Stumpage and export fees

Stumpage is a fee that businesses or individuals pay when they harvest timber from Crown land in B.C. Export fees may apply when this timber, or wood residue produced from the timber, is exported out of the province under an exemption.

Stumpage is a payment for use of a public natural resource and is not the same as logging tax. The money raised by stumpage is used to fund vital social services such as education and health care, and is sometimes shared with First Nations communities under forest consultation and revenue sharing agreements.

Stumpage fees

If you harvest, purchase or sell timber from Crown land, you must ensure the timber volumes are reported.

The amount of stumpage you pay is based on the timber volumes, species and grades you report and the stumpage rates for your timber. If applicable, the bid you made for your timber licence will be calculated into your stumpage.

You can look up stumpage rates using the Harvest Billing System.

Any business or individual that holds an agreement to harvest, or that purchases or sells timber from Crown land in B.C. can be audited.

Export fees (fees in lieu of manufacture)

Timber harvested in B.C. and wood residue produced from this timber that is exported from the province under an exemption is subject to a fee.

Learn more about log exports and the Forest Act requirements.

Billing notices

Billing Notices are issued one day after invoices are sent and show details about the items on your invoices. Notices are mailed to your main location address.

Note: Export fees that relate to the interior zone of the province are not included on Billing Notices.

Statements of account

Statements of Account are issued on the 23rd of each month and mailed to your main location address.

All amounts owing are shown on your Statement and listed by the date on your original invoice. Statements show all your non-tax debts in one place, including those not related to stumpage or export fees, such as waste permits.

If your main location address has changed or you need to update your contact information, contact us.