Ipe (Tabebuia/Handroanthus species) was listed on CITES Appendix II in 2024. If you’re researching ipe’s environmental status, you deserve a clear, honest answer — not marketing spin.

The 2024 CITES Appendix II Listing: What It Actually Means

Appendix II does not ban trade in ipe. It regulates it. Specifically:

• Export of ipe lumber from source countries (Brazil, Bolivia, Peru) now requires CITES export permits
• Importers must verify and document legal chain of custody
• Trade continues at levels that won’t threaten the species’ survival

Compare this to Appendix I, which would ban commercial trade entirely. Ipe at Appendix II can still be legally sourced, purchased, and used — provided supply chain documentation is in order.

What to Ask Your Ipe Supplier

With CITES now in effect, documentation matters more than ever. Verify:

• CITES export permit number from the country of origin
• Chain of custody documentation from forest to port to importer
• Country of origin — know where your ipe came from
• FSC certification (optional but ideal)

Any reputable supplier should provide this without hesitation. If a supplier can’t provide CITES documentation post-2024, walk away.

FSC-Certified Ipe

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifies forests managed to strict environmental, social, and economic standards. FSC-certified ipe comes from forests where harvest rates don’t exceed the forest’s regeneration capacity, high-conservation areas are protected, and workers receive fair wages.

FSC-certified ipe is available and typically commands a premium. For commercial projects with sustainability requirements, FSC certification is the gold standard.

Note: BuyIpeDirect sources legally documented ipe with full chain-of-custody tracing and CITES compliance.

The Environmental Case For Ipe (When Properly Sourced)

• Longevity: A maintained ipe deck lasts 25–40+ years vs. 15 for PT lumber. Less replacement = less environmental impact over time.
• No chemical treatment: Ipe achieves rot resistance naturally — no copper, chromium, or arsenic compounds.
• Carbon storage: Ipe sequesters carbon throughout its useful life. A 40-year ipe deck stores carbon for 40 years.
• No microplastics: Composite decking sheds microplastics. Ipe is 100% natural wood.

Frequently Asked Questions