European Union - Honey (and other apiculture by-products) FOR Human Consumption

Last Modified: April 29, 2024

I. Apiculture Products (Other than Beeswax) Exported to the EU for Reasons other than Human Consumption

  • Regulation (EC) 1069/2009 and its implementing regulations, cover the importation of by-products of apiculture (products of bees) into the EU for purposes other than human consumption.

  • The EU defines apiculture by-products as honey, beeswax, royal jelly, propolis, or pollen not intended for human consumption.

  • Products derived from bees for purposes such as human consumption, are not considered animal by-products (for the purposes of EU import Regulations).

  • Currently apiculture by-products produced in the continental United States are not eligible for export to the EU under Regulation (EC) 1069/2009 for use in apiculture (bee keeping/raising) are feeding to livestock.

  • With the exception noted below (refined beeswax for certain purposes), Veterinary Services cannot provide endorsement of product certificates for apiculture by- products and derivatives produced in the continental US exported to the EU.

II. Beeswax Exported to the EU for Reasons other than Human Consumption

  • The import of beeswax in the form of honeycomb is banned by the EU.
  • Currently beeswax for use in apiculture or livestock feeding produced in the continental United States is not eligible for export to the EU
  • Refined beeswax for purposes other than human or animal consumption or use in apiculture:

Refined beeswax may be imported into the EU for purposes other than human or animal consumption or use in apiculture. The consignments must come from facilities approved by APHIS under Regulation (EU) 142/2011. For information on the requirements to obtain this approval, please contact your local Field Operations Veterinary Export Trade Services.

The consignment must be accompanied by a “commercial document” (a company document). The exporter should have their importer work with the Ministry of Animal Health in the importing country and the border inspection post (BIP) through which the consignment will enter the EU to determine the acceptability of the form and content (including description of the refining process) of the commercial document prior to shipment. The importer should also verify that the BIP will accept that the consignment is not intended for human or animal consumption or for use in apiculture. APHIS does not review or endorse the commercial document. At this time there is no “standard” format published by the EU for the commercial document. However, the commercial document must include the following specifics:

  1. Description of the material and the animal species of origin;
  2. Category of the material [as defined by Regulation (EC) 1069/2009] (must be Category 3);
  3. Quantity of the material;
  4. Place of dispatch of the material (this facility must be approved by APHIS under Regulation (EU) 142/2011 and listed in TRACES);
  5. Name and address of the consignor (this facility must be approved by APHIS under Regulation (EU) 142/2011 and listed in TRACES);
  6. Name and address of the consignee;
  7. Description/verification of the refinement process to which the beeswax was subjected.

III. Bee Products Exported to the EU for Human Consumption

  • Certifications of bee products, e.g., honey, exported to the EU for human consumption may not be endorsed by Veterinary Services. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is responsible for certification of these products to the EU for human consumption. Questions about the export of these products should contact:

    Specialty Crops Program
    Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 
    Marketing and Regulatory Programs
    United States Department of Agriculture
    SCIInspectionoperations@usda.gov
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