HS Code for Honey

Natural honey has its own dedicated provision in chapter 4 of the HTSUS, at heading 0409, which covers natural honey of every floral source and in comb, extracted or retail-packaged form. Because there is a single heading for natural honey, the classification question is usually less about which subheading to choose and more about confirming the product is genuinely natural honey rather than a blend, a syrup, or an artificial-honey preparation. The general duty rate is a small specific rate expressed per kilogram (1.9¢/kg). Confirming that the product is unadulterated natural honey is the first step in exploring the most appropriate line.

Natural honey points toward heading 0409 of the HTSUS, a dedicated one-heading provision within chapter 4 (dairy produce; birds' eggs; natural honey). The heading covers natural honey regardless of its floral or plant source and regardless of whether it is presented in the comb, as extracted honey, or packaged for retail sale, so a single line (0409.00) is the natural starting point.

The main branch here is not between subheadings but between genuine natural honey and products that resemble it. If honey has been blended with sweeteners, extended with sugar syrups, or otherwise altered so it is no longer natural honey, it may point instead toward the sugars and sugar confectionery provisions of chapter 17, for example the artificial-honey and blended-honey lines of heading 1702. Confirming that the product is unadulterated natural honey keeps it within heading 0409.

Presentation and preparation are also worth checking. Honey put up as a food preparation (for instance a honey-based spread combined with other ingredients, or a flavored product where honey is one component) may fall under the prepared-food provisions of chapter 20 or 21 rather than the natural-honey line. The natural-honey heading is intended for honey itself, whether raw, filtered or simply packaged.

A practical way to approach it is to confirm first that the product is natural honey and not a blend, syrup or preparation, and then to note that natural honey of any source points toward heading 0409. That sequence usually points toward a single most-appropriate line to explore, and it avoids reaching for the broader sugar or prepared-food headings when the specific natural-honey provision applies.

The general duty rate for natural honey under heading 0409 is a small specific rate of 1.9¢/kg: a fixed amount per kilogram rather than a percentage of value. Because the rate is specific, the estimated duty scales with the weight of the shipment rather than its price. Products that are not natural honey (artificial or blended honey, or honey-based preparations) may fall under chapter 17, 20 or 21 and can carry different rates, so confirming the product is genuine natural honey is worthwhile. Preferential rates under free trade agreements or programs such as the Generalized System of Preferences may reduce or eliminate the duty for qualifying origins. These figures are estimates for general planning purposes only.