Moving Your Cat from Hawaii to the US Mainland

TLDR: Getting your cat out of Hawaii is far simpler than getting one in. No export permits, no quarantine, no FAVN test. What you do need is a health certificate, the right airline, and awareness of a few route-specific rules that catch owners off guard.

Moving your cat from Hawaii to the US mainland involves far less paperwork than moving one in. Hawaii's strict quarantine program governs arrivals only. What you need to sort out is almost entirely on the airline side, and the rules vary more than most people expect.

Requirements at a Glance

Do You Need a Health Certificate?

No federal regulation requires a health certificate for interstate pet travel by owners, and most mainland states have no entry requirements for cats. That said, airlines require one for any cat traveling as cargo or checked baggage. The standard form is the APHIS-7001, issued by a licensed veterinarian. Most airlines require it within 10 days of travel; some allow up to 14 days. Confirm the exact window with your airline before booking your vet appointment.

You do not need a USDA endorsement for a domestic health certificate. The same certificate your vet issues goes directly to the airline.

Even if your cat is traveling in-cabin, bring a copy to check-in. Some airline agents ask for it regardless of whether the airline policy requires it for cabin travel.

Airline Options for Hawaii to Mainland

Hawaiian Airlines is the primary carrier for Hawaii-to-mainland routes and accepts cats as checked baggage in the pressurized cargo hold, as well as in-cabin for cats meeting size and weight requirements. Check Hawaiian Airlines directly for current size limits and per-flight pet availability, as both change.

United, Alaska, American, Delta, and Southwest all serve Hawaii routes, but pet acceptance policies vary significantly by airline, route, and aircraft type. Not every airline accepts pets on every Hawaii flight. Confirm directly with the airline before booking your ticket. Most airlines limit the number of pets per flight and Hawaii routes fill quickly, so contact the airline early in your planning.

Cats traveling in cargo, as checked baggage, and in-cabin are each subject to different rules, fees, and documentation requirements. Know which category your cat falls into before your vet appointment so the health certificate is prepared correctly.

Temperature Rules and the Acclimation Certificate

The federal Animal Welfare Act sets a minimum temperature standard: pets in cargo must not be exposed to temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods. If temperatures at any point along your route fall between 20F and 45F, most airlines require an acclimation certificate.

The acclimation certificate is issued by a licensed veterinarian, typically as part of or attached to the health certificate. It states the minimum temperature your cat can safely tolerate. It must be issued within 10 days of travel. It does not override the hard lower limit: most airlines will not accept pets in cargo if temperatures at any point on the route fall below 20F, regardless of the acclimation certificate.

Hawaii departures are warm year-round. The cold weather risk is at your mainland destination airport. A cat flying from Honolulu to Chicago in January is a candidate for an acclimation certificate. A cat flying from Honolulu to Los Angeles in May almost certainly is not. Check forecast temperatures at your destination airport, not just your departure city.

Summer Embargo Periods

Hawaiian Airlines restricts checked pet travel from April 15 to October 15 on flights to and from four specific mainland cities: Phoenix (PHX), San Jose (SJC), Sacramento (SMF), and Las Vegas (LAS). If your destination is Los Angeles, Seattle, New York, Chicago, or anywhere else not on that list, the embargo does not apply to your route.

If your travel does involve one of those four cities during the embargo window, options include booking early morning or late evening flights when temperatures are cooler, or using the airline's dedicated cargo service rather than checked baggage. Confirm current embargo dates and options directly with Hawaiian Airlines before booking.

Snub-Nosed Breeds

Brachycephalic cats including Persians, Himalayans, and Exotic Shorthairs face restrictions or outright bans in cargo on most carriers due to respiratory risk during air travel. In-cabin travel is generally the safer and more practical option for these breeds, provided the cat meets the airline's size and carrier requirements. Confirm acceptance with the airline before booking. Do not assume a snub-nosed cat will be accepted in cargo on a Hawaii route.

What Hawaii Does Not Require on Departure

Hawaii's import rules govern arrivals only. There is no exit permit, no outbound AQS documentation, and no FAVN test required when your cat leaves the state. If your cat completed Hawaii's inbound requirements and has been living in Hawaii, none of that paperwork carries over to the departure process.

One exception: if your cat is a Hawaii resident that will be leaving and returning to Hawaii, the return trip triggers the full inbound process again, including a valid FAVN result within the required window. If you are planning a temporary departure and return, check your cat's current FAVN test date before booking. The Hawaii pet import requirements page covers the full return process.

How PetRelocation Can Help

Coordinating a cat move out of Hawaii means managing health certificate timing, airline restrictions, embargo windows, and sometimes acclimation documentation, all within a tight pre-travel window. PetRelocation has handled outbound Hawaii moves for over 20 years across all service levels.

Complete Support covers the full process including vet coordination, airline booking, and document preparation. Vet Paperwork Support focuses on the health certificate and acclimation paperwork while you manage the flight logistics. Consultation gives you direct access to a coordinator to work through your specific situation before committing.

Get a free quote from PetRelocation and a relocation manager will walk you through your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a health certificate to fly my cat from Hawaii to the mainland?
Airlines require a health certificate for cats traveling as cargo or checked baggage regardless of the destination. Most require the APHIS-7001, issued by a licensed vet within 10 days of travel. Even for in-cabin travel, bring a copy to check-in. No USDA endorsement is required for domestic travel.

What is an acclimation certificate and when do I need one?
An acclimation certificate is a veterinarian-issued document stating the minimum temperature your cat can safely tolerate in transit. You need one if temperatures at any point along your route, including your mainland destination airport, are forecast to fall between 20F and 45F. Your vet issues it alongside or as part of the health certificate, within 10 days of travel.

Can my snub-nosed cat fly in cargo from Hawaii?
Most airlines restrict or prohibit brachycephalic breeds including Persians, Himalayans, and Exotic Shorthairs in cargo due to respiratory risk. In-cabin travel is the better option for these breeds if the cat meets size requirements. Confirm with your specific airline before booking.

Does Hawaii require any paperwork when my cat leaves the state?
No. Hawaii's quarantine and import rules apply to arrivals only. There is no exit permit, no outbound health certificate required by Hawaii, and no FAVN documentation required for departure. Airline health certificate requirements are separate from state regulations.