Hawaii

Scope

Hawaii is a US state, not a separate national customs or immigration jurisdiction. International arrivals by sea involve the US federal Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and federal entry inspection. CBP requires small vessels arriving from a foreign port or place to report immediately, and people aboard must undergo inspection under applicable document and visa rules. Hawaii has separate state quarantine and inspection rules for agricultural products and animals entering the state; the state harbors department separately administers fees and vessel rules for ports under its jurisdiction. Confirm federal reporting and clearance, state agricultural inspection, and the requirements of the intended berth separately. Approval under one does not mean the other formalities are complete.

Ports of entry and departure

A local Hawaii agent advises that an initial arrival from abroad must be made at an authorized CBP reception point; a vessel should not first anchor at an ordinary anchorage.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Yacht Clearance + U.S. Customs and Border Protection Cruising Pe

Pre-arrival notification

An agent recommends coordinating 24 hours in advance. Actual US Coast Guard/CBP notification obligations depend on vessel type, flag and voyage; an agent's recommendation should not be treated as a single statutory deadline for all vessels.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Yacht Clearance + U.S. Customs and Border Protection Cruising Pe

Crew and passenger entry

The master of a private yacht arriving in the United States from a foreign port or place must report immediately to the nearest CBP port of entry or designated location. People aboard must report to CBP and undergo inspection. CBP says private vessel arrivals should not assume they can use the general visa-waiver arrangements for air or land arrivals. Each person must confirm valid travel documents and visa/entry eligibility according to nationality, status and role. Private yacht crew may qualify for specific visa categories based on their duties and foreign employment relationship; crew rules must not be applied to passengers. Reporting the vessel and granting each person entry and a permitted stay are separate decisions. Before arrival, confirm arrangements with CBP and a US embassy or consulate.

Yacht arrival and vessel customs

CBP requires the master of a small yacht arriving in the United States from a foreign port or place to report immediately and notify the nearest CBP port of entry or designated location. People aboard must apply to a CBP officer for lawful admission and undergo inspection. Alternative reporting channels such as CBP ROAM are available only when the vessel qualifies and CBP authorizes their use; follow CBP instructions. The US Coast Guard has separate Notice of Arrival (NOA) rules, although recreational vessels may be exempt. The owner or master should check whether 33 CFR Part 160 requires an NOA based on vessel type, tonnage, voyage and applicable exceptions.

A foreign yacht's short visit or temporary use is different from formally importing the vessel as merchandise. CBP information says a personal import may require proof of ownership and documentation of engine emissions compliance and may incur duty. Ordinary berthing or border inspection does not establish that the vessel has been formally imported, granted long-term duty-free treatment or authorized to remain indefinitely. Before arrival, contact CBP at the port of entry to confirm the applicable arrival and temporary-use procedures for this vessel.

State agricultural inspection, animals and waste aboard

Hawaii inspects regulated agricultural products entering the state. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity says regulated items arriving by sea or air may be inspected. State administrative rules also require a vessel or carrier transporting a dog, cat or other carnivore intended to enter Hawaii to submit a master's declaration on arrival. The animal must remain aboard in a secure kennel for inspection or quarantine and be kept under supervision, as required. For vessel waste, USDA APHIS requires eligible ocean-going vessels to handle regulated garbage using approved methods. This includes vessels that visited a port outside the United States or Canada within the past two years, or that traveled to or from Hawaii within the past year. Requirements and responsible authorities differ for food, plants, pets and waste. Before departure, contact state agricultural inspection/HDOA and APHIS to confirm the vessel's inventory, inspection arrangements and waste disposal. Do not put regulated goods, animals or waste ashore without authorization.

When a small recreational vessel arrives in the United States from a foreign port, its master must report immediately to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and submit to inspection as required. Check people's documents, items aboard and any applicable cash-declaration obligations separately. Some non-commercial private yachts may qualify for exceptions to commercial-vessel manifest rules, but that does not exempt people or goods from inspection.

Hawaii's Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity says regulated commodities arriving by sea and passenger baggage may be inspected. Soil, live plants and plant material, fresh fruit and non-domestic animals may require permits, treatment or quarantine, or may be refused entry. Federal USDA APHIS rules also control the unloading, transport and treatment of international vessel garbage. Confirm federal and Hawaii state requirements by item category, origin and the holder's status for firearms, ammunition, controlled drugs, wildlife and wildlife products, food, plants, soil and animals.

Public information does not fully explain whether certain goods rules or exemptions apply to yacht fixtures, crew personal effects or supplies kept aboard. Before arrival, confirm each item with CBP, APHIS and Hawaii's Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Do not put regulated items ashore or dispose of vessel garbage without authorization.

Official sources: CBP requirements for private yachts arriving in the United States；APHIS regulated garbage；Hawaii port inspections；CBP items to declare on arrival.

Verification status: To be confirmed. General federal and state rules were checked; their specific application to goods kept aboard a private yacht remains to be confirmed with the authorities.

Arrival procedures

Reception may involve CBP, agricultural and health authorities. Do not go ashore solely because a marina has arranged a berth.

Third-party reference (not an official rule): Yacht Clearance + U.S. Customs and Border Protection Cruising Pe

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) charges a federal vessel user fee for applicable private vessels. Under 19 CFR 24.22, it generally applies to private yachts at least 30 feet long. Exemptions include certain private vessels under 30 feet that have no merchandise to declare to CBP, and private vessels while covered by a valid cruising license. The FY2027 amount is USD 38.04, effective 1 October 2026. Whether and when the fee is due also depends on the vessel and owner.

This is separate from Hawaii state harbor, berth, immigration or agent charges. Hawaii harbor rules provide for port fees and exceptions for local recreational vessels; confirm with the harbor concerned whether a visiting foreign yacht qualifies for an exception and what port and berth charges apply. These figures cannot be used to calculate total clearance costs. CBP's published departure guidance concerns qualifying US-flagged private, non-commercial yachts and cannot be assumed to apply to foreign-flagged yachts.

Official sources: 19 CFR 24.22；CBP FY2027 fee notice；Hawaii harbor rules.

Verification status: To be confirmed. The federal user fee and exemptions were checked; visiting yachts' Hawaii harbor-fee classification and total departure costs must still be confirmed port by port.