Why Are Countries So Strict About Honey?
It's not personal - it's protection. Bees are so precious to our survival countries what to protect them from potential diseases . New Zealand has some of the world's strictest biosecurity laws (you've probably noticed at the airport!), and many countries take the same approach. These rules help protect precious pollinators worldwide - including the bees who made your honey.
While we've done our best to keep this information current, customs regulations can change, so we always recommend double-checking with your country's official biosecurity authority before you travel.
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Last updated: December 12, 2025
Countries
Australia
Regulating authority: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)
Allowed for travellers: Commercially packaged honey
Quantity: Personal use; typically small quantities (no strict kg limit publicly specified)
Declaration: Required
Notes: Biosecurity inspection applies; larger or commercial quantities require permit.
Restrictions by State for Travellers
While the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) sets national rules for imports into Australia from overseas, individual states have their own quarantine regulations for items moving domestically between states.
Western Australia (WA): All privately imported honey is banned.
WA has a higher quarantine status to protect its bee population from pests and diseases (like varroa mite) found in other states.
Honey, honeycomb, and all other bee products carried by private travellers are generally confiscated at entry points (airports, seaports, and road border checkpoints).
Commercially available honey in WA supermarkets has been treated to meet strict state requirements, but a traveler's personal supply cannot be easily verified as meeting these standards at a checkpoint.
Tasmania: Only sealed and labelled commercial honey is allowed and must be declared upon entry for inspection. Homemade or opened jars are banned.
South Australia: Generally prohibits most honey and bee products from entering the state from Queensland, NSW, and Victoria unless they meet specific, certified treatment standards, which often isn't the case for personal quantities.
Other States (QLD, NSW, VIC, NT): Generally more flexible, allowing commercially packaged honey, but it's always recommended to check with local authorities as temporary restrictions might be in place during disease outbreaks.
Source: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import
Brazil
Regulating authority: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) / VIGIAGRO
Allowed for travellers: Unclear; honey/bee products may require import health certificate
Quantity: Not specified
Declaration: Required
Notes: Commercial or export imports require full compliance (GMP/HACCP and health certificates); personal-use import not clearly allowed; risk of confiscation or refusal
Source: https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/report/downloadreportbyfilename?filename=Food%20and%20Agricultural%20Import%20Regulations%20and%20Standards%20Report_Sao%20Paolo%20ATO_Brazil_3-11-2019.pdf
Canada
Regulating authority: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Allowed for travellers: Honey for personal use
Quantity: Up to 20 kg per traveller
Declaration: Required
Notes: Commercial quantities require permits; compliance with CFIA standards.
Source: https://inspection.canada.ca/food-safety-for-consumers/bringing-food-into-canada-for-personal-use/eng/1389630031549/1389630282362
European Union (EU Member States)
Regulating authority: European Commission
Allowed for travellers: Honey for personal consumption
Quantity: Up to 2 kg per traveller
Declaration: Required if asked
Notes: Applies to all EU member states; non-commercial only.
Source: https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/animal-products-movements/personal-imports_en
Hong Kong
Regulating authority: Customs and Excise Department / Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
Allowed for travellers: Processed honey for personal use
Quantity: Personal-use amounts only
Declaration: Not specifically required if within allowances
Notes: Larger or commercial quantities require consultation with FEHD; comply with local food safety regulations
Source: https://www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/passenger-clearance/faqs/index.html#:~:text=Passengers%20are%20generally%20not%20subject%20to%20control,consult%20the%20Food%20and%20Environmental%20Hygiene%20Department.
主管机关：香港海关/食物环境卫生署
来源：https://www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/passenger-clearance/faqs/index.html#:~:text=Passengers%20are%20generally%20not%20subject%20to%20control,consult%20the%20Food%20and%20Environmental%20Hygiene%20Department.
