APHIS Agriculture Inspection Notice

Plant Protection and Quarantine October 2012

Guidance for Mailing 

and Shipping Food 

and Agricultural 

Products From 

Hawaii to the U.S. 

Mainland

Many agricultural pests and diseases that exist in 

Hawaii could be introduced into the U.S. mainland by 

food and agricultural products sent through the mail. 

Plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables from Hawaii 

may be hosts for fruit flies and other destructive plant 

pests and diseases that are found in Hawaii but not in 

the continental United States. These pests have the 

potential to cause severe damage to crops and the 

environment in other parts of the United States.

To protect agriculture and the environment from the 

spread of invasive pests and diseases, the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and 

Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regulates 

the movement of certain agricultural products from 

Hawaii to the U.S. mainland. All agricultural items 

being shipped or mailed to the U.S. mainland must 

be inspected and found to be pest free prior to being 

presented at airline cargo offices, the post office, or 

other courier services. People who illegally send 

prohibited agricultural items through the mail may be 

subject to criminal or civil penalties.

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

The shipment or mailing of 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. 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 boxes that are properly marked and stamped. 

Shipping or mailing processed fruits and vegetables 

is permissible. 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 below.

Items From Hawaii Allowed Entry into the U.S. 

Mainland after Inspection:

•	 Beach Sand

•	 Coconuts

•	 Commercially canned foods 

•	 Dried seeds and decorative arrangements

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

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

as well jade vine or Mauna Loa)

•	 Hinahina (Spanish moss)

•	 Irish or white potatoes

•	 Fresh pineapple

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

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

mangosteen, rambutan, starfruit, and sweet 

potato*

•	 Plants and cuttings** 

•	 Rocks and stones

•	 Seashells, not land snail shells

•	 Seed leis and seed jewelry

•	 Wood (including drift wood and sticks) and wood 

roses (dried)

* Note: These fruits must be treated at a USDA-approved 

facility and packed in boxes that are properly marked and 

stamped.

** Note: For certifying rooted plant material, contact the 

State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture. 

Items From Hawaii Not Allowed Entry into the U.S. 

Mainland:

•	 Fresh fruits and vegetables, except for those listed 

above as permitted

•	 Berries of any kind, including fresh coffee berries 

and sea grapes

•	 Cactus plants or cactus plant parts

•	 Cotton and cotton bolls

•	 Fresh flowers of jade vine and Mauna Loa

•	 Kikania and fresh pandanus

•	 Live insects and snails

•	 Seeds with fruit clinging and fresh seed pods

•	 Soil or any plants in soil

•	 Sugarcane

•	 Swamp cabbage (unchoy)

•	 Sweet potato (raw)

•	 Mock orange 
United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture

This information is subject to change. For the most 

up-to-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) 274-3071

Maui (808) 872-3848

Kona (808) 326-1077

In addition, APHIS’ Web site contains a wealth of 

useful information at www.aphis.usda.gov/travel. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.