Can You Bring Honey Into Australia?
If you’re travelling to or from Australia and love honey, you might be wondering: Can I bring honey into the country? The short answer is — sometimes, but it depends on strict biosecurity rules. In this post, we break down the rules around honey importation into Australia, why they're in place, and how to stay compliant.
Why Honey is a Biosecurity Risk
Australia is one of the few countries in the world free from many honeybee diseases, such as European Foulbrood and the devastating Varroa mite. To protect local bees, agriculture, and our premium honey industry, the government strictly controls what honey can enter the country.
Can I Bring Honey Into Australia?
✈️ From Overseas Into Australia (Personal Travel)
You can bring honey into Australia under very specific conditions:
The honey must be commercially produced and packaged
It must be sealed and labelled clearly
You must declare it on your Incoming Passenger Card
💡 Raw, unprocessed, or homemade honey is not allowed.
If you don’t declare it, the honey will be confiscated and you could face fines.
Always check with the Australian Department of Agriculture before travelling — rules can vary by country of origin.
Why Australia Takes It So Seriously
Western Australia in particular is known for producing some of the purest raw honey in the world, including highly sought-after TA-rated Jarrah and Red Gum honeys. Introducing foreign pathogens through imported honey could destroy this unique advantage.
That’s why Australia enforces:
Strict import standards
Inspection and declaration requirements
Quarantine for some products
Protecting the health of our bees protects the entire honey supply chain — including South West Honey and other local producers who rely on clean, thriving hives.
Can I Bring Honey Out of Australia?
Yes — you can usually take Australian honey overseas for personal use, but it depends on the destination country’s import laws.
For example:
Singapore: Commercially packaged honey is allowed
USA: Permits most packaged honey for personal use
New Zealand: Has very strict honey import rules — often not allowed
✈️ Always check the biosecurity rules of the country you’re flying to. Some require permits or restrict raw products.
Why Western Australian Honey Is Worth Protecting
Our raw honey isn’t just delicious — it’s unique. South West Honey products are:
Harvested from pristine WA native forests
Free from antibiotics and synthetic additives
High in natural antibacterial activity (TA-rated)
A valuable export that supports regional communities
That’s why it’s so important we protect the industry from imported diseases and contamination.
Planning to Travel with Honey? Here’s What to Do:
✅ Coming into Australia:
Make sure the honey is commercially packaged and sealed
Declare it on arrival
Be ready for inspection or possible confiscation
✅ Taking honey out of Australia:
Check your destination country’s import rules
Travel with sealed, labelled jars
Declare the honey if required
Trust Australian Honey – Support Local
Buying from Australian producers like South West Honey ensures:
Purity
Safety
Quality
Full compliance with Australian food and biosecurity laws
Whether you’re a traveller or just a honey lover, we invite you to explore our raw, locally harvested Western Australian honey and support the continued health of our bees.