Import of honey and other apiculture products

Special rules apply to the import of honey from outside the EU.

Honey and other apiculture products can only be imported from authorised countries. Go to Annex -I of Regulation (EU) 2021/405 and find the country you intend to import from in the list of countries.

If the country is not marked with a cross or a triangle (triangle means that the country may use honey from other authorised countries for the production and export of honey products) in the Annex, you are not allowed to import from there.
Regulation (EU) 2021/405 - EUR-Lex

Although honey is a product of animal origin, it does not currently need to come from an authorised establishment. Thus, there is no requirement for an authorisation number in the product identification label.

Please note that this is about to change. A list of authorised establishments for honey and other apiculture products for human consumption is being established. In order to ensure that all establishments are listed, a transitional period has been established:

Consignments of honey and other apiculture products may be introduced into the Union from non-listed establishments until 28 November 2024 (Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2023/2652).

Official certificate

For each consignment of honey, an official certificate is required to confirm that the honey complies with EU legislation. The competent authority (control authority of the establishment you are importing from) must sign the official certificate for the consignment and the certificate must accompany the consignment to the EU. The official certificate must be drawn up in accordance with the model set out in Chapter 45, Annex III of Regulation (EU) 2020/2235.

In addition, if you are importing honey from China, you must provide a declaration in accordance with Article 3 of Decision 2002/994/EC.
Safeguard measures - food of animal origin

Border control

All consignments of honey and other apiculture products must pass through a border control post. You must pre-notify each consignment to the border control post for entry into the EU at the first EU border the products arrive at. The pre-notification must be made at least one working day before the expected arrival of the consignment. At the border control post, documentary and identity checks are carried out as well as a physical check, such as organoleptic examination (taste, smell, colour and appearance) or sampling.
Pre-notification and booking of border control

Import of honey for use in beekeeping

If you intend to import honey products for use in beekeeping, special animal health requirements apply. In such case, the Swedish Board of Agriculture is responsible for border control.
Bees and bumblebees (in Swedish) – Swedish Board of Agriculture