At a glance
- Incoterms
- FOB, CFR, CIF, FCA
India's natural honey export trade
India exported US$206.5 mn of natural honey in FY2024-25 according to apeda.gov.in.
Largest destinations by value share: USA; UAE; Saudi Arabia; Portugal; Libya
Export markets we serve
| Market | What matters there | Sea transit from India |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Facility registration (FDA); Advance notice of each shipment (FDA) | 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days |
| Canada | Importer licence & controls (CFIA (SFCR)); Labelling (CFIA / Health Canada) | 26-34 via Suez; 34-42 via Cape days |
| United Arab Emirates | Federal food registration / import permit (MOCCAE); Company & product registration before arrival (Dubai Municipality Food Safety Dept) | 3-6 days |
| Netherlands | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Equivalence / control body (DG AGRI) | 18-24 via Suez; 28-35 via Cape days |
| Saudi Arabia | Importer & product registration (SFDA); Clearance documents (SFDA via FASAH) | 6-10 days |
| Germany | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Equivalence / control body (DG AGRI) | 21-27 via Suez; 31-38 via Cape days |
| France | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Equivalence / control body (DG AGRI) | 20–25 d to Le Havre; 15–20 d to Marseille-Fos (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| Italy | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Equivalence / control body (DG AGRI) | 15–20 d to Genoa/La Spezia via Suez (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| Spain | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Equivalence / control body (DG AGRI) | 15–20 d to Valencia/Barcelona/Algeciras via Suez (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2: typical liner schedules) |
| Qatar | General import clearance | 6–9 d to Hamad Port, often via Jebel Ali/Salalah transhipment (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Kuwait | General import clearance | 8–12 d to Shuwaikh/Shuaiba, usually via Jebel Ali (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Oman | General import clearance | 3–5 d Mundra/Nhava Sheva → Sohar/Muscat; 4–6 d Salalah (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Bahrain | General import clearance | 7–10 d via Jebel Ali/Dammam (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Belgium | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Equivalence / control body (DG AGRI) | 19-25 via Suez; 29-36 via Cape days |
| Poland | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Equivalence / control body (DG AGRI) | 28–35 d to Gdańsk (direct Asia–Baltic loops or via Hamburg/Rotterdam feeder) (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Sweden | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Equivalence / control body (DG AGRI) | 28–35 d to Gothenburg via Hamburg/Rotterdam feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Denmark | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Equivalence / control body (DG AGRI) | 28–35 d to Aarhus/Copenhagen via Hamburg feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
| Ireland | Border control & pre-notification (Member-state BCPs / DG SANTE); Equivalence / control body (DG AGRI) | 25–32 d to Dublin via Rotterdam/Antwerp/UK feeder (ASSUMPTION — this file's analyst estimate, not in 06 §F.2) |
Transit times are typical port-to-port estimates; regulatory items are the main product-specific requirements, not an exhaustive list.
Where natural honey is sourced in India
Punjab — Ludhiana, Patiala. Mustard and multiflora; processors
Haryana — Sonipat, Panipat, Yamunanagar. Processing and packing hub
Uttar Pradesh — Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar. Apiaries and processors
Bihar — Muzaffarpur, Vaishali. Litchi honey
West Bengal — South 24 Parganas (Sundarbans), Murshidabad. Wild/forest and mustard honey
- Haryana-Punjab-west UP processing belt (exports move via ICD Sonipat 29%, ICD Chowpayal 14%) (Uttar Pradesh; West Bengal; Punjab; Bihar; Rajasthan; Haryana) · ships via Mundra · season: Mustard flow Dec-Feb; litchi Apr; eucalyptus/multiflora Mar-May (ASSUMPTION; ICRIER lists mustard/litchi/eucalyptus as main flows)
- Ankleshwar-Dahej-Vapi 'Golden Corridor' (largest chemical belt); Tarapur MIDC (Gujarat; Maharashtra) · ships via Hazira · season: Year-round
Typical export specification
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤ 18-20% (typical; Codex ≤ 20%) |
| HMF | ≤ 40 mg/kg (Codex/EU; typical) |
| Diastase activity | ≥ 8 Schade units (Codex/EU; typical) |
| Reducing sugars (fructose + glucose) | ≥ 60 g/100 g (Codex) |
| Authenticity | NMR profiling, C4 sugar (SCIRA), foreign oligosaccharides - pass (buyer-specified) |
| Residues | Antibiotics and pesticides per destination limits |
Agreed per contract and confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Export documentation
Documents we prepare or arrange for each shipment:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- EIC health certificate (TRACES NT for EU)
- Certificate of analysis incl. NMR/authenticity
- Residue monitoring compliance
- Organic transaction certificate (if organic)
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for natural honey exported from India?
Natural Honey is usually classified under HS 040900 (Natural honey). Honey is an animal product: EU and US entries need establishment listing and residue monitoring.
Where is natural honey produced in India?
Main clusters: Haryana-Punjab-west UP processing belt (exports move via ICD Sonipat 29%, ICD Chowpayal 14%), Uttar Pradesh; West Bengal; Punjab; Bihar; Rajasthan; Haryana; Ankleshwar-Dahej-Vapi 'Golden Corridor' (largest chemical belt); Tarapur MIDC, Gujarat; Maharashtra.
Which documents are needed to export natural honey?
Commercial invoice, Packing list, Bill of lading, Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies), EIC health certificate (TRACES NT for EU), Certificate of analysis incl. NMR/authenticity, Residue monitoring compliance. Destination-specific registrations are listed on each market page.
How do you prove your honey is authentic?
Lots are tested for authenticity by NMR profiling and C4-sugar analysis at a buyer-approved lab, alongside standard quality tests.
Which Indian honey types are available?
Mainly multiflora, mustard, litchi and eucalyptus, plus organic and forest honey in smaller volumes.
How is bulk honey packed?
In 300 kg food-grade drums; about 80 drums fit in a 20-foot container.
Market guides
Get a quote for natural honey
Share grade, quantity and destination port. We reply within one business day.