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
Exporting Honey to the European Union: An Introduction to Evolving EU Regulations [in English; French, Spanish, and Portuguese translations will be added shortly]
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 recent and upcoming regulatory changes, including new obligations for countries and honey establishments to be listed for export.
AGRINFO has updated its guidance on recent and upcoming changes in EU requirements impacting honey exports to the EU
Exporting Honey to the European Union: An Introduction to Evolving EU Regulations
Update
Exporting Honey to the European Union: An Introduction to Evolving EU Regulations [in English; French, Spanish, and Portuguese translations will be added shortly]
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 recent and upcoming regulatory changes, including new obligations for countries and honey establishments to be listed for export.
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. They are explained in AGRINFO’s updated guidance document.
Key requirements for exporting honey to the EU
- Get authorised: The exporting country must submit to the European Commission a control plan to prove its honey does not contain non-compliant residues of pesticides, veterinary medicines, or contaminants.
- Use listed establishments: Every honey establishment must be officially approved and put on a public EU list.
- Control the use of antimicrobials: The exporting country must have strict rules in place to guarantee, by signing the relevant certificates, that the honey is produced from bees that have never received certain banned medicines or antibiotics (this rule applies from 3 September 2026).
- Label it correctly: The exported honey must follow EU rules on what it contains and how it is labelled. These rules are in the EU Honey Directive, with some additional rules applying from 14 June 2026).
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.
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