FAQ for Five-Day-or-Less Program

UPDATED 10/2018

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 5 DAY OR LESS QUARANTINE PROGRAM

  1. What do I need to do to qualify my pet for the 5 Day Or Less quarantine program?
  2. What if my pet is not able to complete the 30-day pre-arrival waiting period prior to arriving in Hawaii?
  3. If I arrive before the 30-day waiting period is completed on the mainland, can my pet be released when the waiting period is completed in Hawaii?
  4. Do I have to submit original documents prior to my pet’s arrival or can I bring the documents with me to the airport?
  5. Do I need to register with an approved veterinary hospital, as indicated on Form AQS-279 Dog & Cat Import Form, if I am qualifying my pet for direct release?
  6. What do we do once our plane lands?
  7. How long does it take to process a pet for direct release at the airport?
  8. I will not be traveling with the pet. Can I designate someone to pick up my pet from the airport if it qualifies for direct release?
  9. If I am not able to pick up my pet at the airport, will you hold my pet?
  10. I am a resident of Hawaii and want to take my pet out of the state on vacation. Do I have to complete the same requirements as pets arriving from the mainland?
  11. Why are rabies vaccinations required for Hawaii pets under the 5 Day Or Less rules?
  12. What if I am not able to obtain documents verifying the first rabies vaccination?
  13. Does my cat/dog need to be treated for parasites?
  14. How long is the OIE-FAVN blood test valid?
  15. Can we pay the fees at the airport?
  16. How does a pet qualify for the lower re-entry fees?

 

ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  1. What do I need to do to qualify my pet for the 5 Day Or Less quarantine program?Return to top
    Checklists are available to assist pet owners in qualifying the pets for the 5 Day Or Less program, including the provisions for direct release at the airport. Find the appropriate checklist for your situation at the Animal Quarantine Information Page.

2. What if my pet is not able to complete the 30-day pre-arrival waiting period prior to arriving in Hawaii?Return to top
Pets arriving in Hawaii prior to completing the 30-day waiting period will not qualify for direct airport release. All pets arriving before the eligible date of entry will be quarantined and assessed $14.30 each day in addition to applicable program fees (usually $244). Providing all other requirements for the 5 Day Or Less program are met, the pet will be able to qualify for release under the 5 Day Or Less program on the date the pet completes the 30-day waiting period.

3. If my pet arrives before the 30-day waiting period is completed outside the state of Hawaii, can my pet be released when the waiting period is completed in Hawaii?Return to top
Providing all other requirements for the 5 Day Or Less program are in compliance, the pet will then qualify to enter the 5 Day Or Less program on the eligible entry date. (See FAQ 2)

4. Do I have to submit original documents prior to my pet’s arrival or can I just bring the documents with me to the airport?Return to top
If you seek direct release of the pet at the airport, you must submit the required original documents so that the office receives the paperwork at least 10 days prior to your pet’s arrival. Only the health certificate may arrive with the pet, due to the time constraints. If you do not submit original documents ahead of time, it can prevent your pet from being released at the airport and the higher fee of $244 is assessed instead of $185. In addition, if there is a discrepancy in the paperwork, missing documents, or external parasites are found on your pet, your pet will not be released at the airport and your pet will be transferred to the main Animal Quarantine Station until all requirements have been met.

5. Do I need to register with an approved veterinary hospital, as indicated on Form AQS-279 Dog & Cat Import Form, if I am qualifying my pet for direct release?Return to top
If you are qualifying your pet for direct release, you do not need to register with an approved veterinary hospital. However, if your pet must be held for any significant time, you must register with an approved animal hospital.

6. What do we do once our plane lands?Return to top
The airline is responsible for bringing all arriving animals to our Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility (AAQHF). Pets allowed to fly in the passenger cabin will be taken by airline personnel upon landing and will be transported to the AAQHF. Pets qualifying for direct release will be processed at the facility, which is located on the Ewa Service Road that runs between the Interisland Terminal and the Main Terminal.  Map to AAQHF

7. How long does it take to process a pet for direct release at the airport?Return to top
Processing times vary, depending on how long it takes your airline to deliver the pet to our facility and the number of pets arriving for inspection at the same time. In some cases, the airline may take up to one hour or more to deliver a pet to our facility for processing. Generally, we are able to process pets within an hour from the time the pet is received at our facility. However, If you do not submit original documents ahead of time or problems with paperwork will significantly increase processing time. Priority is given to pet owners who properly submitted their paperwork. If you are booking connecting flights, it is recommended that you allow at least 4 to 5 hours.

