HS Code for Natural Honey (HS 0409.00)
One of the most adulterated commodities in global trade - EU JRC 2023 sampling found 46% of imported honey suspicious. Directive 2024/1438 ("Breakfast Directive" revision) mandates country-of-origin on the front label and tightens NMR/EA-IRMS testing. Argentina, India, Ukraine, Mexico and China lead exports.
Sample 6-digit codes
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 0409.00 | Natural honey |
| 1702.90 | Sugar syrup - watch for TBML honey adulteration flow |
Typical import duty by market
| Market | Duty |
|---|---|
| European Union | 17.3% MFN; 0% under GSP for many origins. Anti-dumping on Chinese honey historically. |
| United States | 1.9 cents/kg + AD AD orders on China, Argentina, India (partial), Vietnam. |
| Japan | 25.5% |
Numerical Example: 22 MT bulk drum honey ELA-grade, FOB Buenos Aires USD 2.40/kg, CIF Hamburg
22 MT bulk drum honey ELA-grade, FOB Buenos Aires USD 2.40/kg, CIF Hamburg. Run your own numbers in the Import Duty & Tax calculator.
- · EU Directive 2024/1438 - country-of-origin labelling.
- · Codex Alimentarius CXS 12-1981 (honey standard).
- · EU Reg 2073/2005 - Clostridium botulinum controls.
- · Argentina
- · China
- · India
- · Ukraine
- · Mexico
Frequently asked questions
0409 attracts the standard sensitive-agri MFN of 17.3% to protect the ~200,000 EU apiculturists. Preferential access under GSP+ (Ukraine, Georgia) and EBA (Bangladesh, Ethiopia) can bring it to zero.
Import duty and tax by destination market
Typical MFN duty, consumption tax and the tax base applied to agriculture (HS 0409.00) in each market we cover. Rates are indicative at the 6-digit line | confirm the national 8/10-digit code with your broker.
| Market | Duty | Consumption tax | Tax base | Tax as % of CIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 5% | IGST 18% | Assessable value + duty | 24.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | 5% | VAT 5% | CIF + duty | 10.3% |
| Saudi Arabia | 5% | VAT 15% | CIF + duty | 20.8% |
| Singapore | 5% | GST 9% | CIF + duty | 14.4% |
| China | 5% | VAT 13% | CIF + duty | 18.6% |
| United States | 5% | Federal VAT 0% | CIF | 5.3% |
| United Kingdom | 5% | VAT 20% | CIF + duty | 26.0% |
| Germany | 5% | USt 19% | CIF + duty | 24.9% |
| Netherlands | 5% | BTW 21% | CIF + duty | 27.1% |
| Vietnam | 5% | VAT 10% | CIF + duty | 15.5% |
| Türkiye | 5% | KDV 20% | CIF + duty | 26.0% |
| Japan | 5% | JCT 10% | CIF + duty | 15.5% |
| South Korea | 5% | VAT 10% | CIF + duty | 15.5% |
| Brazil | 5% | IPI+PIS/COFINS+ICMS 32% | CIF + duty | 38.6% |
| Indonesia | 5% | PPN 11% | CIF + duty | 19.1% |
| Mexico | 5% | IVA 16% | CIF + duty | 22.7% |
| Egypt | 5% | VAT 14% | CIF + duty | 19.7% |
| Nigeria | 5% | VAT 7.5% | CIF + duty | 14.5% |
| South Africa | 5% | VAT 15% | Assessable value + duty | 22.8% |
| Australia | 5% | GST 10% | CIF + duty | 15.5% |
Run your own numbers with the landed cost calculator or check documentation requirements in the LC document checklist.