The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is responsible for inspecting plant material arriving from the U.S. Mainland.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
Agricultural items include all plants, plant parts, animals, microorganism cultures, soil, and related containers and packing materials.
Traveling from the U.S. Mainland to Hawaii:
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 Hawaii.
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 Hawaii:
- 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.
Common restricted plant material: Most plants are permitted into the State after inspection. However, Hawaii does not allow the following to be shipped into the State without prior arrangements for permit and/or quarantine, treatments, or certification:
- Pineapple and bromeliad plants and fruits
- Passion fruit plants and seeds
- Cruciferous root vegetables (radish, turnip, daikon, horseradish, rutabaga)
- Corn on the cob
- Citrus and pulpy fruits from Florida & Puerto Rico
- Taro and dasheen
- Coconuts
- Orchid plants require an import permit and certificate of origin.
- Plants in the grass family (including sugar cane and bamboo.
- Coffee plants and plant parts including seeds. (Green coffee beans must be fumigated and certified prior to shipment)*
- Palm plants
- Aster, chrysanthemum, hollyhock, dahlia and gladiolus plants require certification of origin or certification of treatment depending on where they are grown.*
- Pine plants and parts require certificate of origin or certificate of treatment depending on where they are grown. Cut branches are allowed during the period of Oct. 20 to Dec. 31.
- Sorghum, broomcorn and sudan grass – non-propagative parts require certificate of origin or certificate of treatment depending on where it is grown. Propagative parts (except seed) for planting require an import permit and quarantine.
To view the administrative rules regarding plant importation (Chapter 70 – Plant Import Rules), click here.
FOOD PRODUCTS
In general, foods that are cooked, canned, frozen or commercially processed and/or packaged are allowed to be transported to Hawaii, as long as the productis arrivingfrom within the U.S.
Frozen or chilled meats are also allowed to be transported to Hawaii 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 HAWAII
Hawaii has strict importing regulations for animals.
To view the webpage on Importing Animals to Hawaii, click here.
FAQs
USPS delivers to all addresses across the US, including in Hawaii. For UPS shipping to Hawaii, there's a weight limit of 150 lbs per parcel. USPS - Ground Advantage takes 3-5 working days when shipping to Hawaii. Easyship's market-leading shipping tools can help you compare the largest network of couriers available.
Does shipping to Hawaii go through customs? ›
If you are transporting freight from any other state, including Alaska, you don't need to worry about making a customs declaration. You will need customs documentation if you are exporting to Hawaii from a country other than one of the 50 states.
What is the cheapest way to ship to Hawaii? ›
USPS is the lowest-cost carrier option to Hawaii: The USPS delivers mail to every address in the U.S., including Hawaii, 6 days a week.
Can I travel by ship to Hawaii? ›
Quite a few cruise lines offer unforgettable family cruises to Hawaii with fun for all ages, including Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.
Do I need a customs form to ship to Hawaii? ›
Do shipments to Hawaii require a customs form? You don't have to worry about preparing a customs declaration if you are shipping freight from any of the other states, including Alaska. However, you will need customs paperwork if shipping to Hawaii from outside of the 50 states.
What items cannot be shipped to Hawaii? ›
RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED ITEMS:
- Pineapple and bromeliad plants and fruits.
- Passion fruit plants and seeds.
- Cruciferous root vegetables (radish, turnip, daikon, horseradish, rutabaga)
- Corn on the cob.
- Citrus and pulpy fruits from Florida & Puerto Rico.
- Taro and dasheen.
- Coconuts.
Remove personal items: Personal belongings can't be shipped inside of your vehicle.
What is the best way to ship to Hawaii? ›
UPS
- Usually a better option for large, heavy packages.
- UPS has a weight limit of 150 pounds per package.
- They have a variety of options, including urgent and express as well as more economical options such as UPS ground.
- Rates for shipping with UPS to Hawaii are in UPS' international category, like FedEx.
No, they are US States and ship the same as shipping any other state. You just can't use ground shipping to ship to those states.
What is the best carrier to ship to Hawaii? ›
Depending on the size and volume, shipments to Hawaii can be handled by any of the major parcel carriers, including USPS, UPS, and FedEx. These carriers provide the most efficient shipping services for infrequent personal shipments that aren't time-sensitive.
Less Expensive to Cruise Hawaii Than Exploring It by Land
Hawaii is a notoriously expensive vacation destination. According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, land visitors spent an average of $230.80 a day in 2022 on lodging, food and beverages, shopping and entertainment.
How much does it cost to ship stuff to Hawaii? ›
Because the price for every commodity is different, the cost to ship a full container to Hawaii can vary significantly, depending on what you're sending. In our experience, we've seen costs that range anywhere from $5,000–$16,000 for a full container load (FCL) shipment of general commodities to Hawaii.
Can I get to Hawaii without flying? ›
Via a serendipitous sea/rail connection that occurs several times a year. Each spring and fall, this route gives travelers the opportunity to visit Hawaii's four major islands for 12 days, enjoy nine days at sea, and take a two-day train trip along the Pacific Coast -- all without ever once visiting an airport.
How long is a boat ride from California to Hawaii? ›
The Bottom Line. For most recreational boats, plan on the journey from California to Hawaii taking 2–4 weeks each way depending on your vessel and route. High performance sailing catamarans and fast power boats can make it in 5–7 days under perfect conditions.
What is the cheapest month to cruise to Hawaii? ›
Cheapest Months To Go To Hawaii
January and September. Cruise during shoulder season if you want to have a fabulous time and save money. Shoulder season is not only the best for your budget; the crowds thin out, giving you more elbow room at the beaches and attractions.
Can you ship to Hawaii with USPS? ›
$10.20 is the retail price for the small flat rate box. If you purchase your postage through eBay, it will cost you $8.10.
Is there a ferry from mainland U.S. to Hawaii? ›
There are also no ferries that cross this long distance. If there were, it would take three and a half days to reach the island from California, chugging along at 29 miles per hour. There are few destinations that can rival Hawaii when it comes to beauty and relaxation.
Can you buy a car from the mainland and ship it to Hawaii? ›
If you're eyeing a move to Hawaii from the continental United States, you obviously can't just drive the car to your new address. You'll likely need to rely on a car shipping company to safely transport your vehicle from the U.S. mainland to a port on one of the Hawaiian Islands.
