Biogenic amines content was investigated in Xuanwei ham.Samples were extracted with 0.4 mol/L HClO4,and then derived with dansyl chloride.Separation was achieved using ZORBAX XDB-C18 column and identification,and a quantitative analysis of biogenic amines fraction was carried out using a HPLC system with DAD.Results showed that the linear ranges were 0.5~20 μg/mL,the limit of detection was 0.05~0.1 μg/mL,the recoveries were 81.58%~95.58% and the relative standard deviation were 2.48%~5.85% for eight biogenic amines.Six biogenic amines were detected in Xuanwei ham,the content of β-phenylethylamine,putrescine,cadaverine,tyramine,spermidine and spermine were 0.56 mg/100g,1.45 mg/100g,0.37 mg/100g,3.62 mg/100g,1.26 mg/100g and 4.28 mg/100g,respectively.