It is the exporter's responsibility to ensure that the animal meets the importing country requirements.

Information about the process required to import animals into the State of Hawaii can be found on the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s website. There is a checklist for pets arriving from Australia.​​

The requirements to import live animals into the State of Hawaii are additional to those of continental United States​ and prospective exporters should also check these.

Note

Where an importing country issues an import permit, the exporter must ensure the animal meets any requirements in the permit.

Some animal breeds are not permitted to enter Hawaii under Plant Quarantine Branch jurisdiction and administrative rules. These include, but are not limited to, non-domestic dogs and cats and hybrids such as wolf, wolf cross, Dingo, Bengal, Savannah.​

As required by the State of Hawaii and continental United States.

There are new importing country requirements for bringing dogs into the United States that apply from 1 August 2024. The new requirements include that all dogs must be healthy upon arrival and at least 6 months of age at time of entry or return to the US.

From 1 August 2024, dogs entering or returning to the US from dog-rabies free or low-risk countries in the past 6 months must meet the entry requirements and complete the CDC Dog Import Form.

You should check the CDC website to confirm if a country is considered dog rabies-free or low-risk, noting that if the country is not listed, the CDC strongly recommends vaccination against rabies, but that the additional requirements for dogs from high-risk countries to enter the United States do not apply.

From 1 August 2024, foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries must meet the entry requirements and complete the CDC Dog Import Form and Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form provided below.

Agreed health certificate for foreign rabies vaccination and microchip:

Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip (DOCX 38 KB | PDF 112 KB)

Note

To be used when Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form is required.

Transport requirements​

The importing country may have specific transport requirements and you should check these.

If your animal is returning to Australia, you should make yourself familiar with the Department of Agriculture's requirements for importing live animals into Australia. This is important as your animal may have been exposed to diseases that do not occur in Australia and you may wish to undertake further preparation in Australia to facilitate your return.

Based on importing country website and information.

Entry last reviewed 18 September 2024.​