Directory
    Directory
    The independent guide to agarwood & oud

    Understand it.
    Verify it.
    Find it real.

    Agarwood is one of the most counterfeited natural materials in the world, and one of the most culturally significant. Learn what it is, how it is graded, and which suppliers are worth your trust.

    Start with the guides Browse the directory
    A single piece of resinous agarwood with dark, deeply grained resin streaks
    Where are you starting from?
    I'm new to oud What agarwood is, why it forms, and why it matters across five religious and cultural traditions. Begin here → I'm about to buy How grading works, the checks to run, and the red flags to watch for before you pay. Check before you pay → I already own some Burning, wearing, storing and collecting, from your first chips to aged oils. Get more from it →
    Seven producing countries

    Explore agarwood by origin

    All origins & species →
    Mist-filled forested hills at sunrise with a winding dirt pathVietnamAquilaria crassna Tall forest trunks in golden morning hazeCambodiaAquilaria crassna A walker on a trail through steep forested mountains under low cloudLaosAquilaria crassna Dense rainforest lining a slow brown river under an overcast skyIndonesiaAquilaria, Gyrinops Sunbeams falling on a giant buttress-rooted tree in rainforestMalaysiaAquilaria malaccensis Tea gardens and misty forested hills above a wide river valleyIndiaAquilaria malaccensis Steep jungle-covered mountains beneath heavy storm cloudsPapua New GuineaGyrinops ledermannii

    Species shown are those most commonly associated with each origin. Most origins have more than one.

    Five guide hubs

    From first question to confident purchase

    Each hub builds on the last. Read them in order, or jump straight to what you need.

    Before you buy

    Much of the agarwood sold online isn't what the listing claims.

    Synthetic scenting, mislabelled origins and inflated grades are common. These are four of the claims we see most often, and what is actually true.

    Read the Authenticity hub
    The claim

    "It sinks, so it's real."

    What's true

    Dense, resin rich wood often sinks in water, but weighted or resin soaked pieces can sink too. Sinking is one signal, not proof.

    The claim

    "Grade A is a universal standard."

    What's true

    There is no single international grading system. Grades are set by individual traders and regional markets, so always ask what a grade means to that seller.

    The claim

    "Darker wood is always better."

    What's true

    Colour alone is a poor guide. Wood can be dyed or coated to look resin rich, so judge it alongside scent, weight and how it burns.

    The claim

    "CITES means it's banned."

    What's true

    All Aquilaria and Gyrinops species are listed in CITES Appendix II. International trade is legal when the correct permits are in place.

    The directory

    Find suppliers worth your trust

    Distillers, sellers, wholesalers, growers and perfume houses, organised by country and type. Sourcing claims are noted as unverified until we can confirm them.

    Open the directory
    DistillersOud oil producers by method and originBrowse → Sellers & RetailersOil, chips, bakhoor and beadsBrowse → Suppliers & WholesaleRaw wood and chips for the tradeBrowse → Plantations & GrowersCultivated Aquilaria and GyrinopsBrowse → Perfume HousesOud fragrance, with oud type notedBrowse →

    Run a reputable agarwood business? Get listed in front of buyers who are researching before they purchase.

    List your business →
    Common questions

    Agarwood & oud, answered

    Short answers to the questions people ask most. Each one links to a full guide.

    What is agarwood?

    Agarwood is resin infused heartwood that forms when Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees are wounded or infected and produce a fragrant resin as a defence response. The wood is burned as incense, and distilled to make oud oil. Read the full guide.

    Why is agarwood so expensive?

    Resin forms slowly and unpredictably, wild trees with heavy resin are scarce, and international trade is regulated under CITES. Origin, grade, age and resin content all affect price, which is also why fakes and inflated grades are common. Read why agarwood is so expensive.

    How can I tell if agarwood is real?

    No single home test is conclusive. Sinking, colour and scent are all useful signals, but each can be faked. The Quality & Authenticity hub explains how to combine checks, and when lab testing is worth it. How to test agarwood authenticity at home.

    Is agarwood legal to buy and ship?

    Yes, with the right documentation. All Aquilaria and Gyrinops species are listed in CITES Appendix II, so international shipments need permits. Rules for personal quantities vary by country. Agarwood and CITES explained.

    Is the oud in perfume real agarwood?

    Often it is not. Many commercial oud fragrances use synthetic oud accords rather than natural oud oil. Our directory records which type a perfume house uses only where it can be verified. Agarwood in perfumery.

    How we write these guides

    Verified before published

    Species, CITES status, history and trade facts are checked against primary sources. If we can't verify it, we don't state it.

    Opinion labelled as opinion

    Scent and quality are partly subjective. Where collectors disagree, we say so rather than declaring a winner.

    Independent of sellers

    Any paid listing or affiliate link is clearly disclosed, and never changes what a guide says. Our editorial policy.

    Start with what agarwood actually is

    The foundational guide for anyone new to oud. No assumed knowledge, no sales pitch.

    Read: What is agarwood?