旅客可携带：加工蜂蜜（供个人使用）
数量：仅限个人使用量
申报：如在限额内，无需特别申报
备注：较大数量或商业用途需咨询食物环境卫生署；并遵守当地食物安全法规。
Indonesia
Regulating authority: Directorate General of Customs & Excise (DGCE) / Indonesian Quarantine Agency
Allowed for travellers: Honey allowed as personal luggage for personal consumption
Quantity: Reasonable amount for personal use (value ≤ USD 500 to avoid import duties)
Declaration: Required; must declare on e-CD form and pass through Red Channel for inspection by Customs and Quarantine officers
Notes: Honey must be commercially packaged, sealed, and clearly labeled; homemade or poorly packaged honey may be rejected; final decision is at the discretion of Quarantine officers; if luggage value exceeds USD 500, 10% import duty and taxes apply
Source: https://www.beacukai.go.id/
Otoritas pengatur: Direktorat Jenderal Bea Cukai (DGCE) / Badan Karantina Indonesia
Sumber: https://www.beacukai.go.id/
Diperbolehkan untuk pelancong: Madu diperbolehkan sebagai bagasi pribadi untuk konsumsi pribadi
Jumlah: Jumlah yang wajar untuk penggunaan pribadi (nilai ≤ USD500 untuk menghindari bea impor)
Deklarasi: Wajib; harus dideklarasikan pada formulir e-CD dan melewati Red Channel untuk pemeriksaan oleh petugas Bea Cukai dan Karantina
Catatan: Madu harus dikemas secara komersial, disegel, dan diberi label dengan jelas; madu buatan sendiri atau yang dikemas dengan buruk dapat ditolak; keputusan akhir berada di bawah wewenang petugas Karantina; jika nilai bagasi melebihi USD500, berlaku bea impor dan pajak sebesar 10%.
Japan
Regulating authority: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Allowed for travellers: Processed honey for personal use
Quantity: Personal-use amounts only (not explicitly stated)
Declaration: Recommended
Notes: Raw honeycomb or bee products may be restricted; commercial quantities require permits; semi-verified guidance
Source: https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/product/import.html
https://www.de.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100662541.pdf?utm_source=
規制当局：農林水産省（MAFF）
出典：https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/product/import.html
https://www.de.emb-japan.go.jp/files/100662541.pdf?utm_source=
旅行者が持ち込めるもの：個人使用向けの加工蜂蜜
数量：個人使用分のみ（明示なし）
申告：推奨
注記：生の蜂の巣または蜂製品には制限がある場合があります。商業用には許可が必要です。半検証済みのガイダンスです。
New Zealand (Outbound / Export Side)
Regulating authority: Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
Allowed for travellers: Honey in personal luggage
Quantity: Personal use; small quantities
Declaration: Recommended
Notes: Larger quantities may require export certification.
Source: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/take-or-send-from-nz/taking-food-overseas/taking-honey-overseas
Philippines
Regulating authority: Bureau of Customs / Department of Agriculture
Allowed for travellers: Processed honey for personal use
Quantity: Personal-use amounts only
Declaration: Required
Notes: Larger or commercial quantities require permit; comply with local food safety and agricultural regulations
Source: https://philippine-embassy.de/bringing-regulated-products-for-personal-use-into-the-philippines/
Singapore
Regulating authority: Singapore Food Agency (SFA)
Allowed for travellers: Processed foods including honey
Quantity: Up to 5 kg / 5 litres combined; value ≤ SGD 100 per traveller
Declaration: Not specifically required if within allowance
Notes: Larger or commercial quantities require permit.
Source: https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-imports
South Korea
Regulating authority: Korean Customs Service
Allowed for travellers: Honey for personal use.
Quantity: Up to 5kg each
Declaration: Required
Notes: Commercial imports require quarantine certificates.
Source: https://www.airport.kr/ap_en/1445/subview.do
관할 기관: 한국 관세청
출처: https://www.airport.kr/ap_en/1445/subview.do
여행객 반입 허용 품목: 개인용 꿀
수량: 개당 최대 5kg
신고: 필수
참고: 상업용 수입품은 검역 증명서가 필요합니다.
