Exporting Honey Products

From 31 January 2024, consignments of honey exported to Great Britain (GB) must pre-notified to GB authorities by using IPAFFs. This pre-notification must be made by the GB based importer.

From that date consignments of honey exported to Great Britain (GB) must accompanied by an export health certificate (EHC). The goods will be subject to identity and physical checks at Border Control Posts (BCPs). For goods from Ireland this will not commence before 31 October 2024.

• Exporting businesses must ensure that they are registered with the Department and on TRACES to apply to the Department for an EHC.
• The GB importer will need to register with and submit advance notification of the import to IPAFFS .
• The exporter must make the application for an EHC in TRACES and also alert the Department’s Honey Inspectorate @ beekeeping@agriculture.gov.ie of the upcoming export. Applications for EHCs should be made three working days before the export date.
• Department staff will review the application and issue the EHC if all requirements are met.
• Once the EHC process is completed, the EHC is generated signed, and electronically stamped by the certifying officer. The eCertificate will then be available to download on Traces by the exporter.
• The Irish exporter must provide the original downloaded eCertficate to the GB importer. This eCertificate must uploaded onto IPAFFS before the consignment arrives in GB.
• GB import documentary checks will occur remotely, with identity and physical checks undertaken at the BCP on a risk basis. For goods from Ireland this will not commence before 31 October 2024.
• Both the exporter and importer must also comply with Customs requirements. Please see here for details –Revenue - HMRC.

Honey Health Certification Process

If you have further queries on honey exports, please contact beekeeping@agriculture.gov.ie