Information on buying and selling bees in North Carolina
For Buyers
NC State Apiary authorization ensures that those selling bees in North Carolina are selling disease-free stock of known origin. A quick check on a prospective source can reduce later heartache and wasted funds. Check with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture Apiary Division for details and a list of those permitted to sell bees in North Carolina.Hobbyist beekeepers are also permitted to sell restricted numbers of bees locally without a permit. Local chapters of the NCSBA often have a method of connecting breeders and buyers. Check with your local chapter.
For Sellers
It is unlawful to market queens, packages, nucs, or hives before the Permit to Sell Bees in North Carolina has been issued.
For North Carolina residents, a permit is not required for
- The sale of less than 10 bee hives in a calendar year
- A one time going-out-of-business sale of less than 50 beehives
- The renting of bees for pollination purposes
- The movement of bees to gather honey
Parties interested in selling larger amounts of honey bees in the State of North Carolina must submit the following forms to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:
- A current health certificate from state of origin.
- Application form for Permit to Sell Bees in North Carolina.
- A non-refundable $25.00 permit fee must accompany the above application. Please make checks out to NCDA&CS.
- A Compliance Agreement for both producers and resellers who wish to sell bees in North Carolina.
Be sure to provide all the requested information. The forms must be signed and dated. All forms must be typed or printed legibly. Unsigned forms cannot be processed.
Upon receipt of the appropriate forms, your application will be considered.
Brood and bees on comb carry a higher intrinsic/potential risk of transferring honey pathogens and pests. For that reason, hives or nucs must be from apiaries inspected by NCDA&CS inspectors before distribution.
If you would like to request forms or if you have questions regarding this procedure, please visit the website at:
or contact Don Hopkins at (336) 376-8250 or Don.Hopkins@ncagr.gov.