Learning how to import biomass pellets comes down to a few decisions: define the pellet specification, choose a certified supplier, agree on an Incoterm, arrange transport, and file the customs paperwork for your country. The steps are the same for EU and non-EU buyers, but the paperwork differs. This guide gives a general overview, not legal advice. Confirm the rules with your customs authority or broker.

Which steps does a pellet import involve?

A typical import follows seven stages: write a specification, shortlist suppliers, verify certificates, agree on the sales contract and Incoterm, book transport, clear customs, and check the delivered quality. Skipping any one of them is where most problems start.

The European Commission’s guide to importing goods into the EU uses a similar order: find a supplier, check import conditions, prepare the sale and transport, then prepare customs documents. Buyers outside the EU should check which of those steps their own country treats differently.

How do you write a pellet specification?

Start with the end use, because it decides the grade. A home boiler or stove needs a low-ash, low-dust pellet. An industrial boiler or power plant can accept a cheaper grade with higher ash content.

Write these values into the purchase contract, not just the offer:

Standard and class, for example, ISO 17225-2 class A1, A2 or B, or industrial grades
Diameter (6 mm for most residential use, 8 mm for some larger systems)
Moisture, ash content and net calorific value, each with a limit
Mechanical durability and fines at the point of loading
Packaging: 15 kg bags, big bags, or bulk, and the pallet or container loading plan

The international standard ISO 17225-2:2021 sets the quality classes and specifications for graded wood pellets for non-industrial and industrial use. Our guides on ENplus A1, A2 and B pellets and on moisture content explain what the limits mean in practice.

Why does ENplus matter, and how do you check it?

ENplus is an independent certification scheme for wood pellets. According to the scheme, it covers producers, traders and service providers, and aims to guarantee quality from production to delivery. A certificate held by the producer does not automatically cover a trader who resells the pellets, so ask who holds the certificate for your delivery.

Counterfeit certificates exist. The ENplus website publishes a blacklist that includes a company accused of using a falsified certificate. Ask for the certificate number, compare it with the company name on the invoice, and confirm it with the scheme if anything looks unclear. Our ENplus certification guide lists what the certificate does and does not cover.

ENplus is not mandatory for every use. Industrial buyers often rely on their own contract specification and laboratory tests instead. If you buy for residential or small commercial boilers, certified A1 pellets reduce the risk of ash, slagging and dust problems.

What supplier checks should you do before ordering?

Request documents, then check them against each other. A supplier who is open about their process answers these questions without delay.

Company registration, VAT number and a physical address you can verify.
The ENplus certificate number or the laboratory reports for the grade you are buying.
A recent test report for moisture, ash, durability and calorific value, with the date and the laboratory name.
Raw material description: sawdust, shavings, virgin wood, or other biomass.
Production capacity and storage conditions, so you know they can supply the volume on time.
References from other buyers, ideally in your region.

Order a trial load before a contract for a full season. One truck or one container tells you more than any brochure. Our list of costly pellet buying mistakes covers further checks.

Which Incoterm should you choose?

Incoterms define who pays for transport, who carries the risk during transit and where delivery takes place. The International Chamber of Commerce publishes the rules; Incoterms 2020 is the current edition. They do not cover payment terms or transfer of ownership, so write those into the contract separately.

Incoterm	Who arranges main transport?	Where risk passes to the buyer	Typical use
EXW	Buyer	Seller’s premises, goods not loaded	Experienced buyers with their own trucks
FCA	Buyer	Named place, goods loaded on buyer’s transport	Road and container shipments
CPT / CIP	Seller	When goods are handed to the first carrier	The buyer wants a fixed freight price.
DAP	Seller	At the named destination, before unloading	Delivery to your site: you handle import clearance.
DDP	Seller	At the named destination, import cleared.	The seller handles duties and taxes.

For first-time importers, DAP or DDP keeps the process simple, although DDP can be difficult for a seller to arrange outside their own customs area. For sea freight, FOB, CFR and CIF apply instead of the terms above. Always name the exact place, for example, “DAP Rotterdam terminal”, and not just the country.

