Dog or cat from Oman to Hawaii (US): official requirements

1. Get ready

   1. VaccinationEntering Hawaii (US)

      Rabies vaccination #1

      Your pet needs certification of at least two rabies vaccinations. This is the first one; documents for the earlier vaccination are required, because with only the most recent vaccination the pet does not qualify.

      Details and the official words

      “Certification of at least two rabies vaccinations is required.”

   2. VaccinationEntering Hawaii (US)

      Rabies vaccination #2 (a booster, more than 30 days before arrival)

      The second rabies vaccination (a booster) must be given no less than 30 days after the previous one, and more than 30 days before your pet arrives in Hawaii.

      Details and the official words

      “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 Hawai‘i.”

   3. Blood testEntering Hawaii (US)

      Rabies antibody blood test (OIE-FAVN) and a 30-day wait

      Your pet needs a passing OIE-FAVN rabies antibody test, and a 30-day wait from the day the laboratory received the blood sample before it arrives. A passing result is valid for 36 months from the day the blood reached the laboratory.

      Details and the official words

      Hawaii's checklists (not readable here) give the pass mark and other details of the test: confirm them with the Animal Quarantine Station.

      “To avoid your animal being placed into quarantine, proof of two rabies vaccinations within the required timeframe and a passing FAVN test are required for all dogs and cats entering the State of Hawai‘i.”

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

2. In the days before you travel

   1. TreatmentEntering Hawaii (US)

      Tick treatment within 14 days before arrival

      Your vet treats your dog or cat with a long-acting oral or topical product labelled to kill ticks (equivalent or better than fipronil) within 14 days before arrival, and the treatment is written on the health certificate. K-9 Advantix is acceptable for dogs only, never for cats; Revolution is not acceptable.

      Details and the official words

      “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.”

   2. PaperworkOman and Hawaii (US)

      Health certificate

      A veterinary health certificate (with the tick treatment on it) goes with your pet. If it can't reach the Animal Quarantine Station with the other documents 10 days before arrival, the original must be handed to the inspector on arrival. Hawaii's pages give no validity period for it: ask the Animal Quarantine Station.

      The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.

      Details and the official words

      Ministry veterinary health certificate for export: Apply to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Wealth and Water Resources for a veterinary health certificate to export your pet (the service is listed on Gov.om for personal accounts). Your pet must show no symptoms of epidemic, contagious or zoonotic animal diseases. The certificate costs 5 rials, and an inspection fee is paid at the port (from 100 baisa to 100 rials). Service time is given as one hour.

      The service is written for any animal shipment and lists documents that don't concern pets (fish quality, catch and CITES certificates). Ask the Veterinary Quarantine Department which documents it wants for a dog or cat.

      The customs portal also has a 'Medical Certificate to Export Animals and Wild Birds' service, but it asks for a company registration and an inspection request two days before the goods arrive at the port: it is written for businesses, so we don't apply it to pets.

      “If the health certificate cannot be sent 10 days before arriving with the rest of the documents, the original must be given to the inspector upon arrival in Hawai‘i.”

      “This service enables you to get a veterinary health certificate to export an animal shipment.”

      “Fees to be paid to receive the certificate”

      “Fees to be paid for inspection at the port (starting from 100 baisa to 100 riyals)”

      “The shipment must be free of any symptoms of epidemic, contagious or common animal diseases”

   3. PaperworkEntering Hawaii (US)

      Dog and Cat Import Form (AQS-279) and documents, at least 10 days before arrival

      Send one completed Dog and Cat Import Form (AQS-279) per pet, with two rabies vaccination certificates, the health certificate and pre-payment, so the Animal Quarantine Station has them at least 10 days before arrival. This qualifies your pet for the 5 Day Or Less program and for direct release at Honolulu airport ($185; $244 if the documents are late). You can apply online through the Hawaii Pet Owner Portal. Arrivals at Kona, Kahului or Līhu'e need a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit.

      Details and the official words

      “NO LESS THAN 10 DAYS BEFORE PET ARRIVES IN HAWAI‘I TO QUALIFY FOR 5 DAY OR LESS or AIRPORT RELEASE”

      “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.”

      “the higher fee of $244 is assessed instead of $185.”

The trip back asks for 9 steps: older than four months, microchip, recorded on the vaccination record, rabies vaccination after 12 weeks of age and rabies vaccination less than 12 months old on arrival and more.

The trip back asks for 9 steps: older than four months, microchip, recorded on the vaccination record, rabies vaccination after 12 weeks of age and rabies vaccination less than 12 months old on arrival and more.