Hawaii Agriculture Form

Every flight to Hawaii comes with a small piece of paperwork most travelers overlook until the flight attendant hands it out mid-flight. The Hawaii Plant and Animal Declaration Form is a legal requirement for all arriving passengers, and filling it out correctly takes about 30 seconds. Here is what you need to know.

What Is the Hawaii Agriculture Form?

The agriculture declaration form is a one-page document administered by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA). Its official name is the Plant and Animal Declaration Form.

The form asks a simple question: are you bringing any plants, animals, fruits, vegetables, seeds, soil, or other biological materials into the state? You check "yes" or "no," list any items, sign it, and hand it to inspectors after you land.

Hawaii's isolation in the middle of the Pacific Ocean makes its ecosystems extremely vulnerable. Species that are harmless on the mainland can devastate Hawaiian agriculture and native habitats. The brown tree snake, which wiped out most of Guam's native birds, is the nightmare scenario Hawaii is working to prevent.

When Do You Fill It Out?

Flight attendants distribute the form during the flight, usually about 30 to 60 minutes before landing. You will get one form per passenger, including children.

Fill it out before the plane lands. You will need it when you pass through the agriculture inspection area after picking up your checked luggage.

Some airlines now offer a digital version through their app. Check with your airline before departure.

What You Need to Declare

Declare any of the following items if you are carrying them:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Plants, cuttings, or flowers
• Seeds, bulbs, or soil
• Live insects or other arthropods
• Live animals (including pets)
• Raw or unprocessed nuts
• Fresh-cut flowers or leis from the mainland
• Shells or coral

When in doubt, declare it. There is no penalty for declaring an item that turns out to be allowed. There are serious penalties for failing to declare something that should have been listed.

Prohibited Items

These items cannot enter Hawaii under any circumstances:

• Snakes — All snakes are illegal in Hawaii, no exceptions
• Most fresh fruits and vegetables — Especially citrus, berries, stone fruits, and most tropical fruits from the mainland
• Plants with soil attached — Soil can harbor pests, fungi, and invasive organisms
• Non-domestic animals — Ferrets, gerbils, hamsters, and reptiles are banned
• Live insects — Including pet insects, ant farms, or live bait
• Coffee plants or berries — To protect Hawaii's coffee industry from the coffee berry borer
• Raw cotton — Cotton pests can devastate crops

Items That Are Generally Allowed

You can bring these without issues:

• Commercially packaged and processed foods (chips, candy, dried goods)
• Pineapples and coconuts (already present in Hawaii, low pest risk)
• Dried flowers and dried leis
• Frozen or cooked meats and seafood
• Baked goods and bread
• Canned or jarred foods
• Roasted coffee beans
• Dried herbs and spices in sealed packages
• Dogs and cats with proper documentation (health certificate within 30 days, current rabies vaccination)

Pets require additional paperwork. Hawaii has a strict rabies quarantine program. Dogs and cats that meet all pre-arrival requirements can qualify for direct airport release. Those that do not face up to 120 days of quarantine. Start the process at least four months before your trip.

What Happens at the Agriculture Inspection

After you land and collect your checked bags, you will walk through the agriculture inspection area before exiting the baggage claim. Here is the process:

1. Hand your completed declaration form to the inspector
2. If you checked "no" to everything, you will likely walk straight through
3. If you declared items, the inspector may ask to see them
4. Agriculture-trained beagles sometimes patrol the baggage area sniffing for undeclared produce
5. Prohibited items will be confiscated — no refund or compensation

The process usually takes less than a minute. Inspectors are friendly. The dogs are adorable. It is not an intimidating experience.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Knowingly failing to declare agricultural items is a federal and state offense. Fines can reach $25,000 for individuals. In practice, most accidental violations result in confiscation of the item and a warning. But intentional smuggling of prohibited species is taken seriously. Hawaii has prosecuted people for bringing in snakes and illegal animals.

Inter-Island Travel

There is no agriculture form or inspection when flying between Hawaiian islands. The declaration applies only to flights arriving from the US mainland or international destinations.

However, there are restrictions on what you can take when leaving Hawaii to return to the mainland. Certain plants and produce require inspection and certification before departure. The USDA Plant Protection and Quarantine office operates at all major Hawaii airports.

Tips for Travelers

• Eat any fresh produce before your flight rather than trying to bring it
• Buy a pen before your flight — the form requires a signature and the flight crew may not have extras
• Declare everything you are unsure about — it is free and fast, and avoids any risk of a fine
• If you want to bring plants or produce to Hawaii, check the HDOA import permit requirements before you travel
• Pack snacks in sealed, commercially packaged containers to avoid any confusion
• Planning to bring your dog or cat? Start the rabies quarantine paperwork at least 4 months early