Importing honey
Tuesday 30 October 2007
There are strict rules about importing honey, and products containing these.
Each batch (or 'consignment') of honey that you import must:
- come from a country approved to export this type of product to the European Union (EU)
- come from an establishment registered by the competent authority of the exporting country
- be accompanied by a health certificate
- enter the EU through a Border Inspection Post where veterinary checks must be carried out
Imports of honey are only permitted from certain countries that have submitted an approved residue plan. A list of approved countries with a residue plan for honey is in Decision 2004/432/EC as amended, and can be found at the link below.
Remember that general UK regulations will also apply.
Animal Health, an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for the animal health aspects of imports of honey and specific details of import conditions can be found on the Defra website at the link below. Alternatively, email ahitchelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk, or telephone 01245 358383 for more information.
Composite products
A composite product is a foodstuff that contains both processed animal products and products of plant origin and where the processing of the primary product is essential to the production of the final foodstuff.
Information on importing composite products containing honey can be found at the link below.
