BRINGING A CAT FROMUnited Kingdom →to Hawaii

Cats must appear healthy; they are inspected at the port and may be refused or sent for a veterinary examination at the owner's expense if they show signs of a disease transmissible to people.

Transported on the same aircraft from the port of origin to Honolulu; off-loading only to transfer to another aircraft under the direct supervision of the officer in charge, who certifies in writing (name, position, airline, address, phone; date, time, aircraft and flight numbers of both flights) that the animal had no contact with other animals. Container sealed so that removing the animal breaks the seal. An affidavit by the aircraft captain or senior station official that the animal came on one aircraft and was not off-loaded.

Original official health certificate issued within 14 days of transport by a veterinarian holding an appointment as a government officer of the country (or territory) of origin, certifying the animal is free of external parasites and signs of transmissible disease.

Original affidavit by the owner or consignor that the animal was not outside the country of origin in the 6 months before shipment (trips to other exempt areas or Hawaii allowed), with airline, flight number and departure date. From Guam: the Guam affidavit form IC-5.

Honolulu, at the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility during inspection hours (8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. on the checklist); the rule also allows a department-approved neighbour-island port. International flights must clear U.S. Customs first.

Inspected on arrival and may be treated for external parasites; any sign of transmissible disease sends all animals of the shipment into quarantine.

Cats 90 days or older on arrival: vaccinated against feline panleukopenia (feline viral enteritis), feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus-1), feline calicivirus and Chlamydia psittaci (pneumonitis) 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 cat entering Hawaii; not listed on the current checklists.

Cats must appear healthy; they are inspected at the port and may be refused or sent for a veterinary examination at the owner's expense if they show signs of a disease transmissible to people.

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.

implanted before the FAVN blood sample is taken

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).

more than 30 days after the previous vaccine

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.

counted from the day after the lab received the sample

counted from the day after the lab received the sample

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."

The page says "animals requiring a CVI"; pets need a health certificate (CVI), so it is read as applying to dogs and cats. The page gives no start date.

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.

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.

Cats 90 days or older on arrival: vaccinated against feline panleukopenia (feline viral enteritis), feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus-1), feline calicivirus and Chlamydia psittaci (pneumonitis) 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 cat entering Hawaii; not listed on the current checklists.