During the transit phase, illegality includes (UNODC, 2012):

• misclassification of exports;
• excessive exports;
• mis-declaration of species, values and volumes;
• mixing illegal timber into legal shipments;
• clandestine export;
• export without permits;
• illegally obtaining export permits;
• illegal export of protected species;
• export with fraudulent documents;
• transport, processing and sales of goods made from trafficked timber.

Once cut, upstream logistics agents arrange for the movement of wood from stockpiles typically hidden near the poaching source to warehouses closer to port facilities, bribing officials as needed.

Downstream agents, often operating through legitimate trading companies, facilitate movement through ports. They do this by, for example:

• paying container stuffers to obfuscate contraband within sealed and pre-checked containers;
• hiring drivers to move containers to port;
• helping arrange and/or falsify necessary paperwork and licences for export.