Promote:
Export from Hawaii
A short guide for companies selling from Hawaii: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Hawaii sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$395.4 million
Merchandise exports were US$395.4 million in 2025 by origin of movement, including re-exports, as Census first published them.
Source: Census Bureau, Exhibit 2 state exports, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Manufactured goods exports
US$206.2 million
Manufactured goods exports were US$206.2 million in 2025, 52.1 percent of the state's total, computed from Census Exhibit 2.
Source: Census Bureau, Exhibit 2 state exports, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2025
- 1. Civilian aircraft, engines and partsUS$138.6 million
- 2. Ferrous scrap (HS 7204)US$43 million
- 3. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$30.6 million
- 4. Aluminum scrap (HS 7602)US$20.5 million
- 5. Gas turbines and jet engines (HS 8411)US$14.9 million
- 6. Crustaceans (HS 0306)US$13.8 million
- 7. Copper scrap (HS 7404)US$12.3 million
- 8. Bottled and mineral water (HS 2201)US$9.28 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Computers and data processing machines (HS 8471)US$6.42 million
- 10. Tree nuts, fresh or dried (HS 0802)US$6.1 million
- 11. Plastic household articles (HS 3924)US$5.96 million
- 12. Coffee (HS 0901)US$5.92 million
- 13. Waste paper (HS 4707)US$5.27 million
- 14. Chocolate and cocoa foods (HS 1806)US$4.93 million
- 15. Melons and papayas (HS 0807)US$4.58 million
- 16. Passenger motor vehicles (HS 8703)US$4.49 million
- 17. Essential oils (HS 3301)US$4.47 million
- 18. Jewelry of precious metal (HS 7113)US$3.06 million
- 19. Precious-metal watches (HS 9101)US$3.02 million
- 20. Smartphones and network equipment (HS 8517)US$2.93 million
- Origin of movement is where goods began their journey to the port, not always where made. For farm, fish and mining goods the state shown generally reflects the port of export, and foreign-trade zone shipments are spread among states. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The ranking's shares are of US$414.1 million, the Census Bureau's current 2025 total in its state export data. The exports total shown, US$395.4 million, is Exhibit 2's figure as first published, so the two differ. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Where the goods go
2025, share of goods exports
- Australia24.6%
- Japan14.7%
- Germany9.4%
- South Korea6.3%
- Bangladesh5.2%
- India4.9%
- Hong Kong4.2%
- Canada4%
Show 2 more destinations
- Philippines3.4%
- China3.2%
Source: Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
2. What to look into next
Our reading
The research marks crustaceans, bottled and mineral water and tree nuts, fresh or dried as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Hawaii’s top destinations overall.
Source: Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Based on: Top goods exports
Precious-metal watches grew 113% from 2024 to 2025; essential oils grew 105% from 2024 to 2025. A growing line can mean buyers are looking for more; confirm it with that line’s buyers before you plan around it.
Source: Census Bureau, state exports by product and destination, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Based on: Top goods exports, against the year before
Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.
3. Trade agreements
For Hawaii: the United States’ agreements apply
4. What Hawaii runs for exporters
Only what Hawaii itself runs or asks of exporters, each with its source.
The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism runs two overseas offices, in Taipei and Beijing, that support Hawaii companies selling in Greater China.
Source: Hawaii BDSD, DBEDT overseas offices (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Taipei office displays made-in-Hawaii products, gives market information and works with the American Institute in Taiwan; the Beijing office assists Hawaii exporters on instructions from the department.
Source: Hawaii BDSD, Taipei office (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Hawaii State Trade Expansion Program's federal share is US$195,000 for FY 2026, against US$500,000 for FY 2025, on a total cost of US$260,000 for FY 2026.
Source: Hawaii BDSD, HiSTEP program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The program has three parts: export readiness advising and seminars, Go Global trade and consumer shows, and company assistance for export market development.
Source: Hawaii BDSD, HiSTEP program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 4 more
To take part in the program a company must be in good standing with the Business Registration Division and hold a current general excise tax license.
Source: Hawaii BDSD, HiSTEP program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The program's Hawaii pavilions favor products with at least 51 percent of wholesale value added in Hawaii, the Made in Hawaii test in section 468-119.
Source: Hawaii BDSD, HiSTEP program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The Plant Quarantine Branch of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity certifies nursery products for the mainland and issues phytosanitary certificates (application PQ-47A) for plant shipments abroad.
