The United States honey market is a beehive of activity fueled by a national love for this delicious and versatile sweetener. Consumers often associate honey with other superfoods like garlic, turmeric, and ginger, further boosting its popularity. For international honey producers, this translates to a lucrative opportunity.
However, knowing how to import honey into the USA necessitates a thorough understanding of the regulations set forth by the FDA and USDA. This blog post will guide you through the essential steps to ensure a smooth and successful honey import experience, such as submitting prior notice (PN) to the FDA, ensuring proper labeling, meeting stringent quality standards, and more.
Honey Market in the United States
The honey market in the USA is significant, with high consumer demand driving opportunities for import and export businesses, as evidenced by the substantial trade volumes.
With a voracious appetite for honey, every American enjoys an average of 1.6 pounds of honey each year, translating to a national consumption of roughly 618 million pounds.
To meet its honey needs, in 2022, the United States imported honey valued at US$745 million, primarily from India (US$208 million), Argentina (US$153 million), Brazil (US$105 million), New Zealand (US$59.1 million), and Mexico (US$49.9 million).
The United States also maintains a healthy export market, with honey exports reaching US$33.1 million in the same year. Key destinations include Canada (US$17.7 million), South Korea (US$3.12 million), Japan ($2.12 million), the Philippines (US$1.73 million), and Kuwait (US$1.37 million).
This robust trade underscores the importance of the honey export and import into the USA and showcases how this growing trend welcomes diverse honey varieties from around the world.
Process & Requirements for Honey Imports
Importing honey into the USA requires careful adherence to regulatory guidelines and proper documentation to ensure compliance and avoid delays. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees honey imports to ensure the safety and quality of honey entering the country. Understanding how to navigate these regulations is crucial for a successful import process.
U.S. Honey Import Regulations to Know
Federal Regulations for Honey
Under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the FDA implements a comprehensive set of regulations aimed at preventing foodborne illnesses throughout the food supply chain, including honey imports. Here’s how you can adhere to the key requirements under FSMA:
- Facility Registration: To ensure compliance with FSMA regulations, honey importers must register their facilities with the FDA. This registration process can be completed through FDA Industry Systems (FIS). Any facility involved in the harvest, creation, storage, packing, or transportation of imported honey must be registered with the FDA before shipments can be sent to the border.
- HACCP Plan: As a honey importer, you must ensure that your suppliers have a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan in place. This plan is used to identify, monitor, and prevent hazards within the facility, ensuring food safety. It helps to maintain the high quality and purity standards required for honey.
- Prior Notice (PN): Before each shipment of honey is imported into the USA, you must submit this notice online to ensure that the shipment is inspected and handled promptly, preventing delays and reducing the risk of spoilage.
Quality Control & Inspection
The FDA and USDA establish how honey quality is maintained. The FDA sets specific quality standards that focus on:
- Purity: Honey must be free from contaminants like adulterants, antibiotics, and pesticides. This ensures consumer safety and protects against harmful substances entering the market.
- Moisture Content: Proper moisture levels shall be maintained to prevent fermentation and spoilage. Honey with excessive moisture can ferment, leading to undesirable flavors and potential spoilage.
- Sugars: Specifies how much and what types of sugars are allowed in honey. This helps ensure authenticity and consistency for consumers.
Although USDA is not directly involved in labeling, it focuses on preventing the introduction of honeybee diseases and pests that could harm domestic bee populations.
Aside from quality control, both the FDA and USDA can conduct inspections of honey imports. These inspections typically involve reviewing documentation such as import permits, prior notice submissions, and certificates of analysis to ensure compliance with regulations. Inspections involve checking for compliance with these standards before approving the honey import, which generally include:
- Temperature Control: Proper temperature control is crucial for preserving the quality of honey. Your honey should be stored and transported at cool temperatures (ideally below 70°F) to prevent spoilage and maintain its desirable flavor and aroma.
- Packaging Considerations: Packaging must be in clean, food-grade containers that are secure and prevent leakage or contamination. This helps protect the honey during transportation and storage, ensuring it reaches consumers in optimal condition.
Labeling Requirements
Honey imports must meet strict labeling requirements set by the United States FDA. These ensure transparency for consumers and compliance with regulations. Here’s a breakdown of how you should label your honey products before importing into the USA:
- Country of Origin: The label on your honey products must accurately reflect the source of the honey. If a floral source is specified, it must be supported by information indicating that it is the chief floral source.
- Nutritional Information: You should also include a nutrition facts label. This label must include information on serving size, calories, and nutrient content, including total sugars and added sugars.
