Edible apiculture products
Country
United Kingdom (GB)
NPG Category
Edible
NPG Product
Edible apiculture products
1.1 Prohibited
The Department is not aware of any prohibited edible non-prescribed products for this market.
1.2 Conditions
UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has implemented changes to the import conditions of honey and apiculture products for human consumption. Australian honey and apiculture products are classified as ‘low risk’ under the new import conditions.
Full details can be viewed on the UK government website.
2.1 Import permit
Exporters are not required to obtain an import permit.
2.2 Listing and audit
| Listing and audit procedure | Required? |
|---|---|
| Audit | No |
| Listing – Department's Establishment Register (ER) | Yes |
As outlined in the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Import Information Note (IIN) BAL/2B, there is no list of approved establishments from which imports of honey, royal jelly and other apiculture products are permitted. UK therefore permits imports of these products from establishments registered by competent authorities in the country of origin (e.g. the Department).
Please note production dates must be after official notification of listing in the Department’s system.
2.3 Prohibited products
The Department is not aware of any prohibited edible apiculture products for this market.
3.1 Government certification
From 30 April 2024, Australian honey and apiculture products will no longer require an export health certificate to enter Great Britain.
3.2 Supporting documents and exporter declarations
Australian honey only
A manufacturer's declaration is required to confirm that the honey is 100% Australian origin and unblended with imported honey.
Blended honey
Only honey originating from countries eligible to export to the UK may be used to blend honey destined for export to the UK. This requirement also applies to honey that is imported to Australia for repackaging and then exported to the UK.
An exporter's declaration is required to confirm the honey for export is either Australian honey blended with imported honey, or is 100 per cent imported honey.
To export to the UK honey that has been blended with honey from third countries, the exporter must provide certification or a letter on official letterhead from the agricultural authorities of the third countries with the following attestations:
I, the undersigned, declare that I am aware of the relevant provisions of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 and Regulation (EU) 2017/625, and I certify that honey and other apiculture products described above were produced in accordance with these requirements, in particular that they:
- come from (an) establishment(s) implementing a programme based on the hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) principles in accordance with Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004;
- have been handled and, where appropriate, prepared, packaged and stored in a hygienic manner in accordance with the requirements of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004; and
- fulfil the guarantees covering live animals and products thereof provided by the residue plans submitted in accordance with Council Directive 96/23/EC, and in particular Article 29 thereof.
Australian producers, packers and exporters of edible apiculture products must understand and implement provisions set out in the following retained EU regulations:
- (EC) No. 2002/178 relating to general food laws, including traceability
- (EC) No. 2004/852 relating to food hygiene
- (EC) No. 2004/853 relating to specific rules for food of animal origin.
Edible apiculture products must have been handled and where appropriate prepared, packaged and stored in a hygienic manner in accordance with the requirements of Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
Exporters should be aware of EU labelling requirements, including allergen statement requirements, as detailed in EU Regulation No 1169/2011.
Edible apiculture products exported to the UK must comply with European Directive 96/23/EC, which sets EU standards for residues of agricultural and veterinary chemicals and environmental contaminants. The Department's National Residue Survey honey program gives the EU adequate assurance of the compliance of Australian edible apiculture products. Edible apiculture products must be solely of Australian origin or blended with products imported from countries that meet the EU's requirements for residue testing.
Each year, Australia and other countries that export animal products to the EU and the UK submit their residue monitoring programs for assessment. The EU and UK then publishes their results of its assessment. This decision is amended and placed on the EUR-Lex website periodically. Decision 2015/1338/EU is in force and includes a list of countries that have been accepted as meeting the EU's and UK's residue requirements and whose honey could be included in blended products for export to the EU and UK.
Products of animal origin, composite products, products derived from animal by-products, plants, plant products and other objects which form part of passengers' personal luggage and which are intended for personal consumption or use, are exempted from official controls at EU border control posts provided that their combined quantity does not exceed a weight limit of 2 kg, as written in the Commission Regulation (EC) No 2019/2122.
30/10/2025 - Updated preconditions for market access information (edible apiculture products - section 2.2).
30/04/2024 - Updated import conditions and documentation requirements (sections 1.2 and 3.1).
29/06/2023 - New case migrated from previous country page.
30/04/2024 - Updated import conditions and documentation requirements (sections 1.2 and 3.1).
29/06/2023 - New case migrated from previous country page.