Importing honey from Pakistan to the USA requires FDA facility registration, a Prior Notice filed before each shipment, HACCP compliance from your Pakistani supplier, and standard CBP customs clearance documents. You’ll pay a modest tariff under HTS code 0409 (natural honey), and unlike several major honey-exporting countries, Pakistan currently faces no active US anti-dumping duties on honey.
Why the US Imports Most of Its Honey
American demand for honey has outpaced what US beekeepers can produce for years now. According to USDA’s Economic Research Service, U.S. imports of honey surged by 73 percent over a recent 10-year period, reaching a near-record 433 million pounds in the most recent year measured. Even more telling: imports accounted for 70 percent of total honey available for use in the United States, up from 54 percent a decade earlier, while domestic honey production has remained largely stable at around 156 million pounds per year.
In plain terms: American honey demand keeps growing, but American beekeepers can’t keep pace. Imports fill the gap and that gap is only getting wider.
Is Pakistan a Good Honey Source for US Importers?
Here’s an angle almost nobody covers, and it’s worth sitting with: Pakistani honey exports to the United States are currently tiny real UN trade data puts them in the tens of thousands of dollars annually, compared to India’s imports being valued in the hundreds of millions. That’s not a red flag. It’s white space.
Pakistan has genuine advantages that just haven’t translated into US market share yet:
- Sidr (Ber) honey, prized across the Gulf for its rarity and flavor, is a distinct premium product American specialty buyers haven’t widely discovered.
- Polyfloral bulk honey is already moving in industrial volumes to US food manufacturers for bakery and cereal use — the demand pathway exists.
- Pakistan sits outside the handful of countries the US has targeted with anti-dumping investigations (more on that below), which is a real cost advantage over the biggest incumbent suppliers.
The catch: Pakistani exporters, as a whole, still lag behind on the food-safety certifications (HACCP, ISO) that unlock premium Western markets. If you’re sourcing from Pakistan, vetting your supplier’s certification status isn’t optional it’s the difference between a smooth shipment and one stuck at the border.
Step-by-Step: How to Import Honey from Pakistan to the USA
1. Register with the FDA
Before any shipment moves, any facility involved in harvesting, processing, storing, or packing honey destined for the US must register with the FDA under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This applies to your Pakistani supplier’s facility, not just your US business. Registration happens through FDA Industry Systems (FIS), and it must be active before goods are shipped.
2. Confirm Your Supplier’s HACCP Plan
Your Pakistani exporter needs a documented Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan a system for identifying and controlling contamination risks at each stage of production. This is where a lot of new importer relationships stall, because not every Pakistani beekeeping operation has formalized this yet. Ask for it in writing before you commit to a supplier.
3. File FDA Prior Notice (PN)
Every commercial honey shipment needs a Prior Notice submitted electronically through the FDA’s Automated Prior Notice System (APNIS) before it arrives at a US port. This tells the FDA what’s coming, from where, and how much and it’s what allows your shipment to be inspected and cleared without unnecessary delay.
4. Gather Your Import Documents
You’ll need:
- Packing list — container count, weight, honey description
- Commercial invoice — transaction value and charges
- Bill of Lading (BOL) — carrier’s shipment receipt
- Prior Notice confirmation
- Arrival Notice — sent to CBP ahead of the shipment’s arrival
- Customs bond — required for shipments over $2,500, and effectively mandatory for honey regardless of value because it’s an FDA-regulated food product
5. Clear US Customs (CBP)
US Customs and Border Protection reviews your documentation, confirms your HTS classification, assesses duties, and may physically inspect the shipment. Honey sits on an active import watchlist random purity checks (testing for undeclared sugar syrup or other adulterants) are routine, not a sign something’s wrong with your specific shipment.
What Does It Cost? HTS Code, Tariffs & Duties
Natural honey is classified under HTS code 0409 for US customs purposes. The standard duty rate is modest roughly 1.9 cents per kilogram but the real cost variable in 2026 isn’t the base tariff. It’s anti-dumping duties.
| Country of Origin | Anti-Dumping Duty Rate |
| Vietnam | 121.97% |
| Argentina | 4.7% |
| India | 2.31% |
| Brazil | 2.31% |
| Pakistan | Not subject to anti-dumping duties |
These anti-dumping rates were finalized by the US Department of Commerce after domestic beekeepers filed petitions alleging that honey from these five countries Vietnam, Argentina, Brazil, India, and Ukraine was being sold in the US below fair market value. Pakistan was never named in these proceedings, which means Pakistani honey currently competes on the strength of the standard tariff alone, without the steep additive penalty that Vietnamese honey, in particular, now carries.
