Hawaii Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Hawaii pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. All Hawaii pet import requirements are detailed below. Your pet’s passport will be comprised of an import permit, proof of microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, spay/neutering certificate rabies titer test, and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements

These instructions apply to domestic cats and dogs. No wolf hybrids, Savannah or Bengal cats will be permitted. Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to service and assistance dogs.

Hawaii is part of the United States; however, as it is a rabies-free island, its pet import rules are different than other
US States. Hawaii has a five-day or less program for importing cats, dogs and ferrets into the state. The program is designed to allow pets that meet certain qualifications to be released on the same day of their arrival at the Honolulu airport.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that handles the movement of live animals.

If the import regulations here are not met, your pet will be denied entry or subjected to quarantine or returned to the origination country.

Hawaii Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to Hawaii pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.

Step 1: Pet Microchip

To enter Hawaii, your pet must first be microchipped with an ISO 11784 pet microchip that is a 15-digit and non-encrypted. The certificate from your veterinarian must state the number of the microchip and it must contain the fact that the veterinarian was able to scan the chip successfully. The microchip can be of the standard US issue (Avid) or (Home Again) type or a 15-digit ISO pet microchip. The microchip must be implanted prior to your pet’s rabies titer test (FAVN).

All documents required for import must reflect your pet’s microchip number.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation on how to register it in the manufacturer or your government’s database.

Step 2: Vaccinations

Your dog or cat must be vaccinated for rabies at least twice and those vaccinations must have been administered a minimum of 30 days apart. The second vaccination must be administered more than 30 days prior to entering Hawaii.

The administering veterinarian should either issue a rabies certificate or record vaccination information in a government-issued vaccination booklet or EU Pet Passport, sign and stamp. Original certificates must be available upon entry.

Other routine vaccinations are also required and must be administered twice before entry.

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test, also known as a rabies antibody test or rabies serology test, is a blood test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. The test will assess the effectiveness of a rabies vaccination or determine your pet’s immune response to the rabies virus. When required, a licensed veterinarian will administer the test more than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination.

The most accepted rabies titer test is the Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) test, and this is the recommended test for pets entering Hawaii. The titer test must be done not more than 36 months and not less than 30
days prior to arrival to Hawaii. Your pet’s microchip must be implanted prior to the test and the number must be accurate on the submission and laboratory report.

Samples must be sent to approved laboratories. Results should be sent directly to Hawaii with a copy to your veterinarian.

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

Your pet must be treated with a product containing Fipronil or an equivalent long-acting product labeled to kill ticks within 14 days of entering Hawaii.

Step 5: Pet Health Certification and Import Form

A Notarized Dog and Cat Import Form is required for entry to Hawaii. The certificate must contain the following information at a minimum:

• owner’s information
• origination and destination details and
• details of your pet and
• vaccinations and treatments and
• veterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export.

Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel, and is not from a region that is subject to rabies restrictions. The health certificate must properly identify your pet. Depending on the origination country, additional details and treatments must be listed.

A licensed veterinarian must complete a pet health certificate for Hawaii in English. It must be an original – no photocopies are allowed. This certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country not more than 14 days prior to your pet’s arrival to Hawaii. USDA endorsement is not required when entering Hawaii from the mainland United States; however, it may be required during export procedures in your country.

This certificate should be in English or be accompanied by a version translated in English. It should identify your pet, the dates of vaccination, the manufacturer and the expiration date of the rabies vaccine and all other vaccinations necessary to enter Hawaii.

A licensed veterinarian must state that your pet is not originating from an area that is under restrictions for rabies.

All documentation should be sent to the Animal Quarantine Branch. There is a fee for processing the documents. The documents and check must arrive 10 days before the pet’s arrival to qualify for same-day release and reduced fees. Since the documents cannot be prepared by your veterinarian more than 14 days prior to arrival you must send them by Federal Express to qualify for airport release of your pet.

Step 6: Quarantine

Dogs and cats meeting specific pre- and post-arrival requirements may qualify for 5-day–or-less quarantine program, which has a provision for direct release at Honolulu International Airport after inspection.

Furthermore, Hawaiian law requires dogs and cats that do not meet all of the specific 5-Day-Or-Less program requirements to be quarantined for up to 120 days upon arrival in Hawaii.

