Where is your pet going?
Pick a destination and date. Get a dated checklist from official USDA rules.
Plan your pet’s trip
Every US state and territory, plus every country USDA APHIS publishes requirements for. We work backward from your arrival date. Hawaii guide ↓
Why pet travel paperwork goes wrong
Most travel problems come from timing, not missing documents. A rabies vaccine given before the microchip doesn’t count. A UK certificate endorsed 11 days before landing is invalid. A Hawaii blood test drawn too late can mean up to 120 days of quarantine. This planner puts every deadline on the calendar so nothing slips. International requirements come from USDA APHIS Pet Travel, and for Hawaii, from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity.
Taking your dog or cat to Hawaii
Hawaii is rabies-free, and it protects that status with the strictest pet entry rules in the US. USDA APHIS doesn’t set the rules for travel between states; Hawaii’s Animal Quarantine Station does. Every dog and cat, including puppies and kittens, must qualify for the 5 Day or Less program or face up to 120 days of quarantine. If you do it right, your pet is released to you at the airport the same day.
- Microchip (ISO, 15-digit) before the blood test.
- Two rabies vaccines in your pet’s lifetime, at least 30 days apart. The most recent must be current and at least 30 days before arrival.
- OIE-FAVN blood test that passes (0.5 IU/mL or higher), with “HAWAII” listed as the destination on the lab form. Then a 30-day wait before arrival.
- Import form AQS-279, both rabies certificates, and fees, received by the state at least 10 days before a Honolulu arrival (or 30 days for Kona, Kahului, or Lihue). You can apply online through the Hawaii Pet Owner Portal.
- Health certificate within 14 days of arrival, now including a New World screwworm inspection statement, plus an approved long-acting tick treatment within 14 days.
- Land in Honolulu by 3:30 PM (inspections end at 4:30 PM), or book an approved vet to meet you at a neighbor island airport.
Hawaii state fees (paid to Hawaii, not to us): direct airport release in Honolulu is $185 when your documents arrive 10+ days early and $244 when they don’t. Neighbor island direct release is $165 plus the local vet’s fee. The 5 Day or Less program is $244.
Start early. Hawaii is currently warning that FAVN labs are running 1 to 2 months behind. We recommend drawing the blood test at least 3 months before a Honolulu trip and 4 months before a neighbor island trip. Wolf hybrids and hybrid cats such as Bengals and Savannahs are not allowed into Hawaii at all.
At Paw Priority: FAVN test $442.85, health certificate $275, rabies vaccine $52 for dogs or $79 for cats, microchip $70. We know the Hawaii forms and will map your timeline at the first visit.
Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands
Puerto Rico: microchip on or before the rabies shot, rabies at least 30 days before entry for dogs, a health certificate within 10 days, and flea, tick, and worm treatment within 72 hours of arrival. US Virgin Islands: a health certificate within 10 days and current rabies (or a passing FAVN within 12 months), emailed to the USVI Department of Agriculture at least 1 business day before arrival. Guam: rabies-free with up to 120 days of quarantine; an entry permit, microchip, and FAVN test are required, and strong titers can shorten quarantine. Start months ahead.
How we handle travel certificates
Book your travel exam about 10 days before you leave. Every health certificate starts with an exam, and we do it roughly 10 days ahead so there is time for USDA endorsement, any corrections, and shipping if needed. A few destinations (Mexico, for one) want the certificate signed closer to the date; the planner shows your exact window. If your destination needs blood work, like Australia, Japan, Hawaii, or any country that requires a rabies titer, the process starts months sooner.
Dr. Ameis is USDA-accredited and handles domestic and international health certificates, including mobile visits at your home. We submit certificates for USDA endorsement electronically through APHIS’s VEHCS system and schedule your visit so endorsement comes back before you fly. Domestic certificates are $275; international certificates are $480 (overnight FedEx not included when required). See all prices.
Common questions
How far in advance should I start planning pet travel?
Book the travel exam itself about 10 days before you leave, even for simple domestic trips. For the UK, EU, Canada, or Mexico, start planning at least a month ahead. Plan on 3 to 4 months for Hawaii, especially while FAVN labs are delayed, at least 6 to 7 months for Australia, and at least 7 months for Japan because of its 180-day wait after the rabies blood test.
How do I avoid quarantine in Hawaii?
Qualify for Hawaii’s 5 Day or Less program: an ISO microchip, two rabies vaccines at least 30 days apart, a passing FAVN blood test followed by a 30-day wait, the AQS-279 form and fees received at least 10 days before a Honolulu arrival, a health certificate and tick treatment within 14 days, and a flight landing by 3:30 PM. Pets that qualify are released at the airport the same day.
Does my pet need a rabies titer (FAVN) to travel from the US?
Not for the UK, EU, Canada, or Mexico. Hawaii and Japan require it, as do several rabies-free countries such as Australia and New Zealand. At Paw Priority the test is $442.85.
What changed for dogs going to Mexico in 2026?
Since August 3, 2026, dogs entering Mexico from the US need a New World screwworm inspection certificate signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian no more than 5 days before entry. It does not need USDA endorsement. Cats still need no paperwork. Dogs returning to the US from Mexico must also meet APHIS screwworm rules.
Can you do the travel certificate at my home?
Yes. Dr. Ameis offers mobile health certificate visits. See our travel certificates page.
What do I need to bring my dog back into the US?
CDC requires dogs entering the US to be at least 6 months old, microchipped, and to have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Dogs that visited a country CDC lists as high risk for rabies need extra USDA-endorsed paperwork completed before leaving.
Let us handle the paperwork.
USDA-accredited, mobile visits available, endorsement handled. Paw Priority, 8020 Melrose Ave.
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