Source: Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, export inspection (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
The United States Department of Agriculture, not the state, inspects cut flowers, foliage and fruit going to the mainland and propagative plants going abroad; confirm which agency inspects your shipment.
Source: Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, export inspection (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Export requirements across the United States: see the steps in Export from the United States
5. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Hawaii
- Register with the Hawaii State Trade Expansion Program for an initial export consultation; you need good standing with the Business Registration Division and a general excise tax license.Business Development and Support Division, Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & TourismNo cost to register.Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Hawaii BDSD, HiSTEP program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- If you ship plants, ask the Plant Quarantine Branch for an inspection or a phytosanitary certificate (application PQ-47A), and ask the destination about import permits.Hawaii Department of Agriculture and BiosecurityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, export inspection (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Contact the United States Commercial Service Honolulu office for export counseling; it serves the whole state from the Foreign Trade Zone 9 facility.U.S. Commercial Service HonoluluOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Commercial Service, Honolulu office contact page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- File electronic export information in the Automated Export System when goods under one Schedule B number are worth over US$2,500, or need a license.U.S. Census BureauOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ITA, filing export shipments in the Automated Export System (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more export step
- Check the free trade agreement certificate of origin rules before you claim a preference, and ask the buyer which format it accepts.International Trade AdministrationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ITA, free trade agreement certificates of origin (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
6. Organizations that help exporters
Start with BDSD and Hawaii SBDC. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
- This guide lists every Hawaii body found with evidence dated 2025 or later. Source (opens in a new tab)
Export development and market information
State business development division
BDSD
Business Development and Support Division, Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism
Runs the Hawaii State Trade Expansion Program, the Hawaii Made program and enterprise zones, and the state's overseas offices in Taipei and Beijing.
Visit BDSD (opens in a new tab)Source: Hawaii BDSD, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Get advice
Small business advising network
Hawaii SBDC
Hawaii Small Business Development Center
Gives no-cost business advising across Hawaii and takes part in the state's export readiness workshops with DBEDT and the Small Business Administration.
Visit Hawaii SBDC (opens in a new tab)Source: EXIM, Hawaii export readiness workshop, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
State tax department
DOTAX
Department of Taxation
Issues general excise tax licenses and runs Hawaii Tax Online for state tax registration, filing and payment.
Visit DOTAX (opens in a new tab)Source: Hawaii Department of Taxation, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
State commercial harbors division
Harbors Division
Harbors Division, Hawaii Department of Transportation
Operates Hawaii's nine commercial harbors, from Honolulu and Hilo to Kahului and Nawiliwili, through which ships carry goods to and from the islands.
Visit Harbors Division (opens in a new tab)Source: Hawaii Harbors Division, about the harbors (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
State agriculture and biosecurity department
DAB
Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity
Its Plant Quarantine Branch inspects plant exports and issues phytosanitary certificates for shipments abroad.
Visit DAB (opens in a new tab)Source: Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, export inspection (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
- Get advice
State technology development agency
HTDC
Hawaii Technology Development Corporation
Runs state technology and manufacturing programs, including Manufacturing Assistance Program grants and the Hawaii SBIR grant; its INNOVATE Hawaii manufacturing center has taken only short-term projects since May 2025.
Visit HTDC (opens in a new tab)Source: Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, INNOVATE Hawaii (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
State business regulator
DCCA
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Licenses more than 140,000 professionals and monitors the solvency of Hawaii's banks and insurers, and houses the Business Registration Division.
Visit DCCA (opens in a new tab)Source: Hawaii DCCA, about the department (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
State chamber of commerce
Chamber of Commerce Hawaii
Speaks for business statewide through its policy team and Military Affairs Council, and runs training and resilience resources for small businesses.
Visit Chamber of Commerce Hawaii (opens in a new tab)Source: Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
7. Worth knowing
Logistics and border performance
The Department of Transportation received a US$40.1 million federal grant for a US$56.1 million cargo yard expansion at the Port of Kahului, Maui's only commercial port.
What to do: Check the Harbors Division's notices for works at your port before you schedule Maui shipments.
Source: Hawaii Harbors Division, Port of Kahului grant, October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Export program funding
The Hawaii State Trade Expansion Program's federal share is US$195,000 for FY 2026, down from US$500,000 for FY 2025.
What to do: Check the program page for the current year's company assistance terms before you budget for an export project.
Source: Hawaii BDSD, HiSTEP program page (opens in a new tab) · as of November 4, 2026
Across the United States: see Worth knowing in Export from the United States
8. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Hawaii project.
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Promote:Hawaii is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of November 4, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.