Yes, you can. Greek honey is one of the most popular things to take home from Athens, and it travels well if you plan a little. How you pack it depends on which bag it goes in and where you are flying. This is what we tell visitors to our shop every week. Rules change, so check what applies at your airports and in your destination country before you travel.
In your hand luggage: the 100 ml rule
At airport security, honey counts as a liquid, like jam, syrup or toothpaste. At most European airports, including Athens, liquids in your hand luggage must be in containers of 100 ml or less, all together in one clear, resealable plastic bag that holds up to one litre. Each passenger may carry one bag.
The limit is on the size of the container, not on how much honey is left inside. A 450 g jar holds more than 300 ml, so it will not pass, even half empty. Crystallised honey counts as a liquid too.
Some European airports now have new scanners that allow bigger containers, up to two litres. At the time of writing, Athens airport still applies the 100 ml limit. Check the rule at your departure airport and at any airport where you change planes.
Small jars solve the problem. The jars in our 9 honey varieties box and our honey tasting set hold 50 g each, well under 100 ml, so a few can go in your liquids bag next to your toiletries.
In your checked luggage
Honey travels well in checked luggage, and there is no liquids limit there. The only limit is your airline’s weight allowance. A few packing tips:
- Tape the lid shut, then put the jar in a sealed plastic bag.
- Wrap it in clothes and pack it in the middle of the suitcase, away from the sides and the wheels.
- Allow for the weight: a jar with 950 g of honey weighs more than a kilo with its glass. If you carry several jars, weigh your case before you leave for the airport.
- Ask us to wrap it. In the shop we wrap jars carefully for travel.
Arriving home: entry rules for honey
Leaving Greece with honey is easy. Bringing it into another country is a separate question, and that country decides. These are the rules as the authorities publish them at the time of writing:
- European Union: honey for your own use moves freely between EU countries.
- United Kingdom: Great Britain allows honey from EU countries for personal use. Meat and dairy products from the EU are not allowed at the moment, so leave the feta behind.
- United States: the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) says travellers can generally bring in honey for personal use. You must declare all food at customs.
- Australia: honey and bee products may be restricted, even when they are commercially packed. You must declare them on your Incoming Passenger Card, and a biosecurity officer decides.
- New Zealand: honey and bee products are on the list of items you cannot bring in. Do not pack honey for New Zealand.
For any other country, look at the official customs or agriculture website. When in doubt, declare it: undeclared food can cost you a fine.
Buy on your last day
Our shop at Asklipiou 24 is open Monday to Friday 11:00–20:00 and Saturday 11:00–15:00, about 6 minutes on foot from Panepistimio metro station. If you run out of time, order on Wolt for delivery to your hotel in Athens.
There is more on finding us in where to buy real Greek honey in Athens and on our visit page. To choose what to take home, start with our honey guide.
