Hawaii is the only U.S. state with a rabies-free quarantine program, and it shows in the paperwork. I built a three-tab spreadsheet before Luna's first crossing: one tab for the import permit, one tab for vaccine dates, one tab for the documents the Animal Quarantine Station wants in advance. Nothing here is improvised. Read the checklist twice, then read it again. Hawaii rewards people who work backwards from arrival day.
Bringing a pet to Hawaii requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.
How Hawaii handles your pet Send all documents (Dog & Cat Import Form, two rabies vaccination certificates, payment) in as a set more than 10 days before arrival.
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
🐕 Dog 🐈 Cat
Cabin policy Advance booking required ✓ Yesd permits WILL NOT be issued without confirmation with those facilities. Before booking your flight, refer to the appropriate checklist based on where your pet is located, either: “Checklist 2 – for Requesting Direct… verified 2026-07-15 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Advance booking required ✓ Yesd permits WILL NOT be issued without confirmation with those facilities. Before booking your flight, refer to the appropriate checklist based on where your pet is located, either: “Checklist 2 – for Requesting Direct… verified 2026-07-14 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ Yestted along with all pre-arrival documents (Two rabies vaccination certificates, health certificate, pre-payments made payable to: Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity ) NO LESS THAN 10 DAYS BEFORE PET ARRIVES IN… verified 2026-07-14 Health certificate validity 10 days …health certificate, pre-payments made payable to: Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity ) NO LESS THAN 10 DAYS BEFORE PET ARRIVES verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Required ✓ YesRequest For Electronic Microchip for Foreign Countries [aqs-73.pdf, Rev. 07/03] For pets arriving from Guam see required affidavit for export IC-5 in the preceding “Forms” s verified 2026-07-20 Quarantine · Type Quarantine Station …* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CONTACT INFO: Email us: [email protected] Animal Quarantine Station phone: (808) 483-7151 (Due to the large volume of calls and the time zone difference, the best way to… verified 2026-07-28 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesTo avoid your animal being placed into quarantine, proof of two rabies vaccinations within the required timeframe and a passing FAVN test are required for all dogs and cats entering the State of Hawai‘i. verified 2026-07-29 Quarantine · Reducible ✓ Yesation on requirements for allowing guide dogs and service dogs to enter Hawai‘i without quarantine click HERE . NOTE: Effective January 1, 2019, it is a violation of state law t verified 2026-07-14 Quarantine · Duration 10 days The higher fee of $244 for each dog or cat released at the airport shall apply (instead of $185) when documents are not received by the Animal Quarantine Station 10 days or more before arrival. verified 2026-07-20 Quarantine · Estimated cost 1080 120-day program $ 1,080 verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Reduced duration 5 days …Information Page (Updated) For Honolulu Arrival: Follow Checklist 1-for Direct Airport Release and 5 day or less Program: https://dab.hawai verified 2026-07-14 Quarantine · Approved facility required ✓ Yes* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * CONTACT INFO: Email us: [email protected] Animal Quarantine Station phone: (808) 483-7151 (Due to the large volume of calls and the time zone diffe verified 2026-07-14 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Required ✓ YesTo avoid your animal being placed into quarantine, proof of two rabies vaccinations within the required timeframe and a passing FAVN test are required for all dogs and cats entering the State of Hawai‘i. verified 2026-07-28 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved labs list Kansas State University, Auburn University, University of Missouri, DOD Laboratory Make sure “HAWAII” is listed as the Destination on the FAVN lab submission form for Kansas State University, DOD Lab, Auburn University and the University of Missouri. verified 2026-07-14 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Test validity months 36 months A passing result will be valid for 36 months after the day KSU or DOD received the test sample. verified 2026-07-15 Import permit · Required ✓ YesFor animals that will be arriving at Kona (Hawai‘i Island), Kahului (Maui) or Līhu‘e (Kaua‘i) airports , you must complete a Neighbor Island Import Permit (NIIP) application and then provide your application number to… verified 2026-07-14 Tick treatment · Required ✓ YesA veterinarian must treat the pet for ticks with a product containing Fipronil or an equivalent long-acting product labeled to kill ticks (Revolution® is not acceptable) within 14 days of arrival verified 2026-07-15 Tick treatment · Drug accepted Fipronil A veterinarian must treat the pet for ticks with a product containing Fipronil or an equivalent long-acting product labeled to kill ticks (Revolution® is not acceptable) within 14 days of arrival verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Issuer accredited_vet HEALTH CERTIFICATE - A health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within 14 days prior to arrival is required. verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Required ✓ Yes1/24 – One completed form per pet