Hawaii - Pets

Arriving in Hawaii with Pets On Board

Hawaii is rabies-free, so regulations regarding animals on board yachts are more strict than on the US mainland.

Honolulu is the only port of entry for all animals. Any yachts with pets on board must arrive in Honolulu for inspection and quarantine.

The rules are the same for entry by airplane or private yachts. A brief outline of the direct release and the 5 Day or Less quarantine program [5DOL program] entry requirements can be found below. These are one in the same and must be met prior to entering Hawaii to prevent being detained on arrival.

FAVN Rabies Antibody Test

A blood sample must be sent to an approved laboratory for the OIE-Flourescent Antibody Serum Neutralization Test (OIE-FAVN), which tests for the adequate response to the rabies vaccine.

Use the following website to verify if your foreign lab is listed: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/approved-labs.html

If listed, your veterinarian must verify the OIE-FAVN TEST is performed, (RFITT NOT ACCEPTED) and the testing lab must submit the OIE-FAVN results directly to HDOA main office.

The testing lab will time stamp the received date on the on the submission form. The 30-day waiting period starts the day after the lab receives the blood sample.  Assuming your pet has an acceptable titer result of 0.5 IU/ml or greater, your cat or dog may qualify to enter Hawaii after submission of documents, program fee and the 30-days from FAVN testing.

You must not arrive in Hawaii before the waiting period has elapsed, or your pet will not qualify for the 5DOL program.

Microchip

A microchip must be implanted in the cat or dog before the blood sample can be submitted to the testing lab for FAVN testing.

Submission of Documents

For entry via Honolulu, all required documents, test results and program fees must be submitted to Animal Quarantine more than 10 days before arriving. All documents must be in English.

For neighboring island arrivals, documents and payment must be submitted more than 30 days before arriving.

Send to hdoa.aqs@hawaii.gov, or via fax, (808)-483-7161.

More Information

The checklist and submission forms for this 5-day or less program, can be obtained on the HDOA website at: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/aqs-info/

Also see Quarantine FAQs on the HDOA website.

Email: rabiesfree@hawaii.gov

Animal Quarantine Station Tel: (808)-483-7151 or (808)-837-8092. You will have to attempt multiple calls to get through. Best days to call are weekends - phone lines are far less busy.

Note:

CDC dog import requirements effective 8/1/2024:

• https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/s0508-Dog-Importation-Regulation.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs.html

Last updated:  May 2025