Quarantine requirements do not apply for your pet if it is originating from the British Isles, Australia, Guam and New Zealand when all of the following apply.

• Your pet’s flight is direct, or your pet has evidence in writing from the officer in charge that your pet was not in contact with any other animal during their transit.
• Your pet’s crate was sealed by veterinary authorities at the point of origin.
• Your pet is accompanied by a declaration by the owner that your pet resided in one of the countries listed above since birth or for a period of at least six months prior to entry.
• Your pet is accompanied by a health certificate and proof of parasite treatment within 14 days of entry.
• Your pet is accompanied by Guam Affidavit, Form IC-5 (Origination in Guam only).

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Hawaii

Due to the minimum amount of time needed to prepare a puppy or kitten to meet the requirements of Hawaiian pet import requirements, a puppy or kitten will be about 5 months of age by the time the preparations are completed. Puppies and kittens not able to meet all of the requirements for the 5-Day-Or-Less program will be quarantined until such time as they conform to regulations.

See more information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned from Import to Hawaii

Non-domestic dogs and cats and hybrids such as wolf, wolf cross, Dingo, Bengal, Savannah, etc are prohibited from entry to Hawaii. Owners of all breeds are responsible for their behavior.

Entering Hawaii by Air

Pets may enter Hawaii through Honolulu International Airport only between the hours of 8 am and 9 pm. Your pet will be taken from the airport to the quarantine center. You will pick up your pet at that location. Pet owners should be sure to arrange for their flights to arrive by 3:30 p.m. The process of clearing your pet generally takes one hour if your pet conforms to all requirements and has arrived on a direct flight. Otherwise, the process can take up to 4-5 hours. Pets not cleared by 4:30 p.m. will be held overnight at the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility.

Entering Hawaii in an out island

Pets may also enter through the neighbor Island airports of Kahului, Kona, or Lihue; however, special arrangements must be made in advance. Note that not all airlines participate in this program. All requirements for entering Hawaii must be met and documentation must be submitted at least 30 days prior to import.

Service Dogs

Guide dogs for the blind and certified service dogs for the physically disabled must complete pre-shipment requirements including having a current rabies vaccination, passing an FAVN rabies titer test after 12 months of age and prior to arrival in Hawaii. Proof of certification must be provided, and the specific disability must be listed on a health certificate issued no more than 30 days before travel. The certificate must also reflect a treatment for ticks within 14 days of travel. All documentation should be sent to the Rabies Quarantine Branch well ahead of your intended arrival date. Your service dog will be inspected upon arrival during normal business hours and released if no health problems arise.

Assistance dogs that help passengers with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behavior are considered service animals.

Emotional support dogs that provide support for well-being, comfort, or companionship do not meet the definition of a service dog.

Importers will need an IATA-compliant pet crate to transport any dog or cat as checked baggage or air cargo according to their airline’s pet policies.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?

Whenever your pet travels internationally, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Hawaii

Pet rabbits will require a health certificate signed by a State, Federal, or accredited veterinarian within seven days prior to arrival in Hawaii. Gerbils, hamsters and rodents will require an import permit issued by the Department of Agriculture as well as a health certificate issued and signed by a State, Federal, or accredited veterinarian within 7 days prior to arrival in Hawaii. Ferrets are not permitted to enter Hawaii. Your pet must be free of all external parasites. Entrance to the country for these animals must be at Honolulu International Airport and a licensed agent must transport your pet to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility for inspection.

The import of snakes, snapping turtles, toucons, bees and bearded dragon lizards is prohibited.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is important if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If this is the case, you will have to submit additional permit applications.

Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database

Related: Read more about CITES

Exporting Resident Pets from Hawaii

Owners wishing to leave Hawaii with their pets and return without extended quarantine upon return must meet all requirements listed above prior to leaving Hawaii. The length of the waiting period after a successful rabies blood test is modified and completed is not less than 14 days before leaving Hawaii.

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements for Hawaii?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for further detail on import permits, costs, tests and pet import procedures for Hawaii. Unlimited email support for you and your veterinarian is included.

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Hawaii?

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Current Information

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to return your pet to the country of origin or euthanize your pet. To avoid these consequences, we suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Hawaii’s pet import requirements.