How are pellets transported?

Pellets are sensitive to water and rough handling. Moisture raises the risk of swelling and crumbling, and every transfer creates more fines.

Road: Most European shipments move by truck. A full load is typically around 22 to 26 tonnes of bagged pellets on pallets, or similar in a bulk tipper or blower truck. Check the vehicle limits for your route.
Rail and barge: Suitable for large volumes between terminals, with extra handling at each end.
Container: Common for overseas supply. Use dry containers, check for leaks and condensation, and ask for loading photographs.

Bagged pellets in shrink-wrapped, covered pallets handle weather better than open loads. Read our comparison of bulk and bagged pellets before choosing the format. Plan the unloading as well: forklift access, a dry hard surface, and a storage area ready to receive the load.

What customs paperwork is involved?

The details depend on the country, so this is only an overview. Check the current rules with your national customs office or a licensed customs broker.

For imports into the EU, the Your Europe business portal states that an EORI number is mandatory for businesses that import goods into the EU. A customs declaration gives the details of the goods and normally relies on documents such as the commercial invoice and transport documents. For goods arriving from outside the EU, an entry summary declaration is submitted before arrival at the first point of entry. Each product has a Combined Nomenclature code that determines duties, and the declaration determines which duties and VAT apply.

For pellets bought from a supplier inside the EU, customs declarations normally do not apply, but VAT rules for cross-border sales do. Buyers outside the EU face their own import licences, duties, phytosanitary requirements and tax registrations.

Documents you will usually need to collect from the supplier:

Commercial invoice and packing list
Transport document (CMR, bill of lading or similar)
Certificate of origin, if requested or needed for preferential duty
Quality certificate or test report
Any phytosanitary or health certificate your country requires for wood products

How should you sample and inspect the delivery?

Agree on the sampling method in the contract before the first load ships. Say who takes the sample, how often, in which laboratory it is analysed, and what happens if results fall outside the limits.

Take samples during unloading, not from the top of the pile. Collect several increments across the load.
Combine them, split the sample and seal at least two containers: one for the laboratory and one for the retained reference.
Test for moisture, ash, durability, fines and calorific value in an accredited laboratory.
Photograph the load, the seals and any damaged packaging at delivery, and note problems on the delivery document.

Make the complaint window short and clear, for example, some days after delivery. Our storage guide explains why pellets change quality if left in damp conditions.

Key takeaways

Write the specification into the contract, with limits for moisture, ash, durability and calorific value.
Ask who holds the ENplus certificate and verify it, because counterfeits exist.
Choose an Incoterm that names a precise place, and settle payment and ownership separately.
Collect invoice, transport document, origin and quality papers for every shipment.
Start with a trial load and sample it during unloading.
Confirm duties, VAT and registrations with your own customs authority before the first order.

FAQ – How to Import Biomass Pellets:

Do I need an EORI number to import pellets into the EU?

The EU states that businesses importing goods into the EU need an EORI number. Pellets bought from another EU country usually do not need a customs declaration, but confirm your situation with your national customs authority.

Is ENplus certification legally required?

It is a voluntary scheme, not a customs requirement. Many buyers and some boiler manufacturers require it, so check your boiler manual and your contract partner.

What is the safest Incoterm for a first import?

DAP is common for beginners because the seller organises transport to your site and you handle the import formalities. Whatever you choose, name the exact delivery place and keep the Incoterms 2020 reference in the contract.

How many samples should I test?

Test the first delivery and then at regular intervals, plus any delivery that looks wrong. The contract should say how many tests, who pays, and which limits trigger a claim.

Can I import pellets by sea container?

Yes, and it is common for overseas supply. Use dry containers, inspect for moisture on arrival, and agree who is responsible for damage during sea transport.

Ready to compare specifications? See our ENplus A1 wood pellets, biomass wood pellets, and industrial DIN pellets. We deliver across Europe.

How to Import Biomass Pellets: A Practical Guide for EU and Non-EU Buyers