Arriving in Hawaii with a cat
What Hawaii requires when a cat arrives — whoever you are arriving from. These rules hang off the arrival, not the trip type: a flight from Frankfurt and a flight from Los Angeles are treated the same here. Requirements can change — always confirm with the authority before you travel.
🏛️ Additional rules for Hawaii
These requirements come on top of the country's — they can only tighten or add, never loosen.
Microchip Required
A microchip is required.
⚠️ The source states the microchip requirement but refers to its own checklists for the technical details (chip type, scanner) — that detail level is not captured here.
Rabies vaccination Required
For Direct Airport Release / 5 Day Or Less: at least two rabies vaccinations in the animal's lifetime, more than 30 days apart; the most recent more than 30 days before arrival and not expired. Otherwise quarantine up to 120 days.
Rabies titer test Required
Passing OIE-FAVN test (>= 0.5 IU/ml, approved lab, no RFFIT) plus a 30-day waiting period from lab receipt of the sample before arrival; otherwise no Direct Airport Release / 5 Day Or Less.
Quarantine Required
Up to 120 days of quarantine on arrival unless every requirement of the "5 Day Or Less" program is met. Pets that qualify may be released directly at Honolulu (Daniel K. Inouye International) after inspection.
Registration Required
Paperwork must reach the Animal Quarantine Station in advance: one completed form per pet, no less than 10 days before arrival — otherwise the pet does not qualify for "5 Day Or Less" or airport release.
🗓️ Read at the state authority on 31/07/2026.
Source 1: https://dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/animal-quarantine-information-page/
Source 2: https://dab.hawaii.gov/ai/files/2023/06/Checklist-1-06.13.2023.pdf
Arriving from abroad? The rules of USA
Arriving from Germany/the EU, the national entry requirements of USA apply on top. Arriving from another part of the same country means crossing no international border — then only the section above applies.
🔴 Required
Health certificate Required
Not required by CDC, but by most airlines (usually issued within 7–10 days of travel) and by some states. Check your airline’s deadline before booking; states we have captured are listed below under “Additional rules”.
🟡 Recommended
Import permit Not required
No permit; no CDC form for cats
Microchip Not required
Not federally required (recommended)
Rabies vaccination Recommended
Not required by CDC for cats entering the U.S.; CDC recommends rabies vaccination for all cats. The U.S. destination (state) may have additional requirements.
Minimum age / young animals Recommended
Cats: no CDC minimum age; valid rabies vaccination (~12 weeks).
Rabies titer test Not required
No
Other tests Not required
None
Parasite treatment Not required
Not required
Official endorsement of the health certificate Not required
CDC does not require a health certificate for entry into the United States – and therefore no endorsement by a veterinary authority either.
Quarantine Not required
None
Registration Not required
Standard
🐾 Local rules (in-country)
These apply on the ground in the destination country — to everyone, not as an entry condition — and depend on the breed and situation (e.g. public transport, listed breeds).
Breed restrictions On site
No federal breed bans
Muzzle / leash On site
None (cat)
⚠️ Notes & grey zone
Notes
CDC requires that cats appear healthy on arrival. Cats are inspected at ports of entry and may be denied entry if there is evidence of a zoonotic disease; if a cat appears ill, examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense may be required. USDA APHIS Veterinary Services has no animal health requirements for importing a pet cat.
Authority: USDA APHIS (CDC-Hunderegel gilt nicht für Katzen)
Read at the responsible authority on 30/09/2026. 📄 Official source ↗
Check your specific route & airlines →For informational purposes only. Regulations change frequently — verify with the relevant authorities before travel.