Hawaii is the one U.S. move where a single missed date can put your dog or cat in quarantine for up to 120 days. We plan the whole sequence, book the flight, and fly your pet from the mainland through our SEA-TAC and LAX gateways — so they can go home with you the day they land.
Across The Pond Pets operates from two of the busiest mainland gateways to the islands: Seattle-Tacoma (SEA-TAC) and Los Angeles (LAX). Families across Washington, Oregon, California, and the rest of the mainland route through us for Honolulu, Maui, Kona, and Kauai. We manage the vaccine and FAVN timing, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) paperwork, the airline booking, and the arrival — one coordinator from first call to release.
Not sure where to start? Schedule a free consultation and we’ll give you a dated plan and your earliest possible arrival.
Mainland to Hawaii Pet Transport from Our SEA-TAC and LAX Gateways
We pick up at your home, prepare your pet at our gateway, and handle drop-off at the airline cargo facility. If you live elsewhere on the mainland, we connect your pet to SEA-TAC or LAX with our domestic ground and air network.
Seattle (SEA-TAC) to Hawaii
Serving Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, and the Pacific Northwest, including military families at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Our team is based in the region and handles pickup, crate fitting, and cargo check-in at SEA-TAC.
About our SEA-TAC serviceLos Angeles (LAX) to Hawaii
Serving Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and all of Southern California, including military families at Camp Pendleton and the San Diego naval bases. LAX has more nonstop options to the islands than any other mainland airport we work with.
About our LAX serviceWhat We Handle for Your Mainland to Hawaii Move
Hawaii’s rules are public, but the order and timing are where moves go wrong. Every Hawaii booking includes:
A dated plan built backward from your moveWe work out the latest dates for each vaccine, the blood draw, and the document deadline so nothing lands a day late.
Microchip and rabies vaccine reviewWe check your pet’s existing records against Hawaii’s rules before you spend money on anything new.
FAVN blood test coordinationWe work with your vet so the sample goes to an HDOA-approved lab with Hawaii listed as the destination.
HDOA document packageThe AQS-279 import form, both rabies certificates, and fees assembled, checked, and submitted ahead of the deadline.
Health certificate timingScheduled with your vet inside the 14-day window before arrival, with your flight already confirmed.
Airline booking and crateFlight booked to arrive in time for same-day release, with a correctly sized, airline-approved crate.
Direct arrival on Maui, Big Island, or KauaiIf you want to skip Honolulu, we arrange the Neighbor Island Inspection Permit and the local inspecting vet.
One coordinator throughoutThe same person tracks every deadline and updates you from the first call to the day your pet is released.
How Far Ahead to Start
For a pet with no Hawaii-qualifying history, plan on four to six months. Here is how a typical move runs with us:
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As soon as you know you’re moving
Consultation and records review
We review your pet’s microchip and rabies history and give you a dated plan with your earliest possible arrival date.
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Months 1–3
Vaccines and FAVN blood test
Two rabies vaccinations on record, then the FAVN test. A passing result is 0.5 IU/mL or higher. Lab results typically take 2–4 weeks.
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30 days after a passing result
Waiting period completes
Your pet can’t arrive before this date. We book the flight around it.
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10–30 days before arrival
Documents submitted, health certificate issued
Honolulu arrivals need documents received 10 or more days ahead; direct neighbor island arrivals need 30 or more.
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Travel day
Pickup, flight, and release
We handle pickup and cargo check-in. Qualifying pets are inspected and released to you at the arrival airport.
Moving sooner than that? Call us anyway. Pets with earlier rabies vaccinations or a prior FAVN result on file may qualify faster, and if release on arrival isn’t possible, we’ll plan the shortest legal quarantine path. For the full rules, see our Hawaii pet import requirements guide.
Honolulu or Direct to a Neighbor Island
You don’t have to fly through Honolulu if you’re moving to Maui, the Big Island, or Kauai. Qualifying pets can be released directly at three neighbor island airports, but that route has earlier deadlines and extra steps.
| Arrival option | What’s required | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu (HNL), Oahu | Documents received by the Animal Quarantine Station 10+ days before arrival. No extra permit. | Moves to Oahu, and anyone who wants the simplest paperwork |
| Direct to Kahului (OGG), Kona (KOA), or Lihue (LIH) | Neighbor Island Inspection Permit, documents received 30+ days before arrival, and a booking with an approved local inspecting vet (separate fee). | Moves to Maui, the Big Island, or Kauai with time to plan |
| Land in Honolulu, then fly on | Released in Honolulu first. Once cleared, no further requirements for interisland travel. | Tight timelines, or when a direct flight isn’t available |
Flat-faced breeds need a different plan. There’s no driving to Hawaii, and most airlines restrict Bulldogs, Pugs, Frenchies, Persians, and similar breeds from cargo. Options are limited but not always zero — tell us your pet’s breed and size up front and we’ll tell you honestly what’s possible.
PCS orders to Hawaii? Military orders often arrive with less lead time than Hawaii’s process needs. Call us the day your orders are confirmed — we’ll tell you whether release on arrival is still possible and plan around your report date. See our military pet transportation services.
Moving Off the Islands with Your Pet
We also move pets in the other direction. Leaving Hawaii has none of the quarantine rules of arriving, but you still need an airline booking, a correct crate, and a health certificate that matches your airline’s requirements.
Hawaii to the mainland
Flights into SEA-TAC or LAX with our team meeting your pet on arrival, and ground or air delivery onward anywhere in the continental U.S.
Hawaii to another country
Hawaii’s rabies-free status can simplify entry to some countries. We plan the export and route it through our international pet shipping network.
Hawaii Pet Transport FAQs
How much does it cost to ship a pet to Hawaii?
Your total depends on your pet’s size, departure city, arrival island, and how much of the process you want us to handle. It includes our service fee, the airline’s cargo charge, your vet and lab fees, and the state’s program fee. The fastest way to an accurate figure is a free quote with your pet’s details and move date.
Can my pet avoid quarantine in Hawaii?
Yes. Pets that meet every requirement on time qualify for Direct Airport Release and go home with you the day they arrive. Missing a requirement or a deadline can mean up to 120 days in the state quarantine station. Getting every date right is the main thing we do.
Do I have to fly my pet through Honolulu to reach Maui, Kona, or Kauai?
No. With a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit, qualifying pets can be released directly at Kahului, Kona, or Lihue airports. Documents must be received 30 or more days before arrival, and you’ll need a booking with an approved inspecting vet at that airport. We arrange both.
How far in advance should I contact you?
Four to six months before your move is ideal for a pet that hasn’t started the process. If your pet already has two rabies vaccinations and a recent FAVN result, the timeline can be much shorter. Contact us as soon as you know your move date and we’ll tell you your earliest possible arrival.
I live elsewhere on the mainland, not Seattle or Los Angeles. Can you still help?
Yes. We manage the paperwork and timing from anywhere on the U.S. mainland, and connect your pet to SEA-TAC or LAX by ground or air for the flight to Hawaii.
Can you move my pet from Hawaii back to the mainland?
Yes. Leaving Hawaii has no quarantine requirements, and we handle the airline booking, crate, and health certificate, then meet your pet at SEA-TAC or LAX and deliver them onward.
Get Your Pet to Hawaii Without Quarantine
Tell us your pet, your mainland departure city, your island, and your move date. We’ll send a quote and your earliest possible arrival date.
