Animal Guidelines

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine Branch regulates the importation of non-domestic animals (any animal not considered to be domesticated and common in Hawaii).

Domesticated animals are those animals bred for the purpose of living near or about the habitations of humans.  Examples of domesticated animals include:  dogs, cats, cattle, swine, poultry and birds, sheep and horses.  Domesticated animals are regulated by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s Animal Industry Division. For more information on guidelines for importing domesticated animals select either: “Rabies Quarantine for Dogs and Cats” or “Importing Livestock to Hawaii.”

Some non-domestic animals are allowed into the State while others are not. Link to Plant Quarantine Non-Domestic and Microorganism List for more information or contact PQ with questions at (808) 832-0566 or (808) 837-8413.

For example, the following are prohibited from entry or possession by private individuals in the State.

  • Alligators
  • Bearded dragon lizards
  • Bees (alive or dead)
  • Bulbuls
  • Coconut crabs
  • Electric catfishes
  • Ferrets
  • Gerbils
  • Geckos
  • Hamsters
  • Hermit crabs
  • Land snails
  • Lion fishesLion fish
  • Lories
  • Monk parakeets
  • Piranhas
  • Snakes
  • Snapping turtles
  • Toucanstoucan