Australian and NZ timber
Treated timber H3 to H6 for export
Posts, poles, decking and marine timber, pressure treated to AS 1604.1 in Australia or NZS 3640 in New Zealand, and shipped by the container.
Untreated pine will rot outdoors within a few years. Treatment changes that.
The hazard class tells you where a piece can safely go, from a deck above the ground to a marine pile in salt water.
Hazard classes
Reading the hazard classes
| Class | Where it can be used | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| H3 | Above ground, outdoors, exposed to weather | Decking, pergolas, fascias, cladding |
| H4 | In or on the ground | Fence posts, retaining walls, landscaping |
| H5 | In ground, heavy duty or critical | Poles, piles, structural posts |
| H6 | Marine, in salt water | Piles, jetty timbers, sea walls |
A higher class than you need is safe but costs more. A lower class costs you the timber.
Not sure? Tell us how the timber will be used and we will recommend the class. Our H1 to H6 guide explains each class in detail.
Hazard classes compared
| Australia (AS 1604.1) | Europe (EN 335 use class) | United States (AWPA use category) | Exposure |
|---|---|---|---|
| H3 | Use Class 3.2 | UC3B | Above ground, outdoors, exposed to weather |
| H4 | Use Class 4 | UC4A | In ground, general contact |
| H5 | Use Class 4, severe | UC4B to UC4C | In ground, heavy duty or critical structures |
| H6 | Use Class 5 | UC5A to UC5C | Marine, in salt water |
A guide to the nearest match by exposure. Each system sets its own preservative retentions and tests, so these are not certified equivalents.
New Zealand uses NZS 3640, with similar classes such as H3.2, H4 and H5. Tell us the class or use category in your specification and we will match the treatment to it.
Treatment
What goes into the wood
CCA, ACQ and copper azole, including Tanalith E, chosen by hazard class and by what your country allows.
Australian timber is treated to AS 1604.1 and New Zealand timber to NZS 3640. Each consignment ships with a treatment certificate showing the class and retention.
| Preservative | Type | Typical hazard classes | Colour | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCA (copper chrome arsenate) | Waterborne | H3 to H6 | Green tint | The standard for poles, piles and marine timber. Restricted for some uses in some countries |
| ACQ (alkaline copper quaternary) | Waterborne, arsenic free | Commonly H3 to H4, higher on some products | Green-brown | Used where CCA is restricted, such as decking and handrails |
| Copper azole, including Tanalith E | Waterborne, arsenic free | Commonly H3 to H4, higher on some products | Green-brown | A widely used CCA alternative for decking, framing and landscaping |
The classes each preservative can reach depend on the registered product and the retention. We confirm them for your order on the treatment certificate.
Certificates included
A treatment certificate with class and retention for every shipment.
Matched to your market
We check which preservatives your country allows before we quote.
Pine or hardwood
Radiata pine is the standard, with hardwood for the heaviest duty.
Where it is used
Typical projects
- Decks, pergolas and fascias
- Fencing and retaining walls
- Poles and structural posts
- Jetties and marine piles
- Landscaping and playgrounds
Specification
Supply details
| Species | Radiata pine (Pinus radiata), about 450 to 550 kg/m³. Strength grades and international equivalents |
| Posts | 75 x 75, 100 x 100, 125 x 125 and 150 x 150 mm |
| Sleepers | 200 x 75 and 200 x 100 mm, in 2.4 m lengths |
| Decking and framing | 90 x 19, 140 x 19, 90 x 45 and 140 x 45 mm |
| Poles | 100 to 250 mm diameter |
| Marine piles | 200 mm diameter and larger |
| Lengths | 2.4 to 6.0 m, and longer poles by arrangement |
| Grades | MGP10, MGP12 and F7 structural, or landscape and appearance grades |
| Moisture content | Supplied wet after waterborne treatment, or kiln dried after treatment (KDAT) on request |
| Packing | Strapped packs, marked by size, class and length. ISPM 15 heat-treated and stamped bearers and dunnage on request, depending on the destination |
| Minimum order | One container, 20 or 40 foot, depending on the lengths required. Lengths up to 5.4 m load in a 20-foot container, and longer lengths need a 40-foot |
| Documents | Treatment certificate with class and retention, phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin and packing list, plus any fumigation or heat-treatment certificate the destination requires |
Tell us what you need. We reply within two working days.
Treated timber FAQs
How long does an order take?
Typically 4 to 8 weeks from confirmed order to your port, depending on requirements. Treated timber needs time to cure, and we allow for this in the lead time on your quote. Larger poles and piles can take longer to prepare.
Is CCA accepted everywhere?
No. CCA is widely used for posts, poles and structural timber, but some countries restrict it. We confirm your country’s rules first and quote another treatment, such as ACQ or Tanalith E, where needed.
My specification uses European use classes or US use categories. Can you match it?
Yes. Send us the use class or category, such as Use Class 4 or UC4B, and we will match the hazard class and retention that meets it.
Can treated timber be cut on site?
Yes. Brush the cut ends with a preservative, and wear a dust mask when cutting.
What colour is treated timber?
CCA gives a green tint, and ACQ and copper azole, including Tanalith E, give a green-brown. Dry timber can be stained or painted.
Who it’s for
For importers and project buyers overseas
- Timber importers, distributors and merchants
- Builders and landscapers
- Farms, vineyards and orchards
- Marine and civil contractors
- Utilities and infrastructure projects
Exported by the container to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Pacific and Indian Ocean islands, or any other port. Quoted FOB, CFR or CIF. See how we work.
Tell us the hazard class
Or just tell us how the timber will be used, and we will work out the class and the price.