Heading 0409

Natural honey

6 declarable lines

Heading 0409 covers natural honey, whether in the comb, raw, or packaged for retail sale. The heading is split first by certified organic status versus other honey, then among other honey by form (comb or retail packaging) and by color grade from white through amber or darker. All lines in this heading carry the same general (MFN) rate of 1.9 cents per kilogram.

Products in this heading

Raw honey sold in bulk drums
Comb honey cut from the frame
Honey packed in jars for retail sale
Certified organic honey
White or water-white honey
Extra light amber honey
Amber or darker honey sold in bulk

How to choose the right subheading

Whether the honey is certified organic, which has its own line
Whether it is in the comb or put up for retail sale
Color grade of other honey: white or lighter, extra light amber, light amber, amber or darker
Whether the product is pure honey rather than a sauce, candy or syrup

Often confused with

Maple syrup and cane sugar syrup
These are sugar syrups from plants, not bee-produced honey.
Heading 1702
Honey-sweetened candies and lozenges
Sugar confectionery is classified as candy, not as honey.
Honey mustard and other honey-based sauces
Prepared sauces take the sauce heading even when honey is an ingredient.
Heading 2103
Beeswax
Wax is a separate animal-origin product from the honey itself.
Heading 1521

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for natural honey?

Natural honey is classified in heading 0409. Retail-packaged or comb honey is 0409.00.00.10, dutiable at the general (MFN) rate of 1.9 cents per kilogram; bulk honey is graded by color, for example 0409.00.00.65 for amber or darker at the same 1.9 cents per kilogram.

What is the duty on organic honey?

Certified organic honey falls under 0409.00.00.05 and pays a general (MFN) rate of 1.9 cents per kilogram, the same rate as other honey lines in the heading.

How do I classify honey by color grade?

For honey that is not organic and not comb or retail packed, use the color grade: 0409.00.00.35 for white or lighter, 0409.00.00.45 for extra light amber, 0409.00.00.56 for light amber, and 0409.00.00.65 for amber or darker, each at 1.9 cents per kilogram.

Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.