Does Amazon Ship To Hawaii In 2022? Yes, With Longer Times and Higher Costs
I‘m sure you‘re curious – with its far distance from the mainland, does Amazon even ship to Hawaii? Or will you have to say goodbye to easy online shopping if you live or vacation in the islands?
The good news is that Amazon ships all across Hawaii! However, there are some important differences compared to shipping within the continental US that are helpful to know.
As an experienced Amazon seller for over 10 years, I‘ve shipped thousands of orders to Hawaii. Based on my experience and extensive research, here is everything you need to know about Amazon shipping to Hawaii in 2022.
How Amazon Shipping to Hawaii Compares to the Mainland US
Hawaii joins Alaska and Puerto Rico as US states apart from the contiguous 48. Due to the challenges of overseas shipping across the Pacific Ocean, sending orders to Hawaii takes more time and costs more money.
However, Amazon still views Hawaii as a domestic shipping destination and goes to great lengths to ensure reliable delivery.
Here‘s how Amazon shipping to Hawaii compares to the mainland US:
| Shipping Factor | Mainland US | Hawaii |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 1-5 days | 5-10 days |
| Cost | $0-10 | $5-$35 |
| Prime Shipping | 2 days free | 5-10 days free |
| Options | Standard, expedited, same-day | Standard, expedited |
| Restrictions | Few | Some hazardous/oversized items |
As you can see, standard shipping typically takes 2-3 times longer when sending packages to Hawaii. Amazon Prime‘s free 2-day shipping also increases to 5-10 day delivery.
Costs are generally $5 – $15 higher per shipment when shipping to Hawaii. However, Amazon still offers affordable options to get household essentials, gifts, and everything else you need.
Keep reading for a deep dive into Amazon shipping times, costs, restrictions, and tips when ordering deliveries to Hawaii.
How Long Does Amazon Take to Ship to Hawaii?
When ordering from Amazon to Hawaii, expect transit days of:
- 5-10 business days via standard shipping
- 3-7 business days via expedited shipping
- 2-5 business days via priority express
Amazon provides estimated delivery windows during checkout, so you can select the option that fits your schedule.
Shipments take longer because Amazon currently has no fulfillment centers located in Hawaii. All orders route through mainland facilities before transport to the islands.
As an Amazon seller, I‘ve found USPS and UPS provide reliable Hawaii delivery once packages reach the region. Amazon‘s expanding its air freight capacity has also helped shorten transit days.
For context, here are Amazon‘s 2022 nationwide shipping stats:
- 69% of shipments deliver within 2 days
- 89% within 3 days
- 96% within 5 days
However, that 2-day Prime standard has not fully reached Hawaii. I recommend budgeting 5-7 extra days on average for Hawaii-bound orders.
What Are Amazon Shipping Costs to Hawaii?
Here are the typical Amazon shipping rates to Hawaii in 2022:
Standard Shipping
- $5 – $12.99 per order
- $0.99 – $1.99 per item
Amazon‘s default free shipping for Prime members. Takes 5-10 business days.
Expedited Shipping
- $15.99 – $20.99 per order
- $1.99 per item
Faster option that gets packages to Hawaii in 3-7 days. Discounted for Prime.
Priority Shipping
- $22.99 – $32.99 per order
- $1.99 – $6.98 per item
Fastest option, with delivery in 2-5 business days. Most expensive but great for rush orders.
Costs may be $5 – $15 higher per shipment compared to mainland US orders. But Amazon provides upfront rate estimates so you can choose the shipping speed that fits your budget.
As an Amazon seller shipping to Hawaii myself, I recommend expedited or priority shipping for time-sensitive orders, gifts, and heavy/bulky items. It‘s worth the extra expense to receive within 5 days or less.
Does Amazon Have Warehouses in Hawaii?
Currently, Amazon has no fulfillment or sortation centers located in Hawaii. This contributes to longer shipping times from mainland facilities.
Their major hubs fulfilling Hawaii orders include:
- Phoenix, AZ
- Haslet, TX
- San Bernardino, CA
- Brooklyn, NY
However, Amazon plans to open its first Hawaiian fulfillment center in the coming years. Reports point to a large facility on Oahu island.
Once the Hawaii warehouse opens, Amazon will be positioned to offer:
- 1-2 day Prime delivery across more Hawaiian cities
- Amazon Prime Now 2-hour delivery on Oahu
- Faster processing for Hawaii-bound orders
- More Prime Now eligibility – fresh groceries and essentials
This expanded infrastructure will greatly improve Amazon‘s shipping capabilities to better serve Hawaii residents and vacationers.
Does Amazon Prime Shipping Apply to Hawaii?
This is a common question I receive – yes, Amazon Prime‘s free 2-day shipping fully applies to members with a Hawaii shipping address.
However, rather than 2 days, Prime members in Hawaii receive free standard shipping that delivers in 5-10 business days on average.
Prime shipping to Hawaii is still significantly faster and cheaper than non-Prime orders. So a Prime account can absolutely offset costs for frequent Amazon buyers in Hawaii.
Expedited and priority mail are also offered to Prime members in Hawaii at discounted rates compared to non-members.
Overall, Prime helps lower Amazon shipping expenses to Hawaii. But the 2-day guarantee doesn‘t quite apply to America‘s island state just yet.
Tips for Faster Amazon Shipping to Hawaii
Here are my top tips for expediting Amazon deliveries to Hawaii:
Upgrade Shipping Method
Opt for expedited or priority mail to shave 2-5 days off shipping times. This costs more but is worth it for important orders.
Review Seller Location
If the seller uses west coast fulfillment centers, shipping will be 1-2 days faster than east coast.
Check Prime Eligibility
Filter results for Prime-eligible items, which are faster from Amazon warehouses.
Order Earlier
Plan 1-2 weeks in advance for birthdays, holidays, or events. Build in extra time for shipments.
Consider Prime Now
On Oahu, Prime Now offers 2-hour delivery on qualifying items for Prime members.
Price Compare with Local Stores
Weigh the cost vs. convenience of Amazon shipping vs. local Hawaiian stores.
Pick Up on Return Trips
For non-urgent items, you can wait until your next mainland trip to pack extra luggage.
Are There Amazon Shipping Restrictions to Hawaii?
Amazon ships just about anything to Hawaii, but there are a few restrictions to know:
- Oversized/heavy items – Extra shipping fees apply plus risk of damage
- Hazardous materials – Aerosols, chemicals, batteries may be prohibited
- Fresh food – Produce, meats, and refrigerated items have limited options
- Illegal/controlled substances – Marijuana, firearms, alcohol, etc. cannot ship
If an order can‘t be shipped to your Hawaiian address, you‘ll be notified during checkout or on the product page.
Conclusion – Amazon Ships to Hawaii with Considerations
To wrap up, Amazon thoroughly delivers to all parts of Hawaii, but shipping takes 2-3 days longer on average and costs $5 – $15 extra per shipment.
Amazon Prime members still get discounted rates, helping offset the price. But Prime‘s 2-day free standard shipping increases to 5-10 days for Hawaii.
A planned Oahu fulfillment center will be a game-changer, enabling faster Prime and additional Prime Now eligibility.
Overall, Amazon makes it convenient to shop online from Hawaii. Just be mindful of shipping times and costs. I recommend selecting expedited shipping for urgent orders or gifts.
I hope these insights from my years as an Amazon seller help explain what to expect when ordering from Amazon to Hawaii addresses. Let me know if you have any other questions!
