Import of honey, royal jelly and other apiculture products for human consumption - Import Information Note (IIN) BAL/2B
Updated 25 April 2025
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1. General information
This Import Information Note (IIN) must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of products of animal origin (POAO), which provides information on pre-notifications, veterinary checks, risk categories etc.
References to European Union (EU) legislation within this document are references to direct EU legislation which has been assimilated in Great Britain (assimilated direct legislation), as defined in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and can be viewed on the UK legislation website.
2. Scope
Import conditions for honey, royal jelly and other apiculture products produced only by the species Apis mellifera bees for human consumption.
3. Country of origin
The country of origin must be marked with an ‘X’ in the ‘Honey’ column in the relevant document published by the Secretary of State, with the consent of the Scottish and Welsh Ministers, in accordance with Decision (EU) 2011/163 on the approval of residue monitoring plans submitted by third countries, for:
4. Approved establishments
There is no list of approved establishments from which imports of honey, royal jelly and other apiculture products are permitted. Great Britain (GB) therefore permits imports of these products from establishments registered by competent authorities in the country of origin.
5. Health certification or documentation
Imports to GB must be accompanied by the appropriate health certificate based on the GB model health certificate.
Find model health certificates for other animal products
This requirement applies to animal products in the high and medium risk categories. Find import risk categories for animals and animal products imported from:
6. Health and identification marks
There is no requirement for honey to bear an ID mark as it is not included in Annex III to Regulation (EC) 853/2004.
7. Contact for further information
For more information about import requirements, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) imports team:
Centre for International Trade - Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 200 301