Mailing and Shipping Food and Agricultural Products 

From Hawaii to the U.S. Mainland

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Plant Protection and Quarantine 

United States Department of Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal 

and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prohibits 

or restricts the movement of many agricultural products 

from Hawaii into the U.S. mainland, including most 

fresh fruits and vegetables and certain types of plants 

and flowers. That’s because these items could harbor 

a dangerous stowaway—an invasive pest or disease. 

Just one piece of fruit or a single plant that is carrying an 

invasive pest or disease could cause millions of dollars 

in damage and lead to expensive eradication efforts, lost 

trade revenue, and higher food prices. 

All agricultural items, including fresh fruits and 

vegetables, plants, flowers, and crafts made from plants 

or wood, must be inspected by APHIS and found to be 

pest free before you take your package to an airline 

cargo office, the post office, or other courier service. 

People who illegally send prohibited agricultural items 

through the mail may be subject to criminal or civil 

penalties.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Shipping or mailing most fresh fruits and vegetables from 

Hawaii to the continental United States is prohibited due 

to the risk of introducing certain invasive plant pests and 

diseases. However, there are a few exceptions. Fresh 

pineapple and coconut are permitted after inspection. 

Fresh papaya, abiu, atemoya, banana, curry leaf, dragon 

fruit, longan, lychee, mangosteen, rambutan, starfruit, 

and sweet potato are permitted, but must be treated at a 

USDA-approved facility and packed in sealed boxes that 

are properly marked and stamped. 

Shipping or mailing processed fruits and vegetables is 

allowed. Processing methods include cooking, drying, 

or freezing. If freezing, all fruits must be frozen solid at 

the time of inspection. Frozen mango must be without 

seeds. 

Please contact APHIS for more information about approved 

processing methods. Telephone numbers for local APHIS 

offices in Hawaii are provided on the next page.

Common Items From Hawaii Allowed into 

the U.S. Mainland After Inspection

n Beach sand

n Coconuts

n Commercially canned foods 

n Dried seeds and decorative arrangements

n Fresh flowers, leis, and foliage (except any citrus or 

citrus-related flowers, leaves, or other plant parts, as 

well as jade vine or Mauna Loa)

n Hinahina (Spanish moss)

n Irish or white potatoes

n Fresh pineapple

n Treated fruit, such as papaya, abiu, atemoya, 

banana, curry leaf, dragon fruit, longan, lychee, 

mangosteen, rambutan, starfruit, and sweet potato1

n Plants and cuttings2 

n Rocks and stones

n Seashells, not land snail shells

n Seed leis and seed jewelry

n Wood (including driftwood 

and sticks) and wood roses 

(dried)

1 These fruits must be treated at a USDA-approved facility and packed in boxes that are properly marked and stamped.

2 For certifying rooted plant material, contact the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. 
Common Items From Hawaii Not Allowed into 

the U.S. Mainland

n Fresh fruits and vegetables, except for those listed as 

permitted

n Berries of any kind, including fresh coffee berries and 

sea grapes

n Cactus plants or cactus plant parts

n Cotton plant parts, including cotton bolls 

n Fresh flowers of jade vine and Mauna Loa 

n Kikania and fresh screwpine (pandanus) fruit

n Live insects and snails

n Seeds with fruit clinging and fresh seed pods

n Soil or any plants in soil

n Sugarcane

n Swamp cabbage (unchoy)

n Sweet potato (raw)

n Mock orange 

This information is subject to change. For the most upto-date information, contact your local APHIS office: 

Honolulu (808) 834-3220 

Kona (808) 326-1252

Kauai (808) 632-2511

Hilo (808) 933-6930

Maui (808) 877-5261 

For information on how to certify plants and cuttings, 

contact the Hawaii Department of Agriculture: 

Honolulu (808) 832-0566

Hilo (808) 974-4141

Kauai (808) 241-7135

Maui (808) 872-3848

Kona (808) 326-1077

For more information, please visit APHIS’ website at 

www.aphis.usda.gov/travel. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. Issued July 2017

PPQ-20-004 Slightly revised February 2020