Australian honey is in high global demand, but exporting it presents unique challenges from biosecurity to complex certifications. This guide shows you how to export honey and ensures your product meets international standards for global success.
Australia has solidified its reputation as a leading producer of quality honey globally, with its market on a strong growth trajectory. Valued at an estimated US$770.0 million in 2025, it's projected to reach US$1,345.5 million by 2032, reflecting an impressive 8.3% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). This shift is driven by increasing consumer awareness of honey's health benefits and an international demand for high-quality products1, as evidenced by Australia's US$2.55 million in honey exports to Singapore in 20232.
While general export advice is widely available, honey presents distinct and often underestimated challenges. These complexities — including stringent biosecurity protocols, international standards for purity and quality, and specific certifications — can be daunting for many businesses. Here, DHL Express unpacks what you need to know about exporting honey from Australia, guiding you through the logistics journey to help you overcome these obstacles and deliver your product to the world.
Challenges of exporting honey
Navigating the regulatory landscape for honey is a critical step for any honey export business. Failing to comply with a destination country's specific requirements can result in costly delays or even seizure of goods.
Product-specific regulations
Honey purity is a global focus, and Australian producers must be ready to prove the authenticity of their product to combat adulteration for export. This includes undertaking specific tests, such as C4 sugar analysis, to prove the absence of added sugars.
Residue testing is also vital; requirements for antibiotics, pesticides, and other contaminants are strict and vary significantly by market. Furthermore, to legally market specific floral honeys — such as Jarrah or Manuka honey — internationally, specific testing and official documentation are often required to substantiate the varietal claims.
Biosecurity & food safety regulations
Honey's status as a food product derived from bees means it is subject to rigorous biosecurity measures.
Quarantine requirements
Many countries have strict import conditions for honey, even for processed honey, due to biosecurity concerns about potential spores or pests that could harm local bee populations. These regulations are designed to protect both the importing country's ecosystems and its domestic honey industry.
Health certificates & declarations
Although honey is a stable food product, exporting it often requires specific health certificates and declarations related to animal products from government authorities. These documents, which can be complex to obtain, are a make-or-break part of the customs clearance process.
Export Registered Establishments (ERE)
For honey to be exported from Australia, the establishment that produced or handled it must be registered with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). An ERE status provides an additional regulatory layer that ensures compliance with safety and quality standards, and it is a specific requirement for many export destinations.
Import permits and quotas for honey
Beyond standard customs procedures, some countries have specific import permits or even quotas for honey, making market entry more restrictive than for other goods. Also, the importance of correctly classifying your honey cannot be overstated; the internationally recognized Harmonized System (HS) code is HS 0409.00, but misclassification can lead to significant delays, higher duties, or even rejection of the shipment.
Packaging your honey to protect it in transit
Ensuring your Australian honey is properly packaged is essential for safeguarding its quality and integrity on its export journey. Take note of the following considerations:
- Leakage prevention: The primary concern for honey in transit is leakage, which can contaminate other goods and lead to shipment rejection. Robust, leak-proof packaging is critical, so all jars and containers must be sealed securely with an airtight lid. It is also a best practice to wrap each jar individually to prevent any potential leaks.
- Temperature stability concerns: Extreme temperatures can significantly affect honey quality, leading to issues like crystallisation or an increase in Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) levels, a key indicator of heat-induced degradation. For sensitive markets or certain honey types, careful consideration of transit routes and potentially temperature-controlled shipping options is required to maintain product integrity.
- Breakage risk (glass jars): Glass jars, a popular choice for honey packaging, pose a significant breakage risk. To mitigate this, specialised internal packaging is crucial. This can include using foam inserts, bubble wrap, and corrugated cardboard to create a secure, cushioned environment that prevents jars from knocking against each other or the sides of the box during handling and transit.
Documents required when exporting honey
Proper documentation for exporting honey is also necessary in the international shipping process.
- The weight of health certificates: These are often the most crucial and complex documents for honey. They attest to the product's purity, safety, and compliance with destination-specific regulations. Correctly obtaining and presenting these certificates is a crucial factor in ensuring successful customs clearance.
- Certificate of Origin (CoO) and FTAs: An accurate CoO is essential to prove the Australian origin of your honey. This is particularly valuable as it allows you to leverage Free Trade Agreements, potentially reducing or eliminating tariffs and making your premium product more competitive in key markets.
- Pre-alerts and proactive information: To avoid costly customs holds and delays, all documentation must be sent ahead of time. Proactive coordination with your logistics service partner ensures that customs officials have the necessary information to pre-clear your shipment, which is particularly beneficial for time-sensitive exports, such as honey.
How DHL Express makes exporting Australian honey easy
While exporting honey presents distinctive challenges, they are manageable with the right partner, and this is where DHL Express offers a significant advantage.
Our customs teams have a deep understanding of complex food and agribusiness import and export regulations across the globe. We simplify the question of how to export honey by guiding you through necessary certifications and paperwork, ensuring all documents are correctly prepared and submitted to meet destination requirements. Whether you're wondering if you can send Manuka honey overseas from Australia or if honey can be shipped internationally, our expertise ensures your shipments are compliant from the start.
Beyond documentation, we provide secure and reliable transit. We understand the specific risks of leakage, breakage, and exposure to extreme temperatures that sensitive products, such as honey, face. Our handling procedures are designed to minimise these hazards, and our vast network, including specialised cold chain services, ensures your honey maintains its integrity on its journey. Our global reach also allows us to deliver to even niche markets with stringent import rules.
Open a DHL Express business account today to partner with us to transform the complexities of exporting into a competitive advantage.
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