Flying a dog from the European Union to Hawaii
Scope and research limits · exclusions apply
The State of Hawaii, which sets its own rules for every dog and cat that arrives. This page leaves out one way in for Ireland: “Pets that have lived for 6 months in an exempt area”. Hawaii names the British Isles as an exempt area but no Hawaii source says which places that covers. This page does not cover Ceuta and Melilla. Dogs from a CDC high-risk country follow extra CDC rules this site does not cover yet. This page does not cover Germany. APHIS's dog disease-status table lists Germany as not free of foot-and-mouth disease, but its regions page lists Germany as free and no current import alert names it. We publish neither answer. This page does not cover Canary Islands. APHIS's dog disease-status table lists the Canary Islands as not free of foot-and-mouth disease, but its regions page lists Spain as free and does not say whether that includes the Canary Islands. We publish neither answer.
This guide covers the journey and pathways stated here. Residence, travel history and connections may change which requirements apply. Confirm these before using the countdown.
Conditional: yes, with 7 hard deadlines
A dog must be taken by the airline straight from the plane to the airport quarantine holding facility to enter Hawaii from the European Union.
To meet the entry rules
- an age of at least 6 months on arrival
- a second rabies vaccination more than 30 days after the earlier rabies vaccination
- the most recent rabies vaccination more than 30 days before arrival
- a microchip a universal scanner can read, on or before the blood sample
- blood sample within 36 months before arrival
- a passing FAVN blood test received by the lab at least 30 days before arrival
- documents received by the Animal Quarantine Station more than 10 days before arrival
- an original health certificate within 14 days before arrival
- a tick treatment by a vet within 14 days before arrival
- a CDC Dog Import Form receipt on or before arrival, within 6 months before arrival
- original certificates for both rabies vaccinations
- a FAVN test at an approved lab
- a healthy appearance on arrival
- clean fur and bedding (only from Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria or Romania)
If a requirement is missed: Quarantine for up to 120 days on arrival, or the pet is sent out of the state at the owner's expense.
Full answer
A dog must be taken by the airline straight from the plane to the airport quarantine holding facility to enter Hawaii from the European Union. Without quarantine, it needs a second rabies vaccination more than 30 days after the earlier rabies vaccination, the most recent rabies vaccination more than 30 days before arrival, blood sample within 36 months before arrival and a passing FAVN blood test received by the lab at least 30 days before arrival. Also in the planner below: documents received, microchip, minimum age, import form, tick treatment and vet's signature on the health certificate. Also in the sources below: 5 more requirements. If any is missed: quarantine for up to 120 days. Last verified 24 September 2026.
- Rules allow in cabin
- Airline decidesHawaii does not regulate where in the aircraft a pet flies; that is each airline's policy. The airline must bring every arriving animal straight from the plane to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility.
- Quarantine
- Nonedirect release at Honolulu airport after inspection
- Rabies titer
- Required
- Lead time
- 63 daysHawaii advises 4 months: FAVN test results may be delayed by 1 to 2 months.
Your deadlines, counted back from arrival
7 of these steps are hard deadlines. Each step says how long before arrival it falls. Pick an arrival date and your browser works out the calendar dates; it fetches nothing.
Lead time: 63 days
Pick an arrival date to see the calendar date of each step.
Birth
The calendar moves this: the deadline is 181 to 184 days before arrival, depending on the arrival date.
The dog is at least 6 months old on the day it arrives. Timing: at least 6 months before arrival.
Fails if: Done less than 6 months before arrival.
Earlier rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
The pet has had two rabies vaccinations given more than 30 days apart. Timing: more than 30 days after the earlier rabies vaccination.
Fails if: Done 30 days or less after the earlier rabies vaccination.
The most recent rabies vaccination was given more than 30 days before arrival and has not expired when the pet arrives. Timing: more than 30 days before arrival.
Fails if: Done 30 days or less before arrival.
Microchip
A microchip is implanted before, or when, the blood is taken for the FAVN test. Timing: on or before the blood sample.
