Traveling and Shipping from the U.S. Mainland to Hawai‘i

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

Agricultural items imported into Hawai‘i  require an inspection before entry.  Agricultural items include all plants, plant parts (includes fruits, vegetables, cut flowers/foliage), animals (such as  dogs, cats, live fish, live seafood, etc.) microorganism cultures, soil, and related containers and packing materials holding the agricultural materials.

Traveling from the U.S. Mainland to Hawai‘i:

  • All agricultural items must be declared on the “Plants and Animals Declaration Form,” which is distributed and collected by flight attendants prior to landing in Hawai‘i.
  • All agricultural items must be presented for inspection at the Agricultural Inspection Counter located near the exits in the baggage claim area.
  • All plant material must be free of soil, insect pests and signs of disease.

Shipping from the U.S. Mainland to Hawai‘i:

  • Parcels must be marked on the outside with words to this effect: “Contains Agricultural Material – May Be Opened for Inspection.”
  • All plant material must be free of soil, insect pests and signs of disease.
  • A manifest/list of the type of plant material must be included in the parcel.

RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED ITEMS:

If you have questions regarding the import status of any plant or animal, please contact the Plant Quarantine Branch at (808) 832-0566.

IMPORTING PLANTS/PLANT PARTS TO HAWAI‘I

Most plants and plant parts are permitted into the State after inspection, provided they are found to be free of insects, diseases, soil, or other pests.

Restricted plant material:  The following cannot be imported into the state without prior arrangements for permits, quarantines, treatments, or certification as applicable:

  • Pineapple plants, seeds, or fruit
  • Bromeliad plants (any plant in the family Bromeliaceae)
  • Passion fruit plants, fruits, and seeds
  • Cruciferous root vegetables (radish, turnip, daikon, horseradish, rutabaga)
  • Corn plants, plant parts, or corn on the cob
  • Citrus and pulpy fruits from Florida & Puerto Rico
  • Taro and dasheen
  • All coconut plants or plant parts
  • Banana plants and plant parts, except fruit
  • Orchid plants (any plant in the family Orchidaceae)
  • Grass plants, including fresh cut plant parts (any plant in the family Poaceae, such as  sugar cane or bamboo)
  • Coffee plants, plant parts, seeds, and green coffee beans for roasting. 
  • Palm plants
  • Aster, chrysanthemum, hollyhock, dahlia and gladiolus plants
  • Pine plants and parts (any plant in the genus Pinus).  Cut branches are allowed during the period of Oct. 20 to Dec. 31.
  • Sorghum, broomcorn and sudan grass
  • Myrtle plants, plant parts, and seeds (any plant in the family Myrtaceae, such as Eucalyptus, guava, or bottlebrush)

To view the administrative rules regarding the importation of the aforementioned plants (Chapter 70 – Plant Import Rules), click here or contact the Plant Quarantine Branch at (808) 832-0566 for the specific importation requirements.

FOOD PRODUCTS

In general, foods that are cooked, canned, frozen or commercially processed and/or packaged are allowed to be transported to Hawai‘i, as long as the product is arriving from within the U.S.

Frozen or chilled meats are also allowed to be transported to Hawai‘i as long as the meat originated from within the U.S.

Manufactured food products are not required to be declared or inspected.

IMPORTING ANIMALS TO HAWAI‘I

Hawai‘i has strict importing regulations for animals.

To view the webpage on Importing Animals to Hawai‘i, click here.