Hawaii Pet Import Checklist: Dogs and Cats

TLDR: Hawaii has four separate checklists depending on where your pet is coming from and where it is landing. Using the wrong checklist is one of the most common and most costly mistakes in the entire process. Identify your scenario first, then follow only the checklist that applies to you.

This page consolidates the four official Hawaii pet import scenarios into a single printable reference. Each checklist covers the complete set of requirements for that path, nothing more, nothing less. For the full regulatory background behind these steps, see our Hawaii pet import requirements guide. Links to detailed guides for each step are included where relevant.

Before You Start: Identify Your Checklist

Pets arriving from the British Isles, Australia, Guam, or New Zealand use a separate checklist not covered here. Contact AQS at [email protected] for those routes.

Checklist 1: Mainland Origin, Arriving at Honolulu (HNL)

For dogs and cats currently outside Hawaii, flying into Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

Step 1: Microchip

• Electronic microchip implanted
• Microchip is working and scannable
• Microchip implanted before the FAVN blood test was performed

Step 2: Rabies Vaccinations

• Two rabies vaccinations on record
• The two vaccinations were administered more than 30 days apart
• Most recent vaccination administered more than 30 days before arrival date
• Most recent vaccination not expired on arrival date (within manufacturer's licensed booster interval)
• Both vaccination certificates include: vaccine name, lot or serial number, booster interval, vaccination date, vaccine expiration date
• Both certificates signed in ink by a licensed veterinarian

Step 3: OIE-FAVN Blood Test

• FAVN blood test performed after microchip was implanted
• Test submitted to an approved lab: KSU, Auburn University, University of Missouri, or DOD lab
• Test ordered was OIE-FAVN specifically (not KSU Micro Screen / Micro RFFIT / MRS)
• "HAWAII" listed as destination on the lab submission form
• Result is 0.5 IU/ml or greater
• 30-day waiting period complete: at least 30 days have elapsed since the day after the approved lab received the blood sample
• FAVN result is within 36 months of lab receipt date
• Eligibility date confirmed at dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/animal-quarantine-microchip-search/

For a full walkthrough of this step, see our Hawaii FAVN test guide.

Step 4: Health Certificate

• Original health certificate in English (no photocopies)
• Issued by a licensed veterinarian within 14 days of arrival
• Includes: rabies vaccine name, lot or serial number, booster interval, vaccination date, expiration date
• Includes: tick treatment product name and date of application
• Note: some airlines require the health certificate within 10 days. Verify with your airline

Step 5: Tick Treatment

• Tick treatment applied by a veterinarian within 14 days of arrival
• Product is labeled to kill ticks
• Revolution (Selemectin-only) not used
• Revolution Plus acceptability: verify with AQS or treating vet before use
• K-9 Advantix: dogs only, not for use on cats
• Product name and date of treatment recorded on health certificate
• Current accepted active ingredients list confirmed at dab.hawaii.gov/ai/main/tick-treatments/

Step 6: Import Form and Documents

• AQS-279 Dog and Cat Import Form completed (one per pet)
• Legal owner listed on AQS-279 (not a handler or transport company)
• Original rabies vaccination certificates for the two most recent vaccinations included
• Original health certificate included (or hand-carried to inspection)
• Payment included: $185 if documents received 10+ days before arrival; $244 if received less than 10 days before arrival
• Payment by cashier's check or money order payable to the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (no personal checks)
• Complete document set submitted as a package, not piecemeal
• Documents received by AQS at least 10 days before arrival (for $185 fee)
• Submission via HIPOP online portal (hipop.ais.hawaii.gov) or by mail with return receipt to: Animal Quarantine Station, 99-951 Halawa Valley Street, Aiea, Hawaii 96701

Step 7: Arrival at Honolulu

• Flight arrives by 3:30 PM to ensure delivery to AAQHF before 4:30 PM inspection cutoff
• Inspection hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM daily. Verify current hours at dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/aqs-info/ before travel
• Vehicle large enough to hold the assembled crate with pet inside
• Pet stays in crate on airport property. Do not remove on airport grounds
• If connecting to a neighbor island after release: arrange baggage cart (no carts or porters at AAQHF)

What happens if any step is missed: Pet will not be released. Quarantine begins immediately at up to 120 days. At $14.30 per day plus the $244 program fee, a full 120-day quarantine costs approximately $1,960. There are no on-site remedies.