Fails if: Done after the blood sample.
Blood sample
The calendar moves this: the earliest day is 1095 to 1096 days before arrival, depending on the arrival date.
Advised: Have the blood drawn on a later day than the rabies vaccination. Drawn at the same visit, the test may fail. Timing: after the rabies vaccination, not on the same day.
The FAVN result is valid for up to 36 months. We count the 36 months from the day the blood was drawn, the earliest of the dates Hawaii uses. Timing: within 36 months before arrival.
For this plan: Hawaii counts the 36 months from the day the lab received the blood in one place and from the date the pretest was sent to the lab in another. We count from the day the blood is drawn, which is never later than either.
Fails if: Done more than 36 months before arrival.
Lab receives the sample
The calendar moves this: the earliest day is 1095 to 1096 days before arrival, depending on the arrival date.
The day after the lab receives the blood sample is at least 30 days before arrival. Timing: at least 30 days before arrival.
For this plan: Hawaii counts the 30 days from the day after the lab receives the sample, so the lab must have it 31 days before arrival.
Fails if: Done less than 30 days before arrival.
Documents received
All documents, including a Dog and Cat Import Form (AQS-279) for each pet, reach the Animal Quarantine Station as a set more than 10 days before arrival in Honolulu. Only the original health certificate may instead be handed to the inspector on arrival. Timing: more than 10 days before arrival.
Fails if: Done 10 days or less before arrival.
Vet signs the health certificate
An original health certificate in English, done within 14 days of arrival in Hawaii. Timing: within 14 days before arrival.
For this plan: Hawaii does not say whether the exam day counts. We count it as day 1, the stricter reading.
Fails if: Done more than 14 days before arrival.
Tick treatment
A vet treats the pet with a long-acting tick product (not Revolution) within 14 days of arrival and records it on the health certificate. Timing: within 14 days before arrival.
For this plan: Hawaii does not say whether the treatment day counts. We count it as day 1, the stricter reading.
Fails if: Done more than 14 days before arrival.
Import form
The calendar moves this: the earliest day is 181 to 184 days before arrival, depending on the arrival date.
The importer submits a complete CDC Dog Import Form before the dog arrives; it can be filled in on the day of travel. Timing: on or before arrival.
Fails if: Done after arrival.
The receipt is valid for 6 months from when it is issued, so the form is submitted no more than 6 months before the dog arrives. A visit to a high-risk country, or to a different low-risk country, in that time needs a new form. Timing: within 6 months before arrival.
Fails if: Done more than 6 months before arrival.
Arrival day
Note: Book a flight that lands in Honolulu by 3:30 p.m. The airline can take up to one hour to bring the pet to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility, and a pet that is not there by 4:30 p.m. is not released at the airport that day. The planner does not check the time of day.
Requirements without a countdown
These conditions still apply. Choosing an arrival date does not check them.
The planner does not check how long the vaccine itself lasts. The most recent vaccination is valid for 12 months with a 1-year licensed vaccine and 36 months with a 3-year licensed vaccine, and the FAVN result counts only while that vaccination is still valid. Ask your vet which licence your pet's vaccine has.
Original certificates for both rabies vaccinations, signed in ink by a licensed vet, each listing the vaccine name, lot or serial number, booster interval, vaccination date and vaccine lot expiration date.
Fails if: A certificate is a copy, is not signed in ink, or leaves out the lot or serial number, booster interval or lot expiration date.
The FAVN blood test is done at an approved lab (Auburn University, Kansas State University, the University of Missouri or the DOD Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory in Texas), and the result is 0.5 IU/ml or more.
Fails if: The test was run at a lab not on the list, or the result is below 0.5 IU/ml.
A pet that goes into quarantine and arrives on a Thursday or Friday may not be moved to a satellite quarantine station or approved hospital on a neighbor island until the following Monday, because inter-island service is limited at the weekend.