8. I will not be traveling with the pet. Can I designate someone to pick up my pet from the airport if it qualifies for direct release?Return to top
You may designate someone as your agent to pick up your pet from the airport for you. There are two ways you may do this:

    • You must list that person’s name on the Form AQS-279 Dog and Cat Import Form and on the Shipmaster’s Declaration Form that is required by the airline. Pets will not be released to anyone that is not listed on those forms. ID will be required. Or,
    • You may also submit a notarized letter stating that your pet may be released to a specific individual

 

9.  If I am not able to pick up my pet at the airport, will you hold my pet?Return to top
Pets that are not directly released under the 5 Day Or Less program will be taken to the main Animal Quarantine Station in Halawa Valley. If a pet stays between 0 and 5 days, the cost will be $244. Fees for any additional days will be charged at $17.80 per day.

10. I am a resident of Hawaii and want to take my pet out of the state on vacation. Do I have to complete the same requirements as pets arriving from the mainland?Return to top
Pets originating in Hawaii must complete the requirements outlined in the Checklist 3 – Only for Dogs and Cats Located in Hawaii that are Departing and Returning for Direct Airport Release and the 5 Day Or Less Program for Honolulu entry;

or

Checklist 4 Only for Dogs and Cats Located in Hawaii that are Departing and Requesting Direct Airport Release at Kona, Kahului, and Lihue Airports on Return for entry at neighbor island airports.

    1. Two rabies vaccinations are required not less than 30 days apart, with the most recent vaccination not less than 14 days before departures from Hawaii.While a pet does not have to stay outside of Hawaii for 30 days, the OIE-FAVN rabies blood test must be passed not less than 14 days before departure from Hawaii.
      WARNING: DUE TO VARIABILITY IN THE TIME A TESTING LABORATORY MAY TAKE TO COMPLETE A TEST, IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE TEST BE DONE WELL IN ADVANCE OF DEPARTURE AND THAT YOU VERIFY YOUR PET HAS PASSED THE TEST PRIOR TO LEAVING THE STATE. WITHOUT A PASSING TEST RESULT AND REQUIRED VACCINATIONS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, A PET WILL BE QUARANTINED FOR UP TO 120 DAYS UPON RETURN.

 

11. Why are rabies vaccinations required for Hawaii pets under the 5 Day Or Less rules?Return to top

While Hawaii is rabies free. If you plan to take your pet to an area where rabies is endemic, vaccinations will help to protect your pet from possible rabies exposure.

12.  What if I am not able to obtain documents verifying the first rabies vaccination?Return to top

Certification of at least two rabies vaccinations is required. If your pet has documentation for only the most recent vaccination, it will not qualify for the 5 Day Or Less quarantine program. To qualify, your pet will need to receive a booster no less than 30 days after the previous vaccination. In addition, this second vaccination must be given more than 30 days before arrival in Hawaii.(For pets already located in Hawaii, the second vaccine must be administered no less than 30 days after the previous vaccination and more than 14 days before departure from Hawaii.)

13.   Does my cat/dog need to be treated for parasites?Return to top

Dogs and cats must be treated by your veterinarian with a long-acting oral or topical product labeled to kill ticks that is equivalent or better than Fipronil within 14 days prior to arrival and the treatment must be documented on the health certificate.K-9 Advantix® is an acceptable treatment for DOGS ONLY, DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT ON CATS. However, Revolution® IS NOT an acceptable treatment. You should always consult with your veterinarian prior to application of flea/tick products on your pet. List of acceptable tick treatments.

14.   How long is the OIE-FAVN blood test valid?Return to top

The OIE-FAVN test result is valid for 36 months from the day the blood was received at the laboratory.

15.  Can we pay the fees at the airport?Return to top

You may pay the fees at the airport by VISA, Mastercard, travelers check or cash. For faster processing at the airport, payment by cashier’s check or money order may be sent in more than 10 days prior to the pet’s arrival. Payment must be made in the exact amount and submitted with Form AQS-279 Dog and Cat Import Form to ensure proper credit.

16.  How does a pet qualify for the lower re-entry fees?Return to top

Please refer to the requirements listed for qualifications under “Re-Entry Fee Requirements” or click here to link to the webpage.