Checklist 2: Mainland Origin, Flying Directly to a Neighbor Island (OGG / LIH / KOA)

For dogs and cats currently outside Hawaii, flying directly to Kahului (OGG), Lihue (LIH), or Kona (KOA).

All requirements from Checklist 1 apply, plus the following neighbor island additions:

Steps 1 through 5: Same as Checklist 1 above. Complete all steps before proceeding.

Step 6: NIIP Pre-Approval

• FAVN result confirmed as passing before beginning NIIP application
• Do not begin NIIP application while awaiting FAVN results
• Approved veterinary contractor on destination island contacted and reservation confirmed:
  • Maui (OGG): At Home Animal Hospital (808) 873-0102, Central Maui Animal Clinic (808) 893-2380, Kahului Animal Hospital (808) 871-7387, Kihei Veterinary Clinic (808) 879-5777, Makawao Veterinary Clinic (808) 572-9003, Maui Humane Society (808) 877-3680, South Shore Veterinary Care (808) 874-3422, West Maui Animal Clinic (808) 662-0099
  • Kauai (LIH): Kauai Humane Society (808) 632-0610, Kauai North Shore Animal Clinic (808) 755-8728
  • Big Island / Kona (KOA): Alii Veterinary Hospital (808) 329-8999, Keauhou Veterinary Hospital (808) 322-2988, Kona Veterinary Service (808) 325-6637
• Verify current list at dab.hawaii.gov/ai/nivetfac/ before booking. List changes
• Contractor has sent confirmation directly to AQS
• NIIP application number given to contracted island vet

Step 7: Import Form and Documents

• AQS-279 Dog and Cat Import Form completed (one per pet)
• Legal owner listed on AQS-279
• Original rabies vaccination certificates included
• Flight information included: airline, flight number, arrival date and time
• Payment of $165 by cashier's check or money order
• Complete document set received by AQS at least 30 days before arrival (not 10)
• Submission via HIPOP or by mail to AQS

Step 8: NIIP Issued

• NIIP received by email from AQS
• NIIP printed and in hand before travel. No printed NIIP means pet cannot board the flight
• Airline confirmed as participating in neighbor island pet transport

Step 9: Arrival at Neighbor Island

• NIIP presented to airline at check-in
• NIIP presented to inspector upon arrival
• Contractor at destination island notified of flight details

What happens if any step is missed: Pet will not be released. NIIP cannot be issued retroactively. Pet may be quarantined or owner required to route through Honolulu at own expense.

Checklist 3: Hawaii Resident Pet, Returning to Honolulu (HNL)

For dogs and cats that live in Hawaii, have left the state temporarily, and are returning to Honolulu.

Key difference from Checklist 1: All testing and vaccination requirements must be completed before the pet departs Hawaii, not after. The timing anchor is the departure date from Hawaii, not the arrival date back. For a side-by-side comparison of how timing works for mainland-origin versus returning resident pets, see our Hawaii pet import timeline.

Before departure from Hawaii:

• FAVN blood test performed and result is passing (0.5 IU/ml or greater)
• The day after the approved lab received the blood sample was at least 14 days before the pet's departure date from Hawaii
• FAVN result is within 36 months of lab receipt date
• Most recent rabies vaccination administered in Hawaii
• Most recent rabies vaccination administered not less than 14 days before departure from Hawaii
• Most recent rabies vaccination not expired on return date

Health certificate at departure:

• Health certificate issued by a Hawaii veterinarian before departure from Hawaii
• Certificate includes pet's Hawaii address and departure date from Hawaii
• If returning within 14 days: departure health certificate may serve as the return health certificate
• If returning more than 14 days after departure: additional health certificate required before return

