International Pet Transport to USA or Hawaii

Key Takeaways:

• The USA and Hawaii have different pet import requirements - it is important to understand which rules apply to your specific destination before planning your pet's relocation
• Pets travelling from Australia to both mainland USA and Hawaii do not require quarantine on arrival, provided all documentation and import requirements have been completed correctly
• All pets travelling from Australia to the USA require a microchip, export permit and government health certificate as a minimum - a rabies vaccination is optional but highly recommended
• Departure Pets flies pets into 13 mainland US airports and Honolulu using Qantas, Qatar Airways and Emirates
• Your assigned Departure Pets consultant will confirm all requirements specific to your pet's destination state, entry airport and individual circumstances

Planning to relocate your pet from Australia to the United States? Whether you're heading to the mainland or to Hawaii, the USA is one of our most popular international pet relocation destinations - and one of the most important to plan carefully. The requirements for mainland USA and Hawaii are significantly different, and understanding which rules apply to your specific destination is the first step in getting the process right.

At Departure Pets, our team manages every detail of your pet's journey from Australia - from collection at your home through to safe delivery at your new address in the USA. Not sure where to start? Our how pet travel works guide is a great place to begin.

Mainland USA vs Hawaii - Why the Distinction Matters

This is the most important thing to understand when planning pet transport from Australia to the United States. Mainland USA and Hawaii are not the same destination when it comes to pet import rules.

• Mainland USA - The continental United States requires standard documentation including a microchip, export permit and government health certificate. A rabies vaccination is optional but highly recommended. Pets arriving at mainland US airports from Australia do not require a quarantine period on arrival, provided all documentation is correct and current.
• Hawaii - Hawaii maintains its own biosecurity programme entirely separate from mainland US requirements, due to its rabies-free status. Hawaii has some of the strictest pet import rules in the world, however pets travelling from Australia do not require quarantine on arrival provided all documentation and import requirements have been completed correctly. The timeline and preparation for a Hawaii relocation still requires careful advance planning - the earlier you contact us, the more options we can put in place for your pet.

Your Departure Pets consultant will confirm the exact requirements based on your specific US destination, entry airport and pet.