Predeparture Passenger Baggage Inspection Notice for Travelers from Hawaii to the U.S. Mainland and Guam

Plant Protection & Quarantine

September 2004

American agriculture is constantly being threatened by plant and animal pests and diseases. Many are microscopic. Every traveler, even those traveling from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland and Guam, may unknowingly carry these hitchhikers that could
seriously damage American agriculture.

All passenger baggage moving from Hawaii to the U.S. mainland and Guam is subject to inspection. These inspections are performed prior to departure at the airport by inspectors from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Please be prepared to open and close your own baggage. Do not tape coolers and boxes closed until after inspection.

In addition, all agricultural items being shipped to the U.S. mainland must be inspected prior to being presented to airline cargo offices, the post office, or other courier services.

If you have any agricultural items with you, please inform the inspector. Failure to declare these items can result in delays and fines of $1,000 or more.

Permitted Items from Hawaii into the U.S. Mainland and Guam (after passing inspection):

Beach sand
Coconuts
Cooked foods
Dried seeds
Dried decorative arrangements
Fresh flowers (except gardenia, jade vine, and Mauna Loa)
Hinahina (Spanish moss)
“Irish” or white potatoes
Pineapples
Rocks or stones
Seashells (except land snail shells)
Wood (including drift wood and sticks)

Note: Papayas require treatments before they can be shipped to the U.S. mainland. Commercially canned and thoroughly cooked foods are permitted.

Additional Items Permitted from Hawaii to Guam:

Beets
Rutabagas
Turnips (without tops)

Items from Hawaii Not Permitted into the U.S. Mainland:

Berries of any kind, including coffee berries and sea grapes
Cactus plants or parts
Cotton and cotton bolls
Fresh flowers of gardenia, jade vine, and Mauna Loa
Fresh pulpy fruits and vegetables (except pineapple)
Kikania and fresh pandanus
Live insects and snails
Plants in soil
Seeds with pulp and fresh seed pods
Soil
Sugarcane
Swamp cabbage (unchoy)
Sweet potato (raw)

The preceding lists are subject to change. For more information, call the USDA, APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine office at:
Hilo: (808) 933–6931
Honolulu: (808) 861–8490
Kailua–Kona: (808) 326–1252
Lihue: (808) 245–2831
Maui: (808) 877–5261

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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