Product classification
HS code for Honey bees: 0106.41
Insects, live, bees.
Classification of honey bees under HS 0106.41
Live honey bees are classified under HS code 0106.41. This code falls within Chapter 1, which covers live animals. Specifically, heading 0106 includes other live animals not specified in the preceding headings of the chapter, such as mammals, reptiles, and insects. Subheading 0106.41 is dedicated specifically to bees. The classification is straightforward as it identifies the biological nature of the commodity. It is important to note that this code applies regardless of the purpose of the bees, whether they are intended for honey production, crop pollination, or scientific research. The Harmonized System prioritizes the living state of the organism for this heading. If the bees were dead or preserved, they would likely fall under Chapter 5 or Chapter 97 depending on the context, but for commercial trade of live colonies or queens, 0106.41 is the definitive code. This classification ensures that veterinary and sanitary controls are applied correctly at the border to prevent the spread of bee-related diseases like Varroa mites.
- Covers
- Live queen bees
- Worker bee packages
- Live honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera)
- Bumblebees for greenhouse pollination
- Live stingless bees
- Also under 0106.41
- Koppert Biological Systems (bumblebees)
- Dadant & Sons (queen bees)
- Mann Lake Ltd (package bees)
- various local apiaries
Codes often confused with 0106.41
Common mistake. Honey bees are often incorrectly associated with heading 0409, which is the code for natural honey. It is a common clerical error to classify the producer (the bee) with the product (the honey). Additionally, dead bees for scientific study or collections should be classified under 0511.99 or 9705, rather than the live animal code 0106.41.
Top exporters and importers of HS 010641 (the code used for honey bees), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 010641 (the code used for honey bees) in UN Comtrade data was Egypt, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 21% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 010641, not only honey bees.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Egypt $21M 22% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $15M 16% of world exports
- 3 Slovakia $15M 15% of world exports
World total: $96M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $18M 21% of world imports
- 2 Saudi Arabia $13M 15% of world imports
- 3 Morocco $10M 12% of world imports
World total: $87M 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 honey bees
Brazil classifies honey bees under NCM 0106.41.00: HS 0106.41 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about honey bees
What is the HS code for Honey bees?
The HS code for Honey bees is 010641 (Insects; live, bees). The HS code for live honey bees is 0106.41.
How do I classify Honey bees for customs?
Honey bees is classified under HS code 010641 — Insects; live, bees. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include the beehive?
If the bees are shipped within a hive, the hive is generally treated as packing material or classified separately under 4421 (wooden) if it has significant value, though often the entire unit is declared under 0106.41 for simplicity if the bees are the primary commodity.
Which countries are the top exporters of honey bees (HS 010641)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 010641 (the code used for honey bees) in UN Comtrade data were Egypt ($21M, 22% of world exports), Belgium ($15M) and Slovakia ($15M). World exports came to about $96M, 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 honey bees (HS 010641)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 010641 (the code used for honey bees) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($18M, 21% of world imports), Saudi Arabia ($13M) and Morocco ($10M). World imports came to about $87M, 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.
Is the HS code for Honey bees the same in all countries?
The base HS code 010641 for Honey bees is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for honey bees in Brazil?
In Brazil, honey bees (HS 010641) is classified under NCM 0106.41.00.