Apr 06, 2010. /Lesprom Network/. The latest statistics from Harbin Customs in Heilongjiang Province, China, show that log imports via the cross border trade (called petty border trade in China) in 2009 declined by 40%. Analysts say this is because logs in the supply countries have become scarce, ITTO reported. In 2009, log imports in Heilongjiang Province totaled 5.6 million cubic metres valued at $ 670 million, down 31% in volume and 43% in value from 2008. Logs imported in December 2009 amounted to 4.5 million cubic metres, down 6.5% compared with the same period in 2008. Russia, the main log supply country to Heilongjiang Province, raised log export tariffs in 2007 and 2008. This tariff is now at around 25%, which translates to around $18 per cubic metre. At the same time, the change in China’s border trade policies and the introduction of a new tax, also had a huge impact on imports. The import tax paid by importers for goods entering via the ‘pretty border trade’ doubled. This added considerably to the costs borne by enterprises in Heilongjiang Province and resulted in many enterprises ceasing operations. More than one third of the companies engaged in the cross border log import business have ceased operating. Log imports to Heilongjiang province represented around 20% of the national total in 2009.