On return, Steps 4, 5, 6, and 7 from Checklist 1 apply:

• Original health certificate in English within 14 days of return arrival (or departure certificate if within 14 days)
• Tick treatment within 14 days of return arrival, product labeled to kill ticks, recorded on health certificate
• AQS-279 completed, documents submitted as a set
• Re-entry fee: $98 if documents received 10+ days before arrival; $130 if received late
• Copy of Airport Release Card from previous Hawaii arrival included
• Flight arrives by 3:30 PM; inspection hours 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Verify with AQS

What happens if any step is missed: Pet will face quarantine on return, or be required to complete the full mainland import requirements as any other non-resident pet entering Hawaii.

Checklist 4: Hawaii Resident Pet, Returning to a Neighbor Island (OGG / LIH / KOA)

For dogs and cats that live in Hawaii, have left the state, and are returning directly to Kahului (OGG), Lihue (LIH), or Kona (KOA).

All requirements from Checklist 3 apply, plus the following additions:

Before departure from Hawaii:

• All Checklist 3 pre-departure steps complete
• The day after the approved lab received the FAVN blood sample was at least 14 days before departure from Hawaii

NIIP requirements on return, same as Checklist 2:

• FAVN result confirmed as passing
• Approved veterinary contractor on destination island contacted and reservation confirmed (see contractor list in Checklist 2 above)
• Contractor has sent confirmation to AQS
• All documents submitted to AQS at least 30 days before return arrival (not 10)
• $165 NIIP fee included
• NIIP received and printed before travel

What happens if any step is missed: Pet will face quarantine on return or be required to route through Honolulu. NIIP cannot be issued retroactively.

Fees at a Glance

Key Contacts

If you are moving any pet other than a dog or cat, including rabbits, birds, or other species, requirements differ significantly. See our guide to animals allowed and prohibited in Hawaii before booking travel.

How PetRelocation Can Help

The checklist is only as useful as the timeline behind it. PetRelocation's relocation coordinators guide every step across all four scenarios, from FAVN test coordination through document submission and NIIP arrangement. If you are not sure which checklist applies to your situation, a consultation with a relocation coordinator will map it out before you commit to a travel date.

Get a free quote from PetRelocation and a relocation manager will walk you through every step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which checklist do I use? The checklist depends on two things: where your pet is coming from (outside Hawaii vs. returning Hawaii resident) and where it is landing (Honolulu vs. a neighbor island). There are four combinations and four checklists. Match your situation to the table at the top of this page before starting any preparation.

What is the difference between Checklist 1 and Checklist 2? Both cover pets coming from outside Hawaii. Checklist 1 is for pets landing at Honolulu (HNL). Checklist 2 is for pets flying directly to Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island. Checklist 2 requires a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit, a contracted inspection facility on the destination island, documents submitted 30 days before arrival (not 10), and a $165 NIIP fee instead of the $185 direct release fee.

What is the difference between the resident returning checklists (3 and 4) and the mainland origin checklists (1 and 2)? For resident pets (Checklists 3 and 4), all testing and vaccination requirements must be completed before the pet leaves Hawaii, not in advance of the return arrival. The timing anchor is the departure date from Hawaii. For mainland-origin pets (Checklists 1 and 2), the timing anchor is the arrival date in Hawaii.

Can I submit documents online? Yes. The Hawaii Pet Owner Portal (HIPOP) at hipop.ais.hawaii.gov accepts online submissions with payment by Visa or Mastercard. Hard copy submissions by mail with return receipt are also accepted. Faxes and photocopies are not accepted for mailed submissions.

What if my pet is a Hawaii resident but my FAVN test was not done before we left? If your pet left Hawaii without a passing FAVN test on record, it will face quarantine on return or be required to complete the full mainland import requirements. There is no retroactive exemption for Hawaii residents. The test must be passed and the pre-departure timing requirement met before the pet departs the state.

How do I check if my pet's FAVN result and eligibility date are confirmed? Use your pet's microchip number at dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/animal-quarantine-microchip-search/. Do not contact the laboratory directly for results.