Cost of Moving a Pet to Hawaii
TLDR: Moving a pet to Hawaii costs between $500 and $2,000 or more depending on your pet's starting point, destination island, airline choice, and whether you hire professional help. The largest single variable is the FAVN lab fee, which varies by lab. The most expensive outcome is quarantine, at approximately $1,960 for a full 120 days, and it is entirely avoidable with correct preparation.
Most people searching for the cost of moving a pet to Hawaii are trying to decide whether to do it themselves or hire a relocation service, and whether the total cost justifies bringing their pet at all. This article breaks down every fee in the process, including government fees, lab fees, vet fees, and the cost of getting it wrong, so you can make that decision with accurate numbers in hand.
Fee verification date: June 11, 2026. Fees are subject to change. Verify current figures directly with AQS and your airline before travel.
Government Fees: Fixed and Confirmed
These are set by Hawaii's Animal Quarantine Station and do not vary by airline, lab, or service provider. All fees verified against dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/aqs-info/ as of June 11, 2026. For the complete document submission checklist behind each fee trigger, see our Hawaii pet import checklist.
| Fee | Amount | When It Applies |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Airport Release (DAR), Honolulu | $185 | Documents received 10+ days before arrival |
| DAR, documents received late | $244 | Documents received fewer than 10 days before arrival |
| 5 Day Or Less program | $244 | Pets entering the 5 Day Or Less program |
| NIIP fee, neighbor island direct arrival | $165 | Maui (OGG), Kauai (LIH), Big Island (KOA) |
| Re-entry, Hawaii resident returning, Honolulu | $98 | Documents received 10+ days before arrival |
| Re-entry, documents received late | $130 | Documents received fewer than 10 days before arrival |
| Overnight hold fee | $59 | Pet not picked up by 4:30 PM on arrival day; must be retrieved by 10:00 AM the following morning |
| Overdue release fee | $17.80 per day | Pet not picked up on scheduled release date |
| Quarantine daily rate | $14.30 per day | Pet quarantined for failing to meet requirements |
| Quarantine program fee | $244 | Applied at start of quarantine in addition to daily rate |
| Full 120-day quarantine (worst case) | Approximately $1,960 | $14.30 x 120 days + $244 program fee |
Payment: Cashier's check or money order payable to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Personal checks not accepted. Online payment via Visa or Mastercard available through the HIPOP portal at hipop.ais.hawaii.gov.
FAVN Lab Fees
The OIE-FAVN blood test is required for all dogs and cats entering Hawaii. Fees vary by lab. Contact each lab directly for current rates before submitting. For full details on how the test works and how to avoid timing mistakes, see our Hawaii FAVN test guide.
| Lab | Fee | Turnaround Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas State University (KSU) | Contact ksvdl.org or call 785-532-4483 | 10 to 14 calendar days | Most commonly used civilian lab. Online submission available. |
| University of Missouri | $79, no additional fees | 7 to 10 days | Confirmed current fee. Online submission available. |
| Auburn University | Contact directly: (334) 844-2659 | Confirm directly | 261 Greene Hall, Auburn, AL 36849-5519 |
| DOD Lab (Fort Sam Houston) | Contact installation veterinary clinic | Confirm directly | DoD beneficiaries only, not available to civilian pet owners |
Vet fee for blood draw: Your veterinarian will charge a separate fee for the blood draw appointment, typically $50 to $150 for the exam and draw. This is in addition to the lab fee.
Airline Fees
Airline pet fees apply separately from AQS government fees. Contact your airline directly for current rates before booking, as these change frequently. Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines are the primary carriers for Hawaii pet moves. See the airlines that fly pets to Hawaii guide for full policy details by carrier.
Veterinary Fees
Vet fees vary by practice and location. The following are typical ranges based on current market rates.
| Service | Typical Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FAVN blood draw exam | $50 to $150 | Vet exam plus the draw; separate from lab fee |
| Rabies vaccination (if needed) | $20 to $50 per shot | Two required if starting from scratch |
| Health certificate | $50 to $150 | Required within 14 days of arrival |
| Tick treatment | $20 to $60 | Depends on product and pet size |
| Microchip (if not already implanted) | $45 to $75 | One-time cost; required before FAVN test |
Total vet cost estimate (pet starting from scratch): $250 to $500 for the full sequence including two vaccines, FAVN blood draw, health certificate, tick treatment, and microchip.
Total vet cost estimate (pet with existing vaccinations and passing FAVN): $100 to $200 for health certificate and tick treatment only.
What a Complete Move Costs: Scenarios
These are realistic total cost estimates combining all fee categories above. Airline fees are not included in the totals below as they vary by carrier and route. Contact your airline directly for current rates and add that figure to whichever scenario applies. For a full picture of how the timeline and these costs intersect, see our Hawaii pet import timeline.
