Germany → Hawaii

CDC Dog Import Form, filled in online by the person bringing the dog (one form per dog, free). The receipt arrives by e-mail after the e-mail address is confirmed; show it printed or on a phone to the airline before boarding and to U.S. Customs and Border Protection on arrival. From a low-risk country the receipt is valid for 6 months and for several entries from the same departure country; a different departure country or a visit to a high-risk country needs a new form. It can be completed on the day of travel.

Microchip of any brand that a universal scanner can read (if the number does not start with 9, check with the vet that it is readable); implanted before arrival, number entered on the CDC Dog Import Form. A dog without a readable microchip, or whose microchip does not match the documents, is refused and returned.

At least 6 months old on the day of arrival — for every dog, including U.S. dogs coming home. Younger dogs are refused and returned to the country of departure.

The dog must appear healthy. Animals are inspected at the port; a dog that looks ill may be held for a veterinary examination and tests at the owner's expense, or refused.

Working electronic microchip implanted BEFORE the FAVN blood sample is taken (the lab needs the number); the vet should scan it beforehand. A pet that cannot be identified by scanning goes into 120-day quarantine.

At least two rabies vaccinations in the pet's lifetime, given more than 30 days apart (for a pet never vaccinated: two vaccines at least 30 days apart; puppies cannot be vaccinated before 3 months with current vaccines).

The most recent rabies vaccine more than 30 days before arrival and still within its licensed booster interval on arrival (1-year vaccine: 12 months; 3-year vaccine: 36 months). Arriving within 30 days of the last vaccine means quarantine until the 30 days are over. Original certificates (signed in ink) for the 2 most recent vaccines, with vaccine name, lot/serial number, booster interval, date and lot expiry.

OIE-FAVN rabies antibody test (not RFFIT, not the KSU micro-screen) at Kansas State University, Auburn University, University of Missouri or the DoD laboratory, with "HAWAII" as destination on the submission form; result 0.5 IU/ml or more. The day after the lab RECEIVES the sample must be at least 30 days and at most 36 months before arrival (the 30-day wait). Results go straight to the Animal Quarantine Station and can be checked online; labs report delays of 1–2 months.

Original health certificate in English issued by a veterinarian within 14 days before arrival, with the microchip number, rabies vaccine details and the tick treatment. It may be mailed with the other documents or handed to the inspector on arrival (photocopies not accepted).

Since New World screwworm was found in Texas and New Mexico (June 2026), the certificate must carry the statement "All animals were inspected and found free of evidence of New World Screwworm infestation."

Tick treatment by a veterinarian within 14 days before arrival with a long-acting product labelled to kill ticks (e.g. fipronil; Revolution is not accepted); product and date written on the health certificate. A pet with ticks or other parasites on arrival is not released at the airport.

Dog & Cat Import Form AQS-279 (one per pet; the legal owner must be named), the original certificates of the 2 most recent rabies vaccines and the fee, received by the Animal Quarantine Station in ‘Aiea at least 10 days before arrival for Direct Airport Release in Honolulu — by tracked mail or online through the Hawai‘i Pet Owner Portal (https://hipop.ais.hawaii.gov/). Late papers: higher fee and possibly no release at the airport.

Honolulu (HNL, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport) — no permit needed. Inspection at the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily; flights should land by 3:30 p.m., later arrivals stay overnight. Pets on international flights must first clear U.S. Customs.

Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) to fly directly to Kona (KOA), Kahului (OGG) or Līhu‘e (LIH): a passing FAVN result first; documents, flight details and the USD 165 fee received 30 days or more before arrival; a reservation with one of the approved private veterinary facilities at that airport, which confirms to the Station (their fee is extra). The permit is e-mailed to the owner and must be shown to the airline before boarding. Not all airlines take part.

Airline staff take every pet to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility for inspection. Released only to the owner, co-owner or authorised handler named on AQS-279 (or the consignee), in its crate — pets may not leave the crate on airport property. No airport release if ticks or other parasites are found.

Dogs 90 days or older on arrival: vaccinated against canine distemper, infectious hepatitis (or adenovirus-2), parvovirus, parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough) at least 10 days before arrival and still within the manufacturer's booster interval, certified on the health certificate. Required by the rule (HAR §4-29-8) for every dog entering Hawaii, including by Direct Airport Release; the current checklists do not list these vaccines, so the Station may not check them, but the law does. Leptospirosis is asked only by the 2019 brochure for pets going into quarantine — recommended, not required by the rule.