French Polynesia

Specific Information

Telecommunications and radio equipment. Telephones, telex machines, fax machines, and all transmitter-receiver equipment must bear EEC approval before they can be used in French Polynesia. These items must be submitted to the relevant authority for authorization. Customs may destroy or dispose of non-approved equipment. Allow approximately 2 additional days for clearance of these items following confirmation of EEC approval.

Language. All inventories must be in French and valued in euros (or XPF equivalent).

ISPM 15. All wood packaging materials must comply with ISPM 15 and bear the appropriate treatment mark.

Duties & Taxes

6-month ownership rule. Every item owned by the importer for less than 6 months at the time of the shipment's arrival in French Polynesia is subject to customs duty based on CIF value. Only goods owned for 6 months or more qualify for duty-free transfer-of-residence treatment.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• Original registration card
• Copy of the owner's driver's licence
• Original purchase invoice
• Non-sale certificate
• EUR 1 movement certificate (if vehicle is of EU origin)

Specific Information

French Polynesia drives on the right. Vehicles must meet local roadworthiness requirements before registration. Vehicles of EU origin with an EUR 1 certificate benefit from preferential tariff treatment.

Contact the destination agent for current duty rates, which are assessed on CIF value and vary by vehicle type and age. French Polynesia's local tariff schedules are separate from metropolitan France and subject to revision by the Polynesian government.

Pets

• ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit microchip (or legible tattoo) **From rabies-free countries:**
• Import permit from the relevant authority, obtained in advance **From rabies-free countries:**
• Health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian, endorsed by a government veterinarian, confirming the pet has resided in the rabies-free country for 6 months prior to export; crate seal number must appear on the certificate **From rabies-free countries:**
• Two parasite treatments (internal and external) within 30 days of entry, at least 14 days apart, with the second treatment within 4 days of transport **From rabies-free countries:**
• Notification of arrival provided in advance **From rabies-free countries:**
• ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit microchip (or legible tattoo; microchip must precede rabies vaccination) **From non-rabies-free countries:**
• Rabies vaccination administered after microchipping, after 3 months of age, and more than 6 months before entry; must be current **From non-rabies-free countries:**
• Rabies titer test (FAVN recommended) administered at an OIE-approved laboratory, no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination, and between 3 months and 12 months before entry; original results required for import permit application **From non-rabies-free countries:**
• Import permit obtained in advance; a quarantine reservation certificate confirming the 3-month post-vaccination/titer-test delay has been respected must accompany the permit application **From non-rabies-free countries:**
• Health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within a short period before departure, endorsed by a government veterinarian; crate seal number must appear on the certificate **From non-rabies-free countries:**
• Two parasite treatments (internal and external) within 30 days of entry, at least 14 days apart, with the second treatment within 4 days of transport **From non-rabies-free countries:**

Important: French Polynesia has a strict biosecurity regime. The country classification system determines the requirements applicable to each pet. Pets must not transit through any country not classified as rabies-free. Crates must be sealed by government officials in the originating country.

No quarantine if compliant. Pets meeting all requirements are not subject to quarantine. Non-compliant pets will be quarantined, returned to the origin country, or euthanized at the importer's expense.

Minimum age. Puppies and kittens must be a minimum of 10 months of age to complete the full process and enter French Polynesia. Pets under 3 months of age cannot be vaccinated for rabies.

Port of entry. Pets entering by air must arrive at Fa'a'ā International Airport in Tahiti. Advance notification of arrival is required. Pets entering by private boat require prior approval from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Sealed crates. Crates must be sealed by government officials in the originating country. The seal number must be recorded on the health certificate.

Leishmaniasis screening. Dogs that have lived in a country affected by leishmaniasis within the 6 months prior to entry must present a negative screening test result within 30 days of entry, regardless of vaccination status.

Restricted breeds. The following breeds require a pedigree certificate issued by an FCI-recognised organisation to enter French Polynesia: American Staffordshire Terrier, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Broholmer, German Mastiff, Majorca Mastiff, Bordeaux Mastiff, Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Italian Cane Corso, and Tosa.

Other animals. Birds, reptiles, amphibians, rodents, and rabbits are not subject to rabies requirements but require an import permit and health certificate. CITES-protected species require additional permits.

CITES. Exotic pets, parrots, turtles, and other protected species are subject to CITES controls. Verify before shipping.

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