HTS US: 0409.XX.XXXX
Description
This heading covers natural honey and honeycomb, sourced from bees and including the following forms:
- Natural Honey: The sweet, viscous food substance produced by bees from the nectar of flowers, free from additives.
- Honeycomb: The natural wax structures built by bees to store honey and pollen, and house their brood.
- Prepared or Preserved Honey: Honey that may be filtered, creamed, or otherwise processed but remains natural without added sugars.
Products may be in liquid, solidified, or crystalline state.
Code Hierarchy
- Section II:
- Vegetable Products (Chapters 06-14)
- Chapter 04: Dairy Produce; Birds’ Eggs; Natural Honey; Edible Products of Animal Origin, Not Elsewhere Specified or Included
- Heading 0409: Natural honey.
- US HTS Code (10-digit):
0409.XX.XXXX– The last digits specify the exact form and processing type.
Detailed Breakdown of Subheadings
The 4-digit HS heading 0409 is broken down into specific 6-digit and 10-digit codes based on the form and state of the honey and honeycomb.
| HS/HTS Code | Description | Examples & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0409.00 | Natural honey | Pure honey, excluding honey with added sugars or other substances. |
0409.00.1000 |
Honey in liquid state | Uncrystallized or filtered honey in liquid form. |
0409.00.2000 |
Honey in solid or semi-solid state | Crystallized, creamed, or granulated natural honey. |
0409.00.3000 |
Honey with added natural honey solids | Honey blended with natural honey solids but no added sugars. |
| 0409.00.9000 | Other natural honey | Includes other presentations or preparations of natural honey not specified above. |
| 0409.00.4000 | Honey prepared or preserved other than above | Filtered, pasteurized, or heat-treated honey without added sugars. |
| 0409.00.5000 | Honey containing added sugars or other sweetening matter | Note: Often classified under other headings if sugars are added. |
| 0409.00.6000 | Honeycomb | Natural honeycomb, wax combs containing honey. |
What is NOT Classified Here?
To avoid misclassification, note these exclusions:
- Artificial honey or glucose syrup-based products
- , not produced by bees, are classified under Chapter 17.
- Beeswax extracted from combs without honey is classified under 0405.
- Preparations of sugar or sugar syrup mixed with honey fall under other headings in Chapter 17.
- Processed honey products with additives such as flavors or colorings may be classified under other food preparation headings.
Notes
- USDA and FDA Regulations:
- Honey imports are subject to quality standards and must be free from contaminants and adulteration as per USDA and FDA requirements.
- Duty Rates: Duty rates for honey vary by specific subheading and country of origin; some may be duty-free under trade agreements.
- Labeling Requirements: Accurate labeling of origin and purity is required. The term “honey” is protected and must meet specific compositional standards.
- Tariff-Rate Quotas (TRQs): Certain honey imports may be subject to TRQs affecting duty rates.
Declaration Example
Product:
A shipment of creamed natural honey from New Zealand.
US HTS Code:
0409.00.2000(Honey in solid or semi-solid state)Unit of Quantity: Kilogram (kg)
General Duty Rate: Check current USHTS (May be duty-free under some trade agreements)
Additional Requirements: USDA/FDA inspection, certificate of origin, purity testing.
Related HTS Codes
- HTS 0405:
- Beeswax and other insect waxes.
- HTS 1702: Other sugars and sugar syrups, including glucose syrups.
- HTS 2106: Food preparations not elsewhere specified or included (may cover flavored or processed honey products).
