Objective By comparing the differences of honey standards of China and Russia, this paper aimed to provide a basis for carrying out risk analysis on imported honey and preventing food safety risks, as well as to provide references for the revision and improvement of China's honey standards. Methods This paper collected and sorted out the current honey standards of China and Russia, compared and analyzed the indicators and limits related to the quality, authenticity, safety and hygiene of honey. Results It showed that the honey standards indicators of the two countries were different in many aspects. Overall, the physical and chemical indicators of the Russia honey standard were more strict than those of China. The regulation of pesticide and veterinary drug residues was more extensive than that of China, but less specifically defined. Radionuclide indicators were specified in the Russia standards, while microbiological indicators were specified in China standards. Conclusion The difference of honey standards between China and Russia might be one of the unqualified reasons for the honey imported from Russia. Relevant departments were suggested to pay close attention to the difference and strengthen market access and quality supervision. The China standard of honey and the testing indicators need to be further improved.