Scenario 1: Small dog or cat, Honolulu arrival, starting from scratch
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Microchip | $60 |
| Two rabies vaccinations | $80 |
| FAVN blood draw (vet fee) | $100 |
| FAVN lab fee (University of Missouri) | $79 |
| Health certificate | $100 |
| Tick treatment | $40 |
| AQS DAR fee | $185 |
| Total before airline fees | Approximately $644 |
Scenario 2: Large dog, Honolulu arrival, starting from scratch
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Microchip | $60 |
| Two rabies vaccinations | $80 |
| FAVN blood draw (vet fee) | $100 |
| FAVN lab fee | $79 |
| Health certificate | $100 |
| Tick treatment | $40 |
| AQS DAR fee | $185 |
| IATA-compliant hard-sided kennel | $100 to $300 |
| Total before airline fees | Approximately $744 to $944 |
Scenario 3: Dog or cat, neighbor island arrival (Maui, Kauai, or Big Island), starting from scratch
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| All vet fees (same as above) | $459 |
| NIIP fee | $165 |
| IATA kennel (if large dog) | $100 to $300 |
| Total before airline fees | Approximately $624 to $924 |
Scenario 4: Pet already has passing FAVN, Honolulu arrival
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Health certificate | $100 |
| Tick treatment | $40 |
| AQS DAR fee | $185 |
| Total before airline fees | Approximately $325 |
The Cost of Getting It Wrong
| What goes wrong | Cost |
|---|---|
| Documents arrive at AQS fewer than 10 days before arrival | Fee increases from $185 to $244 |
| Pet arrives before 30-day FAVN waiting period is complete | $14.30 per day + $244 program fee from day one of quarantine |
| Full 120-day quarantine | Approximately $1,960 |
| Pet not picked up by 4:30 PM on arrival day | $59 overnight hold fee |
| Pet not picked up on scheduled release date | $17.80 per day |
| Wrong FAVN test ordered at KSU (Micro Screen instead of OIE-FAVN) | Restart from new blood draw; additional vet fee, lab fee, and weeks of delay |
| Health certificate issued more than 14 days before arrival | Certificate invalid; new certificate required and potential missed flight |
The most expensive single mistake is arriving before the 30-day FAVN waiting period is complete. Even a 30-day quarantine costs approximately $673. A full 120 days costs approximately $1,960. Getting the timing right costs nothing.
How PetRelocation Can Help
The total cost of a Hawaii pet move depends heavily on how smoothly each step goes. A missed deadline, a wrong lab test, or a document arriving two days late can add hundreds of dollars to the total. PetRelocation's relocation coordinators guide the process from FAVN test through arrival, helping you avoid the timing errors and documentation mistakes that turn a manageable move into an expensive one. For the full requirements behind each line item above, see our Hawaii pet import requirements guide.
Get a free quote from PetRelocation and a relocation manager will walk you through every step.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to move a pet to Hawaii? For a pet starting from scratch with no prior vaccinations or FAVN test, expect to spend $600 to $900 or more before airline fees, depending on your pet's size and destination island. For a pet that already has a current passing FAVN result and just needs a health certificate and tick treatment, the government and vet fees alone are closer to $325. Add airline fees on top of either figure, and contact your carrier directly for current rates.
What is the AQS direct release fee? The Direct Airport Release fee is $185 per pet if all documents are received by the Animal Quarantine Station at least 10 days before arrival. Documents received fewer than 10 days before arrival result in a $244 fee. Payment is by cashier's check or money order; online payment is available through hipop.ais.hawaii.gov.
How much does the FAVN test cost? The University of Missouri charges $79 with no additional fees and is currently the most transparent civilian option on cost. KSU does not publish its current fee publicly; check ksvdl.org or call 785-532-4483. Auburn University fees should be confirmed by calling (334) 844-2659. Your vet will charge separately for the blood draw exam, typically $50 to $150.
What does Hawaii pet quarantine cost? The current daily rate is $14.30 per day plus a $244 program fee applied at the start. A full 120-day quarantine costs approximately $1,960. Quarantine is entirely avoidable for a pet that meets all requirements before arrival.
Is the NIIP cheaper than the Honolulu direct release fee? Yes. The NIIP fee for direct arrivals at Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island is $165, compared to the $185 direct release fee at Honolulu. However, neighbor island arrivals require documents submitted 30 days before arrival rather than 10, and not all airlines fly pets directly to neighbor island airports.
Do airline pet fees count toward the AQS fees? No. Airline pet fees and AQS government fees are completely separate. You pay the airline for transport and you pay AQS for the inspection and release program. Both apply on every Hawaii move. Contact your airline directly for current pet transport fees.
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