Switzerland
Regulating authority: Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO)
Allowed for travellers: Processed honey for personal use
Quantity: Up to 2 kg per traveller for animal-origin products
Declaration: Required if requested
Notes: Raw honey or honeycomb may be restricted; semi-verified guidance
Source: https://www.blv.admin.ch/blv/en/home/lebensmittel-und-ernaehrung/lebensmittel-reiseverkehr.html
Taiwan
Regulating authority: Customs Administration, Ministry of Finance
Allowed for travellers: Processed honey for personal use
Quantity: Personal-use amounts only
Declaration: Required
Notes: Honey must be commercially packaged; larger or commercial quantities require import permit; comply with local food safety regulations
Source: https://web.customs.gov.tw/etaipei/singlehtml/3396?cntId=1c1ab06901934524b5c7494c42251bf7
Thailand
Regulating authority: Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Allowed for travellers: Processed honey for personal use
Quantity: Up to 5 kg per traveller
Declaration: Required
Notes: Larger or commercial quantities require import approval; comply with Thai food safety regulations
Source: https://en.fda.moph.go.th/guideline-of-importation-for-personal-use
หน่วยงานกำกับดูแล: สำนักงานคณะกรรมการอาหารและยา (อย.) ของไทย
ที่มา: https://en.fda.moph.go.th/guideline-of-importation-for-personal-use
อนุญาตสำหรับผู้เดินทาง: น้ำผึ้งแปรรูปสำหรับใช้ส่วนตัว
ปริมาณ: ไม่เกิน 5 กิโลกรัมต่อผู้เดินทาง
การสำแดง: จำเป็น
หมายเหตุ: ปริมาณที่มากกว่านี้หรือปริมาณเพื่อการค้าต้องได้รับการอนุมัติการนำเข้า และต้องปฏิบัติตามกฎระเบียบด้านความปลอดภัยของอาหารของไทย
United Kingdom
Regulating authority: UK Government (GOV.UK)
Allowed for travellers: Honey and other animal products for personal use
Quantity: Up to 2 kg per traveller
Declaration: Required if asked
Notes: Non-commercial quantities only; keep original packaging.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/bringing-food-into-great-britain/meat-dairy-fish-animal-products
United States
Regulating authority: USDA / APHIS
Allowed for travellers: Bee products including honey
Quantity: Personal use; small amounts permitted
Declaration: Required
Notes: Commercial import/export requires permits.
Source: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/coffee-tea-honey-nuts-spices
Vietnam
Regulating authority: Vietnam Customs / Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Allowed for travellers: Not specifically allowed; honey is classified as an animal-origin product and may be restricted
Quantity: Not specified
Declaration: Required; subject to quarantine and inspection
Notes: Personal-use import not clearly permitted; commercial or export imports require health certificates and compliance with hygiene/food-safety standards; risk of confiscation or refusal
Source: https://www.vietnamairlines.com/ph/en/travel-information/baggage/restricted-baggage/food-and-drinks
Cơ quan quản lý: Hải quan Việt Nam / Bộ Nông nghiệp và Phát triển nông thôn
Nguồn: https://www.vietnamairlines.com/ph/en/travel-information/baggage/restricted-baggage/food-and-drinks
Được phép mang theo đối với hành khách: Không được phép cụ thể; mật ong được phân loại là sản phẩm có nguồn gốc động vật và có thể bị hạn chế
Số lượng: Không được chỉ định
Khai báo: Bắt buộc; chịu sự kiểm dịch và kiểm tra
Lưu ý: Nhập khẩu cho mục đích cá nhân không được phép rõ ràng; nhập khẩu thương mại hoặc xuất khẩu yêu cầu giấy chứng nhận sức khỏe và tuân thủ các tiêu chuẩn vệ sinh/an toàn thực phẩm; có nguy cơ bị tịch thu hoặc từ chối
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
Important Information
The information provided on this page is for general guidance only and was current as of 2025. Import regulations change regularly and vary by country, product type, and sometimes even by port of entry.
Be Local Honey Collective makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. We strongly recommend that you verify current import requirements with your country's official customs and biosecurity authorities before purchasing honey to take home.
By using this information, you acknowledge that Be Local Honey Collective, our stockists, and associated parties accept no liability for any issues arising from the importation of honey products, including but not limited to confiscation, fines, or other penalties.
When in doubt, check it out - your country's customs website will have the final word.