Hawaii Auto Shipping Requirements / Checklist

Applicable items for car shipping to Hawaii and also to the mainland:

  • Ensure your vehicle(s) is in good mechanical operating condition (starts, runs, and drives with no issues).
  • The emergency brake must be fully functional.
  • The vehicle is licensed or qualified to be licensed for operation on public streets or highways.
  • The exterior of your automobile is clean, as an exterior condition report will be performed.
  • All personal belongings are removed from the car, only items included from the manufacturer will be allowed to ship with the vehicle (spare tire, jack, floor mats, etc).
  • Windows must be free of cracks and/or chips. For small chips please submit for approval prior to scheduling a shipment.
  • Gas tank level is required to be less than a ¼ of a tank full. Automobiles with more than ¼ of a tank of fuel will be refused by the port.
  • Remove any fire extinguishers.
  • Vehicles containing propane tanks must completely empty the tanks prior to shipping.
  • Payment for overseas shipping must be received by the overseas carrier prior to/or at the time of drop off at port location.

Items for automobile shipments to the mainland being dropped off at a Hawaii port:

  • Bring the Certificate of Ownership and a current Certificate of Registration*
  • If someone other than the registered owner delivers the automobile: A notarized letter of authorization from the registered owner(s) authorizing shipment must be provided.
  • If a lien holder is named on the Certificate of Ownership or Registration, a letter from the lien holder authorizing shipment from Hawaii, Guam, Saipan or Micronesia is required* (please note that a letter from the lien holder does not have to be notarized).
  • Any copies of Certificate of Ownership or Registration must include the front and back of the original document.

Hawaii Auto Shipping Ports:

  • Hilo, HI
  • Honolulu, HI
  • Kahului, HI
  • Nawiliwili, HI

Hawaii Auto Shipping Ports (Mainland):

  • Long Beach, CA
  • Oakland, CA
  • Seattle, WA

*Active military members with out-of-state lien holders are exempt from this requirement.

PLPASE NOTE—Automobiles shipping FROM Hawaii to the Mainland United States are subject to stringent inspections by the USDA prior to shipping. It is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to have the interior and exterior of the car thoroughly cleaned.

Example: The USDA will inspect wheel wells, under the vehicle’s carriage, in the motor compartment, and interior (both passenger and cargo arPAS). The USDA inspection is to find any dirt, grass, plant seeds or any other biological matter that may be considered invasive to the Mainland United States.

If your shipment fails the USDA inspection, the port is unable to ship your car until it has been sufficiently cleaned and re-inspected by the USDA.

The port reserves the right to reject receipt of cargo if the cargo does not meet the requirements for safe transportation and handling by our stevedore or vessel operations.