KONA, HAWAIʻI · KOA / PHKO
Serving Kona now · New terminal scheduled to open December 2026
USDA INSPECTIONS
Plan ahead for departure.
Flying to the U.S. mainland? Big Island Jet Center will arrange your USDA inspection for one hour before departure. Give us your departure time in advance and tell us promptly if your schedule changes.
Coordinate catering and inspection arrangements with BIJC before departure.
What can leave Hawaiʻi?
Present all food, plants and agricultural items to the USDA inspector before departure. These are the key rules for mainland travel:
- Most fresh produce cannot go: most fresh fruits and vegetables, all fresh berries, and fresh coffee berries are prohibited unless a specific approved exception applies.
- Common exceptions: fresh pineapple, coconut, coffee beans and commercially canned or processed foods may travel after inspection.
- Treated fruit: certain fruit, including papaya and lychee, requires treatment at a USDA-approved facility and sealed, properly marked and stamped packaging.
- Frozen fruit: it must be frozen solid at inspection; frozen mango must have no seeds.
- Flowers and leis: many are permitted after inspection, but jade vine, Mauna Loa and citrus-family plant material are prohibited.
- Plants and soil: soil, plants in soil, cactus and sugarcane are prohibited. Other plants or cuttings may need certification.
USDA inspectors make the final decision. Alaska and Guam have some different exceptions.
Your inspection: one hour before departure.
We will set up the USDA inspection for one hour before your scheduled departure to a mainland destination. Coordinate your departure time, catering and any agricultural items with our team ahead of time.
Have baggage, catering and food purchases accessible. Be ready to open bags and leave coolers or boxes untaped until inspected.
Questions about a specific item? Contact our team or the Kona APHIS office at 808-326-1252.
Choose USDA-certified catering.
Twin Engine Catering and Outrageous Gourmet are USDA-certified catering providers. Let our team coordinate your order for your mainland departure.
Other catering, restaurant takeout, leftovers or food brought aboard may be refused and have to be thrown away if they do not meet USDA requirements. Check with us before ordering or bringing food to the aircraft. All catering remains subject to the applicable inspection requirements.
Summary based on USDA APHIS Hawaiʻi departure guidance and its baggage inspection notice, checked October 7, 2026. Requirements can change; USDA determines whether an item may travel.
YOUR KONA ARRIVAL STARTS HERE
Let us take care of the details.
Share your arrival plans, aircraft requirements, and passenger or crew needs. Our team will help coordinate your visit.