Bringing Pets to Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi is rabies-free, so every dog and cat arriving on Oʻahu has to meet the State's quarantine rules. The prep takes months, so start early.
The timeline, for Honolulu arrivals
The steps for the 5 Day Or Less program and Direct Airport Release, in order. Times are minimums from the State's Checklist 1.
- First
Microchip
- Implant a microchip before the FAVN blood test.
- Have your vet scan it to confirm it works and the number is right. A pet that can't be identified by its chip won't qualify.
- Early
Two rabies vaccines
- At least two rabies vaccinations in the pet's lifetime, given more than 30 days apart.
- The most recent one must be more than 30 days before arrival and not expired when you arrive.
- Early
FAVN blood test
- Use an approved lab: Kansas State, Auburn, Missouri, or the DoD lab (DoD lab only for eligible DoD beneficiaries).
- List HAWAII as the destination. The result must be 0.5 IU/ml or higher.
- AQS says labs are running 1 to 2 months longer than usual. Plan for it.
- 30+ days before
Waiting period
- The 30-day wait starts the day after the lab receives the sample.
- The lab must receive the sample no more than 36 months before arrival.
- Arriving early means quarantine until the wait is over, plus a daily fee.
- Within 14 days
Health certificate and tick treatment
- Original health certificate in English, issued within 14 days of arrival.
- Vet tick treatment with a long-acting product within 14 days of arrival, recorded on the certificate. Revolution® is not accepted.
- 10+ days before
Documents received by AQS
- AQS-279 import form, two original rabies certificates, and payment, received 10 or more days before arrival.
- Apply online through HIPOP, or mail them with tracking.
- Late documents cost more and can delay or prevent airport release.
- Arrival day
Land in Honolulu
- Book a flight that lands by 3:30 p.m. Airlines can take up to an hour to bring pets to the airport holding facility.
- Pets not at the facility by 4:30 p.m. are held overnight.
- Bring a vehicle big enough for the crate. Pets stay crated on airport property.
My pet checklist
Tick items as you go. Your progress saves on this device only; nothing is sent anywhere.
0 of 12 done
Also on the Hawaiʻi Moving Checklist.
State fees, as posted
Per dog or cat, from the Animal Quarantine Information Page. Lab and vet fees are extra. Figures can change, so confirm current fees with the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.
| Program | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Airport Release, Honolulu | $185 | $244 if documents arrive fewer than 10 days ahead |
| 5 Day Or Less | $244 | |
| Arriving before eligible (Honolulu) | $14.30 per day early + $244 | |
| Neighbor Island Inspection Permit | $165 | plus the contracted vet's fees |
| Re-entry (if qualified) | $98 | $130 if documents arrive fewer than 10 days ahead |
| Pickup after 10:00 a.m. for pets held overnight | +$59 |
Online payment through HIPOP takes Visa or Mastercard. For mailed payments, follow the payee and payment instructions on the current AQS page.
Arrival day in Honolulu
Land by 3:30 p.m.
Pets have to reach the airport holding facility by 4:30 p.m. to be released that day. Later arrivals are held overnight for morning inspection.
Bring a crate-sized ride
Pets stay in their crate on airport property and are handed off at the facility sidewalk. There are no porters or carts nearby.
Check the hours
The AQS page lists 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily; Checklist 1 (2023) says 8:00 a.m. Hours can change without notice, so confirm before you book.
Common questions
Does meeting the requirements guarantee my pet goes home from the airport?
No. Pets that meet every requirement may qualify for direct release at the airport after inspection, but AQS decides at inspection. For example, a pet found with ticks or other parasites on arrival won't qualify for direct airport release. Confirm your pet's status with AQS before you fly.
What happens if my pet doesn't qualify?
AQS says pets that don't meet all of the 5 Day Or Less requirements can be quarantined for up to 120 days until the requirements are met, or sent out of state at the owner's expense.
Can a puppy or kitten qualify?
AQS says that, because of the minimum time the steps take, a newborn puppy or kitten will be about 6 months old by the time preparations are done. Those that can't meet every requirement are quarantined for 120 days.
Do I need a permit to fly a dog or cat into Honolulu?
AQS says no permit is issued or required to fly a dog or cat into Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu. Flying straight to Kona, Kahului, or Līhuʻe needs a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit, with documents received 30 or more days ahead.
We're a military family. Anything different?
The DoD FAVN lab is one of the approved labs, but AQS notes it is only for DoD beneficiaries authorized treatment at DoD medical facilities. The rest of the steps are the same.
What about service dogs, or animals other than dogs and cats?
Guide and service dogs have their own entry rules: guide and service dogs (opens in a new tab). Some breeds and species, including wolf hybrids and Bengal and Savannah cats, are prohibited under Plant Quarantine rules: animal import guidelines (opens in a new tab).
Official contacts and links
Animal Quarantine Station
AQS says email is the best way to reach them: rabiesfree@hawaii.gov. Phone (808) 483-7151. 99-951 Hālawa Valley Street, ʻAiea, HI 96701.
Forms and checks
AQS also posted a notice (June 2026) that any animal needing a certificate of veterinary inspection for import must carry a New World Screwworm statement. Ask your vet and confirm with AQS.
Planning the rest of the move? See the Oʻahu Arrival Guide and the Neighborhood Explorer.
Matt Ball, REALTOR®
Moving with a pet?
I can't speed up quarantine, but I can help you plan a home search around your pet's timeline.