A word of caution: anti-dumping rates get revised periodically, and trade rulings shift with political and market conditions. Confirm current rates with a licensed customs broker or CBP before finalizing pricing on any deal this table reflects the most recent finalized rates at time of writing, not a permanent guarantee.
Is Pakistani Honey Subject to Anti-Dumping Duties?
No. As of the most recent Department of Commerce rulings, Pakistan is not among the countries subject to US anti-dumping duties on honey. The five countries currently affected Vietnam, Argentina, Brazil, India, and Ukraine together represent the bulk of US honey imports, which is exactly why this status matters: it’s a real, quantifiable pricing edge for Pakistani exporters that most competitor guides don’t mention at all.
Labeling Requirements for Imported Honey
Every honey shipment needs FDA-compliant labeling before it can reach US shelves or food manufacturers:
- Country of origin must be accurately stated. If you claim a specific floral source (like Sidr honey), you need documentation supporting that as the chief floral source.
- Nutrition facts label — serving size, calories, total and added sugars.
- Allergen statements — only relevant if anything beyond pure honey is added, but required if so.
- If the honey isn’t 100% pure — say, cut with sugar syrup — it must be labeled honestly as a blend. US inspectors test for exactly this, and mislabeling risks having your shipment held at the port.
Common Mistakes First-Time Importers Make
Having walked through this process conceptually with several first-time importers, a few patterns show up again and again:
- Skipping the customs bond because the shipment is small. Honey’s FDA-regulated status means the bond requirement doesn’t disappear just because your order is modest.
- Assuming Pakistan needs an import permit like bee-feed honey does. Commercial table honey doesn’t require a special USDA permit — that requirement only applies to honey intended for feeding bees, which must come with a certificate confirming it was heated to 100°C (212°F) for at least 30 minutes.
- Not confirming HACCP status upfront. Chasing this down after a shipment is already in transit is a recipe for delays.
- Treating anti-dumping status as fixed. Rulings get revised. Build a check into your sourcing process, not just your first deal.
Conclusion
Importing honey from Pakistan to the USA is a well-defined, achievable process: FDA facility registration, a verified HACCP plan from your supplier, Prior Notice filed through APNIS, standard customs documentation, and a customs bond. The standout advantage right now is that Pakistan sits outside the current US anti-dumping duty list a real cost edge over honey from Vietnam, Argentina, India, and Brazil. Pair that with Pakistan’s underused Sidr honey reputation, and there’s a genuine opening here for importers willing to vet suppliers carefully on food-safety compliance.
FAQs
Do I need a permit to import honey into the USA?
No special import permit is required for commercial (table) honey. A permit is only needed if the honey is intended for bee feed, in which case it must be accompanied by a USDA certificate confirming proper heat treatment.
Is Pakistani honey subject to anti-dumping duties?
No. Current US anti-dumping duties on honey apply to Vietnam, Argentina, Brazil, India, and Ukraine Pakistan is not on that list, though rulings can change over time.
What documents do I need to import honey from Pakistan?
A packing list, commercial invoice, bill of lading, FDA Prior Notice confirmation, arrival notice, and a customs bond are the core documents CBP and the FDA will expect.
How much does it cost to import honey from Pakistan to the USA?
Beyond freight and product cost, expect the standard HTS 0409 duty of roughly 1.9 cents per kilogram, plus customs bond and any brokerage fees. Since Pakistan isn’t currently subject to anti-dumping duties, total landed cost tends to be lower than for honey from Vietnam or India.
Can I import raw, unprocessed honey from Pakistan?
Yes, provided it’s accurately labeled as raw honey and your supplier’s facility is FDA-registered with a valid HACCP plan. Raw honey still goes through the same Prior Notice and customs clearance process as processed honey.