Product classification
HS code for Honey: 0409.00
Honey, natural.
Classification of honey under HS 0409.00
Natural honey is classified under HS code 0409.00. This code is part of Chapter 4, which covers dairy produce, birds' eggs, and natural products of animal origin not elsewhere specified. Honey is defined as the natural sweet substance produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) or other bees from the nectar of plants or from secretions of living parts of plants. The classification 0409.00 is a "single-dash" heading in many tariffs, meaning it covers the product regardless of its physical state—whether it is in the comb, centrifuged, or in chunks. It also includes honey that has been heated to facilitate handling or to destroy yeasts, provided the essential character of natural honey is maintained and no other substances (like sugar or flavorings) have been added in quantities that change its nature.
- Covers
- Centrifuged natural honey
- Comb honey
- Wild honey
- Monofloral honey (e.g., Manuka, Acacia)
- Polyfloral or wildflower honey
- Also under 0409.00
- Wedderspoon Manuka Honey
- Capilano Honey
- Rowse Honey
- Nature Nate's 100% Pure Honey
- Langnese Honey
Codes often confused with 0409.00
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification for honey occurs with HS code 1702.90, which covers artificial honey and mixtures of natural and artificial honey. If natural honey is blended with corn syrup, cane sugar, or other sweeteners, it loses its eligibility for 0409.00. Another common error involves HS code 0410.00, which covers edible products of animal origin not elsewhere specified, such as royal jelly or propolis. While these are bee-related, they are not honey. Additionally, honey-based food preparations that contain added flavors, nuts, or fruit are often classified under HS code 2106.90 as food preparations not elsewhere specified.
Top exporters and importers of HS 040900 (the code used for honey), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 040900 (the code used for honey) 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.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 040900, not only honey.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 New Zealand $281M 12% of world exports
- 2 China $260M 11% of world exports
- 3 India $229M 9.5% of world exports
World total: $2.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $691M 28% of world imports
- 2 Germany $256M 11% of world imports
- 3 Japan $151M 6.2% of world imports
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 honey
Brazil classifies honey under NCM 0409.00.00: HS 0409.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about honey
What is the HS code for Honey?
The HS code for Honey is 040900 (Honey; natural).
How do I classify Honey for customs?
Honey is classified under HS code 040900 — Honey; natural. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for natural honey?
The HS code for natural honey is 0409.00, covering all types of natural honey produced by bees.
Does 0409.00 include honey with added flavors?
No, honey with added flavorings or other ingredients is generally classified under HS code 2106 as a food preparation, rather than natural honey.
Which countries are the top exporters of honey (HS 040900)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 040900 (the code used for honey) 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 honey (HS 040900)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 040900 (the code used for honey) 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.
Is the HS code for Honey the same in all countries?
The base HS code 040900 for Honey 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 in Brazil?
In Brazil, honey (HS 040900) is classified under NCM 0409.00.00.