Moving to Hawaii With a Dog: Timeline, Costs and Getting There
Moving to Hawaii with a dog is one of the most demanding pet moves in the US. Hawaii is rabies free, and it protects that status with some of the strictest import rules anywhere. Get the paperwork right and your dog can be released to you at the airport. Miss a step and your dog can face quarantine of up to 120 days.
The catch is time. The required blood test and waiting periods mean you need to start months before the move, often before you've even booked the flight. This guide walks through the timeline, how to get your dog there, what it costs, and what happens when you land.
For the full list of entry requirements, see our guide to Hawaii's quarantine-free pathway.
Which airlines will take your pet?
Cabin, hold or cargo — by route, breed and weight.
Your timeline, counted back from move day
Work backwards from the day your dog lands in Hawaii.
Can my pet fly?
The earliest date your pet can travel, and what to do when.
No sign-up, no email. Answers stay in your browser. Open the full tool
When | What happens | |
4–6 months before | Check the microchip scans, and confirm your dog has two rabies vaccinations on record. If not, start now: the two shots must be at least 30 days apart, with the most recent more than 30 days before arrival. | |
3–4 months before | Your vet draws blood for the FAVN rabies antibody test. Put "HAWAII" as the destination so the lab sends results straight to the state. | |
After the lab receives the sample | A 30-day waiting period starts the day after the lab receives it. Your dog can't arrive until it ends. | |
6–8 weeks before | Book flights and your dog's spot, cabin or cargo. Arrange a health certificate visit with your vet. | |
At least 10 days before (Honolulu) | Your documents and fees must reach the Animal Quarantine Station. For direct release on a neighbor island, they must arrive at least 30 days before. | |
Final days | Health certificate exam, a tick check, and a final microchip scan. |
Puppies need extra time. Because of the vaccination and test sequence, most puppies are about 6 months old before they can qualify for quarantine-free entry.
Getting your dog to Hawaii
Flying in the cabin. Small dogs that fit under the seat can travel with you on some airlines. Check our Hawaiian Airlines pet policy guide for its rules. Note that Southwest doesn't fly pets to Hawaii.
Flying as cargo. Larger dogs fly in the hold in an airline-approved crate. Airlines restrict cargo in hot months and often refuse snub-nosed breeds, so check before booking.
Using a pet relocation company. A shipper handles flights, crates and timing, and often the paperwork. It costs more, but it's worth considering if you're moving from abroad, have more than one pet, or can't fly on the same day. When choosing one, ask:
How many Hawaii moves they handle each year.
Whether they're USDA-registered and members of IPATA, the industry association for pet shippers.
Who submits your documents to the Animal Quarantine Station, and who's responsible if something is late.
Time the arrival for Honolulu if you want the simplest route. Direct Airport Release is done at Honolulu airport, and neighbor islands need a separate inspection permit.
What it costs
State fees (uPack's breakdown of Hawaii fees):
Fee | Amount per pet | |
Direct Airport Release, Honolulu | $185 | |
Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (direct release in Kona, Kaua'i or Maui) | $165 | |
5-Day-or-Less program | $244 | |
120-day quarantine | $1,080 |
On top of state fees, budget for vet visits, two rabies vaccinations if needed, the FAVN test, a health certificate, the airline fee or cargo charge, an airline-approved crate, and a pet relocation company if you use one. The cheapest move is the one that qualifies for direct release first time.
Arrival day
At Honolulu, an inspector scans your dog's microchip, checks the documents and examines your dog. Two things can stop direct release on the spot:
A microchip that can't be read. Your dog won't qualify for direct release or the 5-Day-or-Less program and will go into quarantine.
Ticks or other parasites. Dogs found with them don't qualify for direct airport release.
Plan for some waiting time at the airport, and bring copies of every document you sent ahead.
Plan the move with a checklist for your exact trip
Pet Holiday Club builds a checklist for your route, with lead times counted back from your travel date. Upload your dog's documents and it flags anything missing, so you know months ahead whether your dog is on track for direct release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hawaii rabies free?
Yes. Hawaii is rabies free, which is why every dog and cat entering the state must meet strict import rules.
How long does it take to move a dog to Hawaii?
Plan for at least four months if your dog needs vaccinations and the FAVN test. If both rabies vaccinations and a passing FAVN result are already on file, it can be shorter, but the documents still have to arrive at least 10 days before your dog does.
Will my dog have to go into quarantine?
Not if all requirements are met. Dogs that qualify can be released at Honolulu airport. Dogs that don't can face quarantine of up to 120 days.
Can my dog fly to a neighbor island directly?
Yes, with a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit, available for Kona, Kaua'i and Maui. The documents need to arrive at least 30 days before your dog.
Further reading on Pet Holiday Club
See more from Pet Holiday Club on Google
Pick us as a preferred source and our pet travel updates show up first in your Google results.
