HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 0409.00 – Honey; natural

HS code 0409.00 is the 6-digit subheading for honey, natural. It is used for acacia honey, manuka honey, wildflower honey, clover honey and buckwheat honey.

What HS 0409.00 covers

This HS code is dedicated to natural honey, a globally traded commodity valued for its sweetness, unique flavors, and perceived health benefits. Natural honey encompasses a vast array of varieties, distinguished by the floral source, geographical origin, and processing methods (as long as it remains 'natural'). It is traded as a raw ingredient for food manufacturing, a direct consumer product, and a specialty item. Major importers include countries with high consumption rates or those lacking sufficient domestic production, while exporters are often nations with robust beekeeping industries. Key considerations in international honey trade include authenticity (preventing adulteration), geographical indication, and compliance with food safety standards regarding residues and contaminants.

Covers
  • Acacia honey
  • Manuka honey
  • Wildflower honey
  • Clover honey
  • Buckwheat honey
  • Orange blossom honey
  • Multiflora honey
  • Eucalyptus honey
Examples
  • Wedderspoon Manuka Honey
  • Capilano Honey
  • Rowse Honey
  • Nature Nate's 100% Pure Honey
  • Langnese Honey

Codes often confused with 0409.00

Common mistake. This code is specifically for natural honey. It might be confused with 1702 (other sugars, including artificial honey) if the product is adulterated or processed beyond its natural state, or with 0406 (cheese) or 0407 (eggs) if one isn't careful with the chapter headings.

17.02Sugars, including lactose, maltose, glucose or fructose in solid form; sugar syrups without added flavouring or colouring matter; artificial honey, whether or not mixed with natural honey; caramel04.06Cheese and curd04.07Birds' eggs, in shell; fresh, preserved or cooked

Top exporters and importers of HS code 040900, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 040900 in UN Comtrade data was New Zealand, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 28% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 New Zealand $281M
  2. 2 China $260M
  3. 3 India $229M

World total: $2.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $691M
  2. 2 Germany $256M
  3. 3 Japan $151M

World total: $2.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

How these figures are built

109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).

Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.

Brazil NCM code for 0409.00

Brazil does not split HS 0409.00: its NCM code is 0409.00.00.

  1. 0409.00.00 Natural honeyMel natural.

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 04.09 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 0409.00

What is HS code 040900?

HS code 040900 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Honey; natural. This HS code is dedicated to natural honey, a globally traded commodity valued for its sweetness, unique flavors, and perceived health benefits. Natural honey encompasses a vast array of varieties, distinguished by the floral source, geographical origin, and processing methods (as long as it remains 'natural'). It is traded as a raw ingredient for food manufacturing, a direct consumer product, and a specialty item. Major importers include countries with high consumption rates or those lacking sufficient domestic production, while exporters are often nations with robust beekeeping industries. Key considerations in international honey trade include authenticity (preventing adulteration), geographical indication, and compliance with food safety standards regarding residues and contaminants.

What products fall under HS code 040900?

Acacia honey, Manuka honey, wildflower honey, clover honey, buckwheat honey, orange blossom honey, multiflora honey, eucalyptus honey

What are common misclassifications for HS code 040900?

This code is specifically for natural honey. It might be confused with 1702 (other sugars, including artificial honey) if the product is adulterated or processed beyond its natural state, or with 0406 (cheese) or 0407 (eggs) if one isn't careful with the chapter headings.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 040900?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 040900 in UN Comtrade data were New Zealand ($281M, 12% of world exports), China ($260M) and India ($229M). World exports came to about $2.4B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 040900?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 040900 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($691M, 28% of world imports), Germany ($256M) and Japan ($151M). World imports came to about $2.4B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

How is HS code 040900 structured?

HS code 040900 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (04) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (09) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 040900?

In Brazil, HS code 040900 is NCM 0409.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.