Last reviewed: October 17, 2026 · Fact-checked against USDA APHIS sources listed at the end

Hawaii is home to plant pests and diseases that don’t exist on the mainland, so the U.S. Department of Agriculture checks what leaves the islands. It surprises a lot of people on their way out. Here’s what to expect, so nothing you care about gets taken from you at the airport.

How inspection works at the airport

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) inspects all passenger baggage leaving Hawaii for the U.S. mainland, before you depart. Checked bags go through inspection at or near the airline check-in counters. Carry-on bags are checked at the security checkpoints.

You may be asked to open your bags, and you’ll close them yourself afterward. One practical tip from USDA: don’t tape boxes or coolers shut until after they’ve been inspected.

What you can’t take to the mainland

According to APHIS, these are prohibited from Hawaii to the mainland:

• Most fresh fruits and vegetables, apart from the allowed items below
• All berries, including fresh coffee berries and sea grapes
• Untreated fresh papaya
• Raw sweet potato, swamp cabbage (unchoy), sugarcane, cactus and fresh pandanus
• Cotton and cotton bolls, kikania and mock orange
• Fresh jade vine and Mauna Loa flowers
• Seeds with fruit pulp attached and fresh seed pods
• Soil, and plants growing in soil
• Live insects and snails

What you can take after inspection

• Fresh pineapple and coconut, white (Irish) potatoes, and green or roasted coffee beans
• Processed food: canned, cooked, dried or frozen. Frozen fruit must be frozen solid, and frozen mango must be seedless.
• Treated fruit: papaya, banana, dragon fruit, lychee, mangosteen and some others, but only if treated at a USDA-approved facility and packed in sealed, stamped boxes. Buy these packed for travel, not from a roadside stand.
• Flowers, leis and foliage, except jade vine, Mauna Loa and citrus
• Keepsakes: beach sand, rocks, seashells (but not land snail shells), driftwood and wood, dried seeds, seed leis and jewelry, and dried wood roses

Taking your plants with you

Plants and cuttings can go to the mainland after inspection, but not in soil. Some states also require certification from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for rooted plants. Before you pack a favorite plant, check your destination state’s rules and call the APHIS office on your island.

Mailing or shipping agricultural items

Agricultural items sent by mail, courier or air cargo must be inspected by APHIS and found pest-free before you hand them over. APHIS says mailing prohibited items illegally can lead to criminal or civil penalties. APHIS inspection offices:

• Honolulu: 808-834-3220
• Maui (Kahului): 808-877-5261
• Kauai: 808-632-2511
• Hilo: 808-933-6930
• Kona: 808-326-1252

What about your household goods shipment?

Ocean cargo leaving Hawaii is also regulated. We couldn’t find APHIS guidance written specifically for household moves, so play it safe. Don’t pack plants, soil or fresh produce. Clean all soil off outdoor gear, bikes, patio furniture and garden tools. Don’t use plant material such as straw as packing. If you’re unsure about something, ask your mover and call APHIS before you pack.

Penalties

USDA’s traveler notice warns that failing to declare agricultural items can lead to delays and civil penalties of $100 to $1,000 per violation. The simple rule: if you’re carrying anything that grew, declare it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take a pineapple from Hawaii to the mainland?

Yes. Fresh pineapple is on APHIS’s allowed list, but it still has to pass inspection.

Can I take my lei home?

Most flower leis are allowed after inspection. Leis containing jade vine, Mauna Loa or citrus are not. Seed leis and shell jewelry are fine.

Can I take papaya?

Only if it was treated at a USDA-approved facility and packed in sealed, stamped boxes. Untreated fresh papaya is prohibited.

Can I bring sand and shells from the beach?

USDA allows beach sand, rocks and seashells, but not land snail shells. Check local rules where you collect them, too: some beaches and parks have their own restrictions.

Sources

• USDA APHIS: Traveling from Hawaii to the mainland
• USDA APHIS: Shipping and mailing agricultural items from Hawaii (PDF)
• USDA: Baggage inspection notice for travelers leaving Hawaii (PDF)
• Hawaii Airports: Agricultural inspection

Rules change. Always confirm with USDA APHIS before you travel. This guide is general information, not legal advice.