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MoreThis guide compiles French Polynesia customs regulations for importing and exporting household goods and personal effects. It applies to shipments by sea or air, and is compiled from the latest FIDI and IAM guides. For reference only - please confirm details with your Seapoe consultant before shipping.
French Polynesia Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes
Documents
Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.
Required Documents- Packing list
- Copy of valid passport
- Original bill of lading (OBL; no express/telex release accepted) or air waybill (AWB)
- Original inventory in French, dated, valued, and signed by the owner of the goods
- Invoices for electrical and hi-fi appliances, including any items purchased less than 6 months prior to the shipment's arrival
- Residence permit, work permit, or letter of employment confirming the start of a new contract in French Polynesia
- Non-sale certificate
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
Prohibited Items- Narcotics and controlled substances
- Firearms and ammunition without prior authorisation from the territorial administration
- Telecommunications equipment lacking EEC approval (subject to seizure and destruction)
- Pets from non-approved countries of origin transiting through rabies-positive countries
- Species protected under CITES without valid permits
- Pornographic materials involving minors
- Goods subject to French or international sanctions applicable to French overseas collectivities
French Polynesia operates its own tariff schedule independent of France. All imports are subject to local duties unless specifically exempted. Items of particular note:
- Firearms and ammunition: require a special permit from the territorial administration prior to import; subject to duty
- Telecommunications equipment (telephones, telex, fax, transmitter-receivers): must bear EEC approval for use in French Polynesia; submitted to authorisation on arrival; unapproved equipment may be destroyed
- New goods and electrical items: any item owned less than 6 months is dutiable on CIF value; invoices required
- Alcohol and tobacco: subject to local excise duties; confirm thresholds with the destination agent
- Medications: personal-use quantities permitted with appropriate documentation; controlled substances require additional authorisation
- Plant material and foodstuffs: subject to phytosanitary inspection; some items restricted under biosecurity rules
- Currency: large amounts must be declared; confirm thresholds with the destination agent
Contact the DICP (service-public.pf/dicp) or the destination agent for current tariff rates by commodity code.
Special Categories
Country ClassificationsRabies-free countries (pets resident here for at least 6 months qualify for simplified requirements): Australia, Bahrain, Barbados, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Guam, Hawaii, Iceland, Japan, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Singapore, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.
All other countries are classified as non-rabies-free and are subject to full requirements including a rabies titer test.
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air and sea shipments.
French Polynesia is served primarily by sea through the port of Papeete (on Tahiti) and by air via Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT). The port of Papeete handles the bulk of household goods freