distributed out, record losses or unusable timber.

In short, the origin and destination of every piece of timber must be traceable.

Why so strict? For sustainability and for your business compliance

Article 1 of the Decision states clearly: the purpose is to effectively manage timber use in accordance with the Law, promote sustainable forest resource utilization, and advance industry modernization. Article 2 also emphasizes that the management and monitoring of timber input and output is a systematic process of recording, monitoring, inspection, and reporting from import to export.

For business operators, compliance is not only about avoiding fines but also the foundation for long-term operation. If you still use a "rough record" approach, it is recommended to compare with the above provisions and complete your ledgers.

If you are still unclear about the compliance requirements for timber export, you can read our previous article "[New Regulations for Timber Export in Laos: What Can Be Sold and What Cannot? Explained in One Article](https:\/\/www.123laoai.com\/guide\/190)". Combining both will help you grasp the rules more comprehensively.

Who does it apply to? Domestic and foreign individuals, legal entities, or organizations cannot escape

Article 4 of the Decision clarifies that it applies to domestic and foreign individuals, legal entities, or organizations engaged in timber business operations within Laos. That means whether you are a local boss or a Chinese investor, as long as you do timber business in Laos, you must comply with this ledger system.

In addition, Article 3 of the Decision defines terms such as "timber business operator," "timber utilization rate," and "timber products." Understanding these definitions helps you implement accurately. For example, "timber utilization rate" refers to the ratio of the net volume of timber products actually measured to the original volume of timber, which directly affects whether the calculation of losses is compliant.

Don't let the ledger become your weakness

The ledger system may seem cumbersome, but it is a line of defense to protect your business. Instead of scrambling during inspections, it is better to establish a standardized recording process now. If you are unsure whether your ledger meets the requirements or want to know how to fill in specific forms, you can go to [https:\/\/www.123laoai.com](https:\/\/www.123laoai.com) and ask the LaoPaniti AI for free, and get reference suggestions within minutes.

This article is compiled by LaoPaniti for reference only and does not constitute legal advice.

FAQ

I run a small furniture factory. Do I also need to keep ledgers according to this Decision?

Yes. Article 4 of the Decision stipulates that it applies to domestic and foreign individuals, legal entities, or organizations engaged in timber business operations in Laos. Article 9 specifically targets household furniture factories, requiring registration of input timber, recording of output, and calculation of timber utilization rate and losses during processing. Therefore, even small factories must establish ledgers.

What forms should be used for ledger records?

According to Article 5 of the Decision, every step of recording must be archived using printed forms designated by the agriculture and forestry authorities. For specific form templates, it is recommended to consult the local agriculture and forestry department.

What are the consequences if I don't keep ledgers?

The Decision itself mainly sets out management principles and measures, without explicit penalties. However, under this regulation, agriculture and forestry authorities have the right to monitor and inspect timber business operators. If ledgers are missing, it may affect your business compliance, so it is recommended to cooperate proactively.

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