This page plans an arrival in Honolulu. Flying directly into Kona, Kahului or Lihue also needs a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit, and its documents must reach the Animal Quarantine Station 30 days or more before arrival.
A pet on an international flight must clear U.S. Customs before it is released. Check with the airline that Customs will be open to process the pet.
This assumes the dog has been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries in the past 6 months.
This also assumes the dog does not clear customs during a layover in a high-risk country. If it does, it must meet CDC's high-risk rules, wherever its trip began.
This covers pet dogs. Dogs imported for resale or adoption follow APHIS Animal Care rules.
This assumes the dog will not be used to handle sheep or other livestock. Such a dog is inspected and held at the port of entry until it is shown to be free of tapeworm.
The dog has a microchip that a universal scanner can read.
Fails if: No microchip, or one a universal scanner cannot detect.
The dog must appear healthy on arrival and is inspected at the port of entry.
Fails if: Signs of a communicable disease when the dog is inspected on arrival.
The regulation also tells airlines to refuse boarding unless the importer shows documentation that the dog is over six months old, has a microchip and has been only in low-risk or rabies-free countries for the last six months. CDC's own pages name the Dog Import Form receipt as the only document required.
CDC strongly recommends a rabies vaccination, but the extra rules for dogs from high-risk countries do not apply.
The dog's fur and bedding are free of excessive dirt, hay or straw. On arrival it is bathed and kept away from all livestock for 5 days. No document is needed. Applies only from Greece, Cyprus, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria or Romania.
Fails if: Fur or bedding with excessive dirt, hay or straw.
CDC does not require a general health certificate, but some states and airlines do.
Destination entry documents do not establish compliance with the departure country's rules. Confirm national departure documents with that member state's veterinary authority before booking. This shared EU planner has not researched every national export procedure.
Leaving Spain for a country outside the EU, the owner meets that country's requirements. Spain's agriculture ministry issues the certificates needed through its Agriculture Areas (Áreas de Agricultura). Applies only from Spain.
This plan assumes one air journey, with every step done before you leave. Unless you give a departure date, it assumes you leave the day before arrival or on arrival day. Times are local to Hawaii (Pacific/Honolulu).
Which airlines carry dogs on this route
No airline in our sources carries this route yet.
2 changes recorded since
Dates are when a change took effect. Some took effect before our log began; we recorded them afterwards.
Foot-and-mouth disease conditions for dogs from Greece
- Was
- No APHIS foot-and-mouth disease restrictions on Greece.
- Now
- Dogs from Greece need clean fur and bedding and are kept away from livestock for five days after entry.
Source: USDA APHIS VS · found at our first read
Foot-and-mouth disease conditions for dogs from Cyprus
- Was
- No APHIS foot-and-mouth disease restrictions on Cyprus.
- Now
- Dogs from Cyprus need clean fur and bedding and are kept away from livestock for five days after entry.