is required to be submitted along with all pre-arrival documents (Two rabies vaccination certificates, health certificate, pre-payments made payable to: Department of Agriculture and… verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Validity days 10 days If the health certificate cannot be sent 10 days before arriving with the rest of the documents, the original must be given to the inspector upon… verified 2026-07-25 Microchip required · Microchip required ✓ YesRequest For Electronic Microchip for Foreign Countries [aqs-73.pdf, Rev. 07/03] For pets arriving from Guam see required affidavit for export IC-5 in the preceding “Forms” section. ► OIE-FAVN TEST RESULTS Pets owners do… verified 2026-06-19 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ YesCurrent information is available at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm https://www.tahc.texas.gov/emergency/nws.html All animals requiring a CVI for… verified 2026-07-17 Rabies vaccination · Booster required ✓ YesTo avoid your animal being placed into quarantine, proof of two rabies vaccinations within the required timeframe and a passing FAVN test are required for all dogs and cats entering the State of Hawai‘i verified 2026-07-14 Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination 5 days Summary For Veterinarians [AQS-39, Rev. 8/19] Summary for veterinarians of health certification, microchip, rabies vaccination intervals, OIE-FAVN test and waiting periods requirements of the 5 Day Or Less program. verified 2026-07-29 Screwworm treatment · Required ✓ Yes-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm https://www.tahc.texas.gov/emergency/nws.html All animals requiring a CVI for importation into Hawaii must have a certifying statement: “All animals were inspected and found free of… verified 2026-07-29 Health certificate required · Health certificate required ✓ YesDue to limitations in inter-island service on the weekend, pets arriving on Thursday or Friday may not be transferred to satellite quarantine stations and approved hospitals on the neighbor islands until the following… verified 2026-06-19 Rabies vaccination required · Rabies vaccination required ✓ YesComplete your dog’s or cat’s profile and you can upload all your supporting documents to the Pet Detail page including: Rabies vaccination certificates (2) FAVN test results Health Certificates Itinerary Pay fees (Visa… verified 2026-06-19 Service & assistance animals Fee waived ✓ Yesclick HERE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Guide & Service Dogs For information on requirements for allowing guide dogs and service dogs to enter Hawai‘i without quarantine click HERE . NOTE:… verified 2026-07-14 Recognized ✓ Yesclick HERE * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Guide & Service Dogs For information on requirements for allowing guide dogs and service dogs to ent verified 2026-07-14 Quarantine exemption ✓ YesFor information on requirements for allowing guide dogs and service dogs to enter Hawai‘i without quarantine click HERE verified 2026-07-14 Import rules modified ✓ YesModified Quarantine Relating To Guide And Service Dogs verified 2026-07-15 Documentation required ✓ YesFor animals that will be arriving at Kona (Hawai‘i Island), Kahului (Maui) or Līhu‘e (Kaua‘i) airports , you must complete a Neighbor Island Import Permit (NIIP) application and then provide your application number to… verified 2026-07-15 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ Yes1/24 – One completed form per pet is required to be submitted along with all pre-arrival documents (Two rabies vaccination certificates, health certificate, pre-payments made payable to: Department of Agriculture and… verified 2026-07-11 Health certificate validity 10 days …health certificate, pre-payments made payable to: Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity ) NO LESS THAN 10 DAYS BEFORE PET ARRIVES verified 2026-07-15 Import permit copy required ✓ YesFor animals that will be arriving at Kona (Hawai‘i Island), Kahului (Maui) or Līhu‘e (Kaua‘i) airports , you must complete a Neighbor Island Import Permit (NIIP) application and then provide your application number to… verified 2026-07-15 Microchip · Required ✓ YesRequest For Electronic Microchip for Foreign Countries [aqs-73.pdf, Rev. 07/03] For pets arriving from Guam see required affidavit for export IC-5 in the preceding “Forms” s verified 2026-07-29 Quarantine · Type approved_facility the law requires dogs and cats that do not meet all of the specific 5 Day Or Less program requirements to be quarantined for up to 120 days upon arrival in Hawai‘i. verified 2026-07-14 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesTo avoid your animal being placed into quarantine, proof of two rabies vaccinations within the required timeframe and a passing FAVN test are required for all dogs and cats entering the State of Hawai‘i. verified 2026-07-29 Quarantine · Duration 30 days …Permits, owners must ensure the following documentation is received by the Animal Quarantine Station 30 days or more ahead of the planned arrival : Completed Dog & Cat Impor verified 2026-07-14 Quarantine · Estimated cost 1080 120-day program $ 1,080 verified 2026-07-15 Quarantine · Approved facility required ✓ YesAll dogs and cats that will be quarantined at the state Animal Quarantine Station (AQS) on Oahu must be registered with an approved veterinary hospital verified 2026-07-15 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Required ✓ YesTo avoid your animal being placed into quarantine, proof of two