Importation of Restricted Bee Articles

Last Modified: February 21, 2024

Honey for bee feed - honey for bee feed must have an export certificate issued by the appropriate regulatory agency of the exporting region showing that the honey has been heated to 212°F (100°C) for 30 minutes.
Beeswax for beekeeping - must have an export certificate issued by the appropriate regulatory agency of the exporting region showing that the beeswax has been liquefied and the slumgum and honey has been removed.
Dead bees - dead bees in the taxonomic superfamily Apoidea must be properly prepared before importation. The specimens can be mounted and dried on insect pins in the manner suitable to scientific study, stored in alcohol of 70% or greater strength, dry ice, liquid nitrogen, or preserved in a fixative suitable for genetic study.
Notice of arrival -at least 10 days before arrival, the shipper must provide APHIS with the following: name, address, and phone number of the recipient and the producer; the expected date of arrival, and a description of the contents.
Mailed packages - all sides of the package must be clearly marked (letters at least 1 inch high on a white background) with the contents of the shipment (i.e. dead bees) and the name of the exporting country. If the shipment is coming through commercial delivery, you must provide an accurate description of the shipment's contents in the manifest. A packing list with a description of the contents must also be included in addition to the export certificate (for honey for bee feed and beeswax for beekeeping).
Importing through a land border - the driver must present the export certificate and manifest to the inspector at the land border.