Source: USDA APHIS VS · found at our first read
Where every rule above came from
- eCFR (Office of the Federal Register / GPO)ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-09-22/title-42.xmlImport form; Birth; The dog must appear healthy on arrival and is inspected at the port of entry; The regulation also tells airlines to refuse boarding unless the importer shows…; and 3 more
- eCFR (Office of the Federal Register / GPO)ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-09-22/title-9.xmlThis assumes the dog will not be used to handle sheep or other livestock
- Official Journal of the European Union (Publications Office CELLAR; EUR-Lex ELI http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/131/oj)publications.europa.eu/resource/cellar/12bce2c0-297f-11f1-8803-01aa75ed71a1.0006.03/DOC_1No EU-wide exit procedure is published; each destination's own rules apply
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/dog-imports-country-disease-status.csvAPHIS's dog disease-status table lists Germany as not free of foot-and-mouth disease…; APHIS's dog disease-status table lists the Canary Islands as not free of foot-and-mouth…
- USDA APHISaphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import/dogsThis covers pet dogs; The dog's fur and bedding are free of excessive dirt, hay or straw
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/index.htmlCDC does not require a general health certificate, but some states and airlines do
- CDC (US)cdc.gov/importation/dogs/high-risk-countries.htmlCDC strongly recommends a rabies vaccination, but the extra rules for dogs from…; Dogs from a CDC high-risk country follow extra CDC rules this site does not cover yet
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/importation/php/dog-importation-airlines/index.htmlImport form
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/importation/dogs/faqs.htmlThe dog has a microchip that a universal scanner can read
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/importation/dogs/dog-import-form-instructions.htmlA dog may fly to the United States in the cabin, as checked baggage in the hold, or as…; Import form
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/importation/dogs/layovers.htmlThis also assumes the dog does not clear customs during a layover in a high-risk country
- CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)cdc.gov/importation/dogs/rabies-free-low-risk-countries.htmlThis assumes the dog has been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries in the past…; A dog may fly to the United States in the cabin, as checked baggage in the hold, or as…; Import form; The dog has a microchip that a universal scanner can read; and 2 more
- European Commission (DG SANTE, Food Safety)food.ec.europa.eu/animals/live-animal-movements/dogs-cats-and-ferrets/listing-territories-and-non-eu-countries_enNo EU-wide exit procedure is published; each destination's own rules apply
- European Commission (DG SANTE, food.ec.europa.eu)food.ec.europa.eu/animals/live-animal-movements/dogs-cats-and-ferrets/eu-countries-specific-information_enDestination entry documents do not establish compliance with the departure country's rules; Leaving Spain for a country outside the EU, the owner meets that country's requirements
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture (Rabies Quarantine Branch)dab.hawaii.gov/ai/files/2019/08/AQS-39_8.21.2019.pdfMicrochip; Rabies vaccination; Blood sample
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture (Animal Quarantine Station)dab.hawaii.gov/ai/files/2023/06/Checklist-1-06.13.2023.pdfRabies vaccination; Original certificates for both rabies vaccinations, signed in ink by a licensed vet…; The FAVN blood test is done at an approved lab (Auburn University, Kansas State…; Documents received; and 6 more
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture (Animal Quarantine Station)dab.hawaii.gov/ai/files/2024/01/Checklist-2_01.17.2024.pdfRabies vaccination; The FAVN blood test is done at an approved lab (Auburn University, Kansas State…; Lab receives the sample; Blood sample; This page plans an arrival in Honolulu
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Animal Quarantine Branch)dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/faq-for-animal-quarantineHawaii does not regulate where in the aircraft a pet flies; that is each airline's policy; Rabies vaccination; Direct release at Honolulu airport costs $185 per pet, paid by cashier's check or money…
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Animal Quarantine Branch)dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/faq-for-five-day-or-less-programHawaii does not regulate where in the aircraft a pet flies; that is each airline's policy; Blood sample
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Animal Industry Division, Animal Quarantine Branch)dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqsPets that have lived for 6 months in an exempt area
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Animal Quarantine Branch)dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/aqs-infoDirect airport release (5 Day Or Less program); A dog or cat that meets every pre- and post-arrival requirement is released directly at…; Rabies vaccination; Documents received; and 7 more
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Animal Quarantine Branch)dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/animal-quarantine-microchip-searchRabies vaccination; Blood sample
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture (news release NR18-12, on dab.hawaii.gov)dab.hawaii.gov/blog/main/nr18-12-newaqsrules8-22-18Rabies vaccination; Lab receives the sample
- Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (Spain)mapa.gob.es/es/ganaderia/temas/comercio-exterior-ganadero/desplazamiento-animales-compania/default.aspxLeaving Spain for a country outside the EU, the owner meets that country's requirements
- European Union (Your Europe portal, European Commission)europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/pets-and-other-animals/index_en.htmNo EU-wide exit procedure is published; each destination's own rules apply
Rules change without notice. Confirm each item against the linked official page before you book: we date every check, but the official page is the authority.
Related pages
See everything that applies in Hawaii, or what changed across the site.