- Allergen Statements: While honey itself is not a common allergen, any additional ingredients that could cause allergic reactions must be clearly identified on the label. This ensures that consumers are aware of any potential allergens present in the product.
Apply for Required Permits
To import honey into the USA, you do not need a specific permit if your honey falls under commercial honey. In some specific cases, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may require an Importer’s Basic Permit for your honey import. This typically applies to high-risk food products or those requiring additional inspections due to potential biosecurity concerns (such as raw honey with potential for bee diseases).
For instance, if your honey is intended for bee feed, you’ll need a separate import permit from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), along with a certificate stating that the honey was heated to 100°C (212°F) for at least 30 minutes. This is to safeguard domestic bee health and ensure that imported honey does not pose a risk to USA’s local ecosystems.
Required Documents for Honey Imports & Duties
United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is vital in safeguarding the nation’s borders from harmful substances. To ensure a smooth customs clearance process for your honey import into the USA, you’ll need to provide the following documentation:
- Packing List: This detailed document outlines the contents of your shipment, including how many containers are there, their weight, and a description of the honey.
- Commercial Invoice: This financial document serves as a record of the transaction, specifying the value of the honey import and any associated charges.
- Bill of Lading (BOL): This document acts as a receipt for your shipment issued by the carrier, providing details about the origin, destination, and ownership of the goods.
- Prior Notice (PN): As mentioned in the requirement section, you must submit this Prior Notice document electronically through the FDA’s Automated Prior Notice System (APNIS) before your honey is imported into the USA. This notice provides details about the shipment, including the origin, quantity, and intended use of the honey.
- Arrival Notice: This document electronically notifies United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) about your incoming shipment beforehand, facilitating the clearance process and helping avoid delays.
- Customs Bond: A customs bond is required for all shipments valued at over US$2,500. Since honey is subject to FDA regulations, a customs bond is mandatory regardless of the shipment’s total worth. This bond acts as a financial guarantee that the importer will comply with all import regulations, including paying duties, taxes, and fees associated with the shipment.
You should also be aware of applicable tariffts, quotas, duties and how they impact the cost of importing honey:
| Category | Description | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tariffs | Taxes levied on imported honey based on the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code. | – Standard rate: Around 1.9 cents per kilogram. – Exceptions: Anti-dumping duties may apply to specific countries, significantly increasing the tariff rate. |
| Quotas | Limits placed on the quantity of honey that can be imported duty-free or with a lower tariff rate. | – No general quotas exist currently. – Specific quotas might be established through trade agreements between the United States and other countries. |
| Duties | Encompasses both tariffs and additional fees or taxes levied on imported goods. | – Primary duty: Tariff rate assigned by the HTS code. – Additional agricultural fee might be levied on all honey imports. |
With all the accurate documentation ready, you can expedite your honey import process and minimize potential delays at customs. Try our import cost estimator to get a better understanding of your cost.
Exporting Honey to the USA
Exporting honey to the USA involves similar quality control, labeling, and compliance standards but differs in regulatory bodies and requirements based on the destination country.
Documentation and inspection processes also vary, with a focus on meeting the importing country’s standards and tariffs. Understanding how these aspects are addressed reveals the key differences:
- Regulatory Focus: Importing prioritizes meeting stringent United States safety standards set by the FDA and USDA. Conversely, exporting focuses on navigating the specific regulations of the destination country.
- Documentation: Both require thorough documentation, but the preparation differs. Import documents showcase compliance with United States regulations, while export documents detail information the receiving nation requires.
- Inspections: United States authorities conduct inspections for imported honey. Exports, on the other hand, may require you to obtain certifications specific to the importing country’s standards.
- Tariffs and Duties: Importers pay tariffs set by the USA, while exporters need to factor in potential tariffs imposed by the destination country.
Get Assistance for Honey Imports
Importing honey into the USA can be a complex process, but it doesn’t have to be a hassle. CrimsonLogic North America offers comprehensive support to ensure your honey import and export journey is smooth and efficient. Our FDA Prior Notice Software streamlines the submission process, ensuring accurate and timely notifications to the FDA, a critical step for all food imports.
With our software, you can easily submit all required information, track the status of your submissions, and receive real-time updates on approvals. This eliminates the risk of delays and ensures your honey products can enter the U.S. market faster, giving you a competitive edge.
Throughout the entire process, you have the peace of mind that comes with expert assistance as we handle the complexities of documentation. With CrimsonLogic NA as your partner, you can focus on what matters most — how to satisfy customers with your premium honey.
Ready to simplify your honey import process? Talk to us today for more information and personalized assistance.
