As opposed to other US states, Hawaii has somewhat strict import rules due to its more delicate island ecosystem and rabies free status. This doesn’t mean bringing pets to Hawaii is impossible, but you’ll need to prepare carefully and carry out each step correctly.
First, familiarize yourself with Hawaii’s 5-Day-or-Less program and the requirements for Direct Release. If all rules are followed, pets will not have to undergo a quarantine upon arrival.
Read on to find out more about pet transport to Hawaii, and if you find yourself in need of further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of PetRelocation Specialists.
Attention: This information is to be used as general guidelines and may not be updated to meet the current requirements. Before you travel, be sure to contact the appropriate authorities or your PetRelocation Specialist.
Requirements for 5-Day-or-Less Program (and Direct Release)
All of the following steps must be completed in order for your pet to qualify for the 5-Day-or-Less program. If your pet does not meet any of these requirements, then they will have to undergo quarantine for up to 30 days.
Due to the minimum amount of time needed to prepare a puppy or kitten to meet the requirements of the 5-Day-or-Less program, a puppy or kitten will be about 10 months of age by the time all preparations are completed. Puppies and kittens not able to meet all of the requirements for the 5-Day-or-Less program will be quarantined for 120 days.
Rabies Vaccinations
Pets should be vaccinated at least twice for rabies in their lifetime.
These rabies vaccines should be administered more than 30 days apart.
The most recent rabies vaccination should be done no more than 12 months prior to the date of arrival in Hawaii for a 1-year rabies vaccine, or no more than 36 months prior to the date of arrival for a 3-year rabies vaccine.
The most recent rabies vaccination should be done no less than 90 days before pet’s date of arrival in Hawaii.
The most recent rabies vaccination must not be expired when pet arrives in Hawaii.
The date and type of vaccine must be indicated on the pet’s vaccination and health certificate.
Microchip
Pets must have an electronic microchip implanted (required before an OIE-FAVN rabies blood test is performed).
The microchip must be scanned by your veterinarian to verify that it is working and that the microchip number is correct on all documentation.
If the pet cannot be identified by scanning the microchip, they will not qualify for either direct airport release or the 5-Day-or-Less program and will undergo the 120 day quarantine.
OIE-FAVN Rabies Blood Test
A blood sample must be sent to Kansas State University (KSU) or the DOD Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory in Texas.
This should take place no more than 36 months and no less than 120 days before the date of arrival in Hawaii.
Blood test results must be greater than or equal to 0.5 IU/ml.
You must have a copy of the successful blood test results showing the pet’s microchip number.
Make sure your veterinarian lists “Hawaii” as the destination on the blood test submission form. KSU and DOD will then automatically send your pet’s results to Hawaii.
Documents
Original signature or carbon copy of rabies vaccination certificates for the two most recent rabies vaccinations (photocopies are not acceptable). Certificates must contain:
Original health certificate in English, which was done within 10 days of arrival in Hawaii including rabies vaccine name, lot or serial number, booster interval, vaccination date and expiration date.
Pets must be treated for ticks with a product containing Fipronil or an equivalent, long-acting product (Revolution is not acceptable) within 14 days of arrival and the product name and date of treatment should be recorded on the health certificate.
Submission of Documents
Ensure your documents are received by the Rabies Quarantine Branch more than 10 days before your pet arrives in Hawaii for a direct release.
Required Documentation:
Completed Dog & Cat Import Form AQS-278 (must be notarized)
Two original rabies vaccination certificates with actual veterinarian signature.
Fee payments accepted by cashier’s check or money order only (pet’s microchip number must be included with payment), payable to: Department of Agriculture
$165/pet in advance for direct airport release
$224/pet in advance for 5-Day-or-Less program
Documents must be sent to:
Animal Quarantine Station 99-951 Halawa Valley St., Aiea, Hawaii 96701
Do not send each document separately. Send all documents in as a set.
Send documents by mail with return receipt to verify delivery, or by another overnight carrier that provides tracking.
If you do not send the original health certificate to the Rabies Quarantine Branch in advance of your pet’s arrival when you submit your other documents, you must provide the health certificate upon arrival at the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility. Failure to bring the original health certificate (photocopy not acceptable), will prevent your pet from being released.
Keep copies of the necessary documents (health certificate, rabies vaccination records, and blood test results) to accompany your pet as backup.
Direct Release at Airport
Direct Airport Release is only done at the Honolulu International Airport.
Pets must arrive at the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (808-837-8092) at the Honolulu International Airport during normal inspection hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Keep in mind that it may take up to one hour for the airlines to transport your pet to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility.
Pets not arriving at the facility during normal inspection hours will not be released at the airport, so it is important to note that your pet’s flight will need to arrive no later than 3:30 p.m. in Honolulu if you would like to have your pet released the same day.
Pets on international flights will also need to clear US Customs before they may be released from the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility. You may check with your airline regarding US Customs hours of operation.
If the pet is not picked up on the day of arrival, they will be transferred to the Animal Quarantine Station, 99-951 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea, Hawaii 96701 at 8:30 a.m. the following morning and will be entered into the 5-Day-or-Less program at a cost of $224 per pet.
Pets will not qualify for direct airport release if ticks or other parasites are found at the time of arrival.
Pets may only be released to the consignee identified on the shipmaster’s declaration. If you are not traveling with your pet, make arrangements with the airlines to consign your pet to the individual who will pick them up.
5-Day-or-Less Program Release
Pets arriving between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. will be transferred to the Animal Quarantine Station and entered under the 5-Day-or-Less program. The first day of quarantine shall be the day following the date of animal arrival into Hawaii. In this situation, after all necessary documents are received and verified, pets may be picked up at the Animal Quarantine Station, 99-951 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea, Hawaii 96701 (808-483-7151), during normal office hours:
Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday, State Holidays: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
An additional fee of $17.80 will be added each day your pet remains at the Animal Quarantine Station beyond the scheduled release date.
Hawaii Rabies Quarantine Information
Department of Agriculture
Rabies Quarantine Branch
99-951 Halawa Valley Street
Aiea, Hawaii 96701-5602
Telephone (808) 483-7151
Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility
Contact: (808) 837-8092 (24-hours)
Quarantine Website - Find information and details on Hawaii pet quarantine requirements.
RabiesFree@hawaii.gov
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Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday, and State Holidays: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Pet Release
Monday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday, and State Holidays: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Pet Visitation Hours
Tuesday, Thursday: 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
No visiting on Mondays, Fridays, and State Holidays