This annex explains the EU border control measures for shipments of FLEGT-licensed timber products. 

Control measures and procedures are promulgated by the EU FLEGT Regulation of 2005 and its Implementing Regulation of 2008. Under these regulations, once a VPA country starts FLEGT licensing, designated competent authorities in EU member states must verify that consignments of timber from the VPA partner country have valid FLEGT licenses. The annex on EU procedures for imports of FLEGT-licensed timber products explains two kinds of checks:

• Documentary checks of licenses to ensure they have the correct format, date and content
• Physical checks, according to the normal procedures of customs authorities in EU member states, to ensure a consignment conforms with the accompanying license