rabies vaccinations within the required timeframe and a passing FAVN test are required for all dogs and cats entering the State of Hawai‘i verified 2026-07-14 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved labs list Kansas State University, Auburn University, University of Missouri, DOD Laboratory Make sure “HAWAII” is listed as the Destination on the FAVN lab submission form for Kansas State University, DOD Lab, Auburn University and the University of Missouri. verified 2026-07-14 Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Test validity months 36 months A passing result will be valid for 36 months after the day KSU or DOD received the test sample. verified 2026-07-15 Import permit · Required ✓ YesFor animals that will be arriving at Kona (Hawai‘i Island), Kahului (Maui) or Līhu‘e (Kaua‘i) airports , you must complete a Neighbor Island Import Permit (NIIP) application and then provide your application number to… verified 2026-07-14 Tick treatment · Required ✓ YesA veterinarian must treat the pet for ticks with a product containing Fipronil or an equivalent long-acting product labeled to kill ticks (Revolution® is not acceptable) within 14 days of arrival verified 2026-07-15 Tick treatment · Drug accepted Fipronil A veterinarian must treat the pet for ticks with a product containing Fipronil or an equivalent long-acting product labeled to kill ticks (Revolution® is not acceptable) within 14 days of arrival verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Issuer accredited_vet HEALTH CERTIFICATE - A health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within 14 days prior to arrival is required. verified 2026-07-15 Health certificate · Required ✓ YesS-279], Rev. 1/24 – One completed form per pet is required to be submitted along with all pre-arrival documents (Two rabies vaccination certificates, health certificate, pre-payments made payable to: Department of… verified 2026-07-29 Health certificate · Validity days 5 days ts made payable to: Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity ) NO LESS THAN 10 DAYS BEFORE PET ARRIVES IN HAWAI‘I TO QUALIFY FOR 5 DAY OR LESS or AIRPORT RELEASE . If the health certificate cannot be sent 10 days b verified 2026-07-14 Rabies vaccination · Required ✓ YesTo avoid your animal being placed into quarantine, proof of two rabies vaccinations within the required timeframe and a passing FAVN test are required for all dogs and cats entering the State of Hawai‘i. verified 2026-07-29 Rabies vaccination · Booster required ✓ YesTo avoid your animal being placed into quarantine, proof of two rabies vaccinations within the required timeframe and a passing FAVN test are required for all dogs and cats entering the State of Hawai‘i verified 2026-07-14 Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination 5 days Summary For Veterinarians [AQS-39, Rev. 8/19] Summary for veterinarians of health certification, microchip, rabies vaccination intervals, OIE-FAVN test and waiting periods requirements of the 5 Day Or Less program. verified 2026-07-29
Timing chain
Day -90 microchip implant · Day -5 rabies vaccine deadline · Day -10 health certificate issued · Day 0 arrive at customs
Hawaii applies a 5 day waiting period after the primary rabies vaccination before an animal qualifies under the state program. Count that interval on a calendar, not from memory, and schedule the vaccine so the fifth day falls far before departure. Veterinary summary AQS-39 records the same interval alongside the microchip and OIE-FAVN test sequence, so the vaccination date drives every later booking.
Documents that reach the Animal Quarantine Station 10 days or more before arrival keep the airport release fee at 185 USD. Later paperwork raises it to 244 USD for each dog or cat. Send the packet by courier with tracking, and confirm receipt by phone rather than assuming delivery. The 10 day mark is the deadline that changes the price.
Frequently asked
Does my pet need a microchip for Hawaii? Yes. Hawaii requires an ISO-standard microchip, and it must be fitted before the rabies vaccination to be valid. How long before travel must the rabies vaccine be given for Hawaii? The rabies vaccine must take effect at least 5 days before entry. Travelling before that window makes the vaccination invalid at the border. What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity? If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays. What happens if I forget a document? At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
Hawaii publishes 1080 USD for the 120 day quarantine program. Budget that figure separately from airline charges, veterinary visits and the OIE-FAVN test, because it covers only the state program itself. Owners who miss a vaccination interval fall back into the longer track and pay it in full, so the cheapest route through Hawaii is a calendar built months ahead.
Luna's file for Hawaii lives in a folder, a cloud drive and a printed copy in the carrier, because the Animal Quarantine Station does not accept enthusiasm as evidence. Work the dates backwards from your arrival, and confirm every interval with your own vet before you book. If you would rather not build the spreadsheet yourself, Pawgo's plan builder assembles a personalized plan for your exact route and dates.
Glossary
ISO chip ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard. FAVN Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations. Brachycephalic Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk. AVIH Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
