As a versatile platform compound connecting biomass resources and chemical industry, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) has very active chemical properties due to its aldehyde group and hydroxymethyl group. The catalytic oxidation process based on HMF is very important for biomass conversion which has attracted the attention of many researchers in recent years. The oxidation products of HMF, such as 2, 5-diformylfuran (DFF) and 2, 5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), are fine chemicals with high value-added which can be used in antibacterial agents, pharmaceutical intermediates, synthetic polyester and other aspects. On account of low cost, abundant resources and environmental friendliness, non-noble metal catalysts have been gradually reported in the selective oxidation of HMF. The mechanism of HMF selective oxidation is described and different HMF catalytic oxidation systems in recent years are summarized based on non-noble metal catalysts. Finally, the research prospect of HMF selective oxidation is prospected which provides the basis and ideas for the construction of green and efficient catalytic system.