AGRINFO Guide: Exporting Honey to the European Union
- Animal health certification
- Antimicrobial resistance
- Contaminants
- Food additives
- Food safety
- General Food Law
- Hygiene
- Pesticides
- Third country lists
- Veterinary residues
- Labelling
- Origin
- Official controls
Summary
This Guide provides a simple introduction to the major requirements that producers and competent authorities in non-EU countries must meet to export honey to the EU market. It highlights significant and recent upcoming regulatory changes, including new obligations for countries and honey establishments to be listed for export. The Guide is available in English and French (a Spanish version will follow).
AGRINFO has published guidance introducing recent and upcoming changes in EU requirements with an impact on honey exports to the EU
Exporting Honey to the European Union: An Introduction to Evolving EU Regulations
Update
This Guide provides a simple introduction to the major requirements that producers and competent authorities in non-EU countries must meet to export honey to the EU market. It highlights significant and recent upcoming regulatory changes, including new obligations for countries and honey establishments to be listed for export. The Guide is available in English and French (a Spanish version will follow).
Impacted Products
Honey and other apiculture products falling under Harmonized System (HS) customs codes 0409, 0410, 1212, 1521, and 1702
What is changing?
Significant changes in the EU requirements to export honey to the EU are now in application, or will enter into application soon. They are explained in AGRINFO’s guidance document, available in English and French (a Spanish version will follow).
The major new requirements are:
- From 29 November 2024, only establishments that are included on the Commission’s Establishment Lists webpage will be able to export honey to the EU. See Mandatory listing of establishments exporting honey (Regulation 2023/2652)
- Since 3 September 2024, the updated model certificate for honey must be used. See Model health certificates: antimicrobial attestation and EU official health certificates for exports to the EU – explained (Regulation 2020/2235). Old models of certificates will be accepted at EU Border Control Posts until 3 December 2024 if they were certified by the exporting country before 3 September 2024.
- From 3 September 2026, in order to continue to export to the EU, exporting countries will have to be included in the list of non-EU countries authorised for export in the Annex to Regulation 2024/2598 (see List of non-EU countries compliant with new EU antimicrobial requirements).
- From 14 June 2026, for honey that is a blend of honeys from different countries, all countries of origin must be indicated on the label, including the percentage of honey from each country, listed from largest to smallest in terms of its share in weight in the honey blend. See Revised marketing standards for honey, fruit juices, fruit jams, and preserved milk (Directive 2024/1438).
This short Guide is intended to help businesses and competent authorities navigate EU rules; it is not intended to serve as a comprehensive basis for ensuring compliance. Honey exporters should carefully read and apply the relevant legislation referred to in the Guide.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.