Timber & Wood Products — Pay Chinese Suppliers Faster, Cheaper
Import timber, lumber, plywood, and wood-based construction materials. And your bank makes it worse — 3-day settlements, 2-4% hidden FX spreads, and zero visibility into what your payments actually cost.
We built payment infrastructure for timber & wood products businesses. 0.5% spreads. Same-day CNY settlement. Free container tracking.
Get a Quote for Your Next Chinese PaymentTimber & Wood Products margins are too thin to donate 2-4% to your bank on every supplier payment.
Before we show you a single number, know this: we are regulated, audited, and transparent. Our pricing is published. Our client funds are segregated. These aren't marketing claims — they're regulatory requirements we meet daily.
These aren't marketing claims — they're regulatory requirements we meet daily.
Save £2,525 per £100k Payment
Typical savings for Timber & Wood Products paying China suppliers
- ❌ 2-3 day settlement
- ❌ Hidden FX margins
- ❌ High correspondent bank fees
- ❌ Manual compliance checks
- ✓ Settles in seconds — 2.3 second average
- ✓ Transparent pricing
- ✓ Alipay available
- ✓ 0.14s automated compliance
At £200k-£2M monthly volume, save £30,300/year
What Challenges Do Timber & Wood Products Businesses Face Paying China?
Industry Pain Points
- Commodity price volatility
- Sustainability certification requirements
- Bulk shipping logistics
- Quality grading disputes
Country-Specific Considerations
- SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange) compliance required
- Commercial invoices must match payment purpose
- Dual-currency accounting may be needed for large volumes
- Capital controls apply to CNY flows
How Do Timber & Wood Products Businesses Typically Pay Chinese Suppliers?
Fast Settlement: Settles in seconds — 2.3 second average
Use Alipay for instant CNY settlement. Instant mobile payments, widely accepted by suppliers
Real-Time FX Exposure Tracking
Upload supplier invoices as PDFs. Our AI OCR extracts amounts and currencies. See exactly what waiting costs you in real-time. Lock rates for 15 seconds when you see a good rate.
0.14s Compliance Screening
Automated compliance checks for China regulations. SAFE (State Administration of Foreign Exchange) compliance required handled automatically.
How Timber & Wood Products Businesses Typically Pay Chinese Suppliers
If you're importing in this sector, you're likely dealing with a mix of payment terms. Here's how they work — and why speed matters.
⏱ Payment Timing
CAD (Cash Against Documents) common. Net 30 for established. Spot market: immediate.
📄 Invoice Terms
CAD typical, Net 30 (established), spot: immediate. LC for large tropical hardwood shipments.
Construction season driven (Mar-Oct). Stock building before season. Bulk purchases for cost efficiency.
📊 FX Risk Profile
HIGH: EUR (Scandinavia/Baltic), USD/CAD (North America), BRL (Brazil). Commodity price adds volatility.
Sawmills direct for volume. Agents for specialty species. Long-term for allocation during shortages. Certification chain critical.
Common Documentation for Timber & Wood Products
- FSC/PEFC Chain of Custody
- EUTR Due Diligence
- Phytosanitary Certificate
- Grade Certificate
- Bill of Lading
Popular China Supplier Types for Timber & Wood Products
Common China Suppliers
- Textile manufacturers (Guangzhou, Shenzhen)
- Electronics suppliers (Shenzhen, Shanghai)
- Machinery manufacturers (Ningbo, Dongguan)
- Consumer goods factories (Yiwu, Foshan)
Payment Tips for China
- Avoid SWIFT fees (3-4%) by using local rails like UnionPay or CIPS
- Schedule payments before Chinese holidays (CNY week shuts down)
- Use freight forwarder as commercial invoice reference
- Lock FX rates before placing large orders to protect margins
Frequently Asked Questions: Timber & Wood Products Payments to China
How do Timber & Wood Products businesses pay suppliers in China?
Timber & Wood Products businesses can pay China suppliers instantly using Unicorn Currencies. We offer a 0.5% FX spread with 2.3-second average settlement using local payment rails like Alipay. This is significantly faster and cheaper than traditional SWIFT transfers which take 2-3 days.
What banking details do I need for China Timber & Wood Products suppliers?
To pay Timber & Wood Products suppliers in China, you need the recipient's CNAPS Code (12-digit China National Advanced Payment System code), account number, and beneficiary name. Our platform validates these details automatically to ensure successful payment delivery.
How much can Timber & Wood Products businesses save on China payments?
Timber & Wood Products businesses typically save 83% compared to traditional banks when paying China suppliers. On a £100k transaction, that's £2,525 in savings. With Unicorn Currencies, you pay just 0.5% FX spread + £5 per payment vs banks charging 3% spread + £30 fees.
Is container tracking available for Timber & Wood Products shipments from China?
Yes, Unicorn Currencies offers FREE container tracking for Timber & Wood Products shipments from China. You receive real-time visibility into your cargo, including demurrage alerts to help avoid costly port storage fees. This feature is included at no extra cost with your payment account.
What currencies do Timber & Wood Products businesses typically use with China?
Timber & Wood Products businesses typically convert GBP to CNY when paying China suppliers. Unicorn Currencies provides live exchange rates with a transparent 0.5% spread, and you can lock rates for 15 seconds when you see a favorable rate. Our AI-powered invoice OCR can automatically extract amounts and currencies from supplier invoices.
Ready to Pay China Suppliers 83% Cheaper?
Join Timber & Wood Products businesses saving £2,525 per £100k payment with t+0 (2.3s avg within unicorn network).
Bank of Canada registered PSP | FINTRAC licensed MSB