About Pau Ferro (Kasanda)
Pau Ferro (Bobgunnia madagascariensis), known locally as Kasanda, is one of Zambia's densest and hardest native timbers — a deep chocolate-brown hardwood with 2,680 lbf Janka hardness, Class 1 natural durability, and the acoustic properties that have made it a globally recognised substitute for restricted Brazilian Rosewood in high-end guitar fretboards, fingerboards, and musical instrument construction. Equally valued for luxury flooring and premium joinery, Kasanda represents the pinnacle of Zambian hardwood performance. Lunix Investments supplies Luxury Grade Pau Ferro from Southern Zambia and Zambezi Province in carefully managed volumes.
Technical Properties
Common Uses & Applications
Pau Ferro's combination of extreme hardness (2,680 lbf Janka), density, and fine grain structure has made it one of the most sought-after rosewood substitutes for musical instrument construction. As Brazilian Rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) became CITES Appendix I-restricted, instrument makers worldwide turned to Pau Ferro as a tonally and aesthetically equivalent alternative for guitar fretboards, backs, and sides. In flooring applications, its hardness far exceeds most tropical species — making it ideal for the most demanding commercial and luxury residential projects.
Pau Ferro (Bobgunnia madagascariensis) is not currently CITES-listed. Lunix harvests Kasanda under ZFC permits from selectively managed Southern Zambia forests. FSC-aligned supply chain. EUDR-ready documentation available. Our 2:1 replanting model is applied to all harvests regardless of CITES status.
Export Documentation
Pau Ferro export documentation: ZFC harvest permit, mill certificate, phytosanitary certificate, Certificate of Origin, HS code 4407.29. No CITES permit required. EUDR trace-to-forest documentation available on request for EU/UK buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pau Ferro (Kasanda) a substitute for Rosewood in musical instruments?
Yes. Pau Ferro (Bobgunnia madagascariensis) is widely used as a legal alternative to Brazilian Rosewood (Dalbergia nigra, CITES Appendix I) for guitar fretboards, fingerboards, and instrument backs. It has comparable acoustic properties, similar dark colouration, and requires no CITES documentation — making it the preferred legal choice for instrument makers worldwide.
How hard is Pau Ferro compared to other African hardwoods?
Pau Ferro's 2,680 lbf Janka hardness places it among the hardest timbers Lunix supplies — harder than African Mahogany (830 lbf), African Teak (1,000 lbf), Mukwa (1,250 lbf), and Pod Mahogany (1,960 lbf). Only African Rosewood (Guibourtia coleosperma) at 2,440 lbf is in a comparable range.
Is Pau Ferro from Zambia legal to export?
Yes. Bobgunnia madagascariensis is not CITES-listed, making export straightforward with standard documentation: ZFC harvest permit, mill certificate, phytosanitary certificate, and Certificate of Origin. No CITES permit required.
What dimensions is Pau Ferro available in?
Pau Ferro is available in standard sawn planks and custom dimensions via our Wood-Mizer LT20 mill. Instrument-grade blanks, flooring boards, and structural sections can all be produced. Contact us with your specifications for availability and pricing.
Ready to source Pau Ferro direct from Zambia?
Direct forest operator. No brokers. Full export documentation. Custom dimensions available.