Customs formalities

    On arrival, yachts are imported duty free for a period of one year that can be renewed once for valid reasons.

    Arms and amunitions are accepted in transit after proper declaration. They must be stored in a closed locker and are subject to sealing by Customs officers.

    Quantities of wine and alcohol accepted duty free on arrival are 2 liters of wine + 2 liters of Alcohol under 22° or 1 liter of Alcohol over 22° for each crew and passenger over 18 on board on arrival in French Polynesia. Consumption over these limits is subject to payment of Customs duties. All alcohol on board over these limits is subject to sealing by Customs officers.

    A Customs declaration form is provided by Gendarmerie officers in the first call port, to be returned to Customs in Papeete by mail.

Make sure to declare all arms, alcohols, tobacco, animals, plants, specimens of endangered species, coral, and other goods on board.

Plaisance Duty free fuel can be obtained all over French Polynesia with a special Customs form to be filled in Papeete with Customs. See the Duty free fuel section.

Cheaper export Duty free fuel can be obtained in Papeete port and at Marina Taina just before departure with a port departure clearance. See the Duty free fuel section.

Spare parts can be imported duty free. Make sure to have them marked as Ship's spares in transit, C/O TAHITI OCEAN, Marina Taina, PK9 - TAHITI - French Polynesia.

It is not possible to buy duty free goods before departure. Some goods can be exported duty free by air.

DO NOT PLAY WITH FRENCH CUSTOMS

IT'S NOT WORTH THE GAME !

Declare ALL arms, amunitions, wines, liquors, tobacco and other goods on board.

Health

There is no compulsory vaccination for Tahiti. Neither are there any endemic diseases in French Polynesia. Dengue fever is spread by mosquito bites but is harmless. Filariosis is also spread by mosquitos but will only appear after many years of heavy biting.

 

Importing animals is prohibited but the transit on board of dogs, cats or other pets is allowed after proper declaration. To land them ashore, an authorization must be requested well in advance with the Minister of agriculture (PO Box 100 Papeete - TAHITI). Animal meat or skins must not be landed ashore.

To avoid introduction of the Rhinoceros beetle and other bugs which have infested many Coconut groves around the world, phytosanitary police will treat all boats having called at infested countries (Australia, Central and south America, Coco islands, Florida, Fiji, Samoas, Tonga) before arrival in French Polynesia. In such case, yachts must not enter the first port of call at night.

To fight against the introduction of fruit flies which could destroy local crops and endanger our agriculture, yachts are kindly requested to throw all fresh fruits over board before arriving in French Polynesia. Please also declare all plants on board on arrival so that appropriate treatment can be applied by sanitary authorities.