Arriving in Hawaii with a dog

Microchip Required

Dog or cat must have an electronic microchip implanted before the FAVN rabies antibody blood test; a pet that cannot be identified by scanning is excluded from Direct Airport Release and 5 Day Or Less (120 days quarantine).

⚠️ 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.

Health certificate Required

Original health certificate in English, issued within 14 days of arrival, listing vaccine name, lot, booster interval, vaccination date and expiry; original must go to the inspector on arrival if not sent in advance.

Quarantine Required

Animals that do not meet all 5 Day Or Less requirements are quarantined for up to 120 days. If met: Direct Airport Release in Honolulu or at most 5 days.

⚠️ Captured is the branch for origins outside the exempted areas (DE is not one). Pets from the British Isles, Australia, Guam and New Zealand follow a separate checklist. The numbers (30-day titer/vaccination wait, 10-day advance filing, up to 120 days quarantine) come from HDOA alone (one source) and therefore stay in text only.

Parasite treatment Required

Tick treatment by a veterinarian with a long-acting tick product (Revolution not acceptable) within 14 days of arrival, recorded on the health certificate.

Registration Required

Advance notification: Dog & Cat Import Form AQS-279, two rabies certificates and payment must reach the Animal Quarantine Station at least 10 days before arrival in Honolulu; otherwise higher fee and possible disqualification from direct release. Neighbor islands (KOA/OGG/LIH): 30 days ahead plus Neighbor Island Inspection Permit.

Import permit Required

No classic import permit needed, but the CDC Dog Import Form is mandatory for all dogs: complete online at cdc.gov/importation/dogs before travel (DogBot); allow 2–10 business days; bring the receipt to the airport.

Microchip Required

Yes – readable by universal scanner

Minimum age / young animals Required

Dogs: minimum age 6 months (CDC requirement).

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”.