Agarwood

Authentic agarwood is formed through a natural defense mechanism of the Aquilaria tree against fungi. When sourcing, check for irregular resin patterns rather than uniform black coloring. Natural agarwood will release a complex, evolving scent when heated, whereas chemically treated wood often smells acrid, oily, or one-dimensional. Always request a water-sinking test (Submerged Grade) to verify resin density, as high-quality agarwood should sink or half-sink.

Agarwood is generally graded by resin content, origin, and form (chips, logs, or oil). The highest grade is Kinamic or Kyara, followed by Sinking Grade (Double Super). For commercial B2B purposes, ensure the supplier specifies the species (e.g., Aquilaria Malaccensis or Crassna) and the percentage of resin saturation. Grade 'A' or 'Super' should have a visible oil sheen and a high fragrance retention time.

Because Aquilaria species are endangered, they are protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) Appendix II. Any cross-border transaction must be accompanied by a CITES Export Permit from the country of origin and a Phytosanitary Certificate. Importing without these documents can lead to seizure by customs and heavy fines.

Agarwood Chips and Chunks are primarily used for traditional incense burning and religious ceremonies. Agarwood Essential Oil (Oud Oil) is a base note for high-end perfumery and requires GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) reports to verify purity. Agarwood Powder is used for making incense coils or sticks, where the mesh size and binder ratio are critical technical specs.

The most significant risk is legal non-compliance regarding CITES regulations. Many suppliers may claim their wood is 'wild,' but wild agarwood trade is strictly restricted. Ensure your supplier provides legal plantation certification. Additionally, use Secure Payment services on Made-in-China.com to protect your funds until the third-party inspection (such as SGS or CCIC) confirms the weight and grade at the loading port.

Agarwood pricing is highly volatile. Negotiate based on gram weight for high-grades and kilogram weight for chips. Ask for a tiered pricing structure where the price drops by 10-15% for volumes exceeding 5kg. Request a pre-shipment sample from the exact batch you will receive, and stipulate in the contract that the bulk must match the moisture content (ideally <10%) of the sample to avoid paying for water weight.

Agarwood is a high-value, low-volume commodity. It should be shipped via insured air express (DHL/FedEx) with vacuum-sealed packaging to preserve the volatile aromatic compounds. Ensure the HS Code (typically 1211.90) is correctly declared and matches the CITES permit exactly to avoid customs clearance delays.

Prioritize Audited Suppliers on Made-in-China.com who have a history of exporting to your specific region. Check for ISO 9001 certification and ask for past CITES export records as proof of their ability to handle legal documentation. A reliable supplier will be transparent about whether the wood is naturally infected or inoculated (artificial induction).