Bringing a dog or cat from France to Hawaii
Under Hawaii's rules, pets from France are in the group “All other origins (US mainland and other countries)”. A dog from France needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine, a rabies titer test and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. Plan for about 3 months (90 days) from the first vaccine to arrival.
About Hawaii: Hawaii is rabies-free and one of the hardest US destinations: dogs and cats need 2 rabies vaccines, a microchip, a passing FAVN blood test and a 30-day wait to qualify for release at the airport or within 5 days. Any mistake means up to 120 days' quarantine. Federal CDC dog rules still apply when arriving from abroad.
All other origins (US mainland and other countries) Blood test
- Titer test
- Required
- Wait after blood test
- 30 days
- Import permit
- Not required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
Minimum preparation: about 3 months (90 days) from the first rabies vaccine to arrival.
Step by step
Microchip before the blood test
The microchip must be implanted before the FAVN blood draw. A pet whose chip cannot be scanned on arrival goes into 120-day quarantine.
Give two rabies vaccines
Give at least 2 rabies vaccines in the pet's lifetime, more than 30 days apart. The latest one must be given more than 30 days before arrival and must still be valid on arrival.
Do the OIE-FAVN test
Send blood to an approved lab (Kansas State University, the DoD Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory, or Auburn University per the 2019 brochure) with 'Hawaii' as the destination. The result must be 0.5 IU/ml or higher. RFFIT tests are not accepted.
Wait 30 days
Arrive no earlier than 30 days after the day the lab received the sample. Early arrivals are held at $14.30 per day plus fees.
Treat for ticks and get a health certificate
Within 14 days before arrival, a vet gives a long-acting tick treatment (fipronil or equivalent; Revolution is not accepted) and issues a health certificate in English. The certificate must also state that the animal is free of screwworm.
Send documents 10 days ahead
Send the original AQS-279 form, two original rabies certificates and the fee so they reach the Animal Quarantine Station at least 10 days before arrival. You can also apply online through the Hawaii Pet Owner Portal (HIPOP).
Choose an airport
Honolulu (HNL) needs no permit. Arrive by 3:30 pm. Kona, Kahului and Lihue need a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit and a booking with an approved vet clinic.
Same-day release at the airport if all rules are met and documents arrive 10+ days ahead. Otherwise release within 5 days at the Halawa station. Up to 120 days' quarantine if any requirement is missed.
Good to know
- Cats
- Same as dogs. Hybrid cats such as Bengal and Savannah are prohibited.
- Banned breeds
- Wolf and wolf hybrids, Dingo, Bengal cat, Savannah cat, Other non-domestic dogs/cats and hybrids
- How many pets
- Not specified
- Parasite treatment
- Long-acting tick treatment (fipronil or equivalent; Revolution not accepted) within 14 days before arrival, recorded on the health certificate. Pets with ticks on arrival lose airport release.
- Arrival
- Honolulu (HNL) direct airport release, inspections 8:30 am-4:30 pm. Kona (KOA), Kahului (OGG) and Lihue (LIH) need a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit. Cabin travel into Hawaii is airline-dependent.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from France to Hawaii?
France counts as "All other origins (US mainland and other countries)" for Hawaii. Starting from a pet with no rabies vaccine, the minimum is about 3 months (90 days): rabies vaccine, a blood test at least 30 days later, then the waiting period before arrival.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from France to Hawaii?
Yes. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccine, and the pet can arrive 30 days after the sample.
Will my pet be quarantined in Hawaii?
Not if every rule is met. Same-day release at the airport if all rules are met and documents arrive 10+ days ahead. Otherwise release within 5 days at the Halawa station. Up to 120 days' quarantine if any requirement is missed.
Do I need an import permit?
No import permit is needed for pets from France.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Same as dogs. Hybrid cats such as Bengal and Savannah are prohibited.
Sources
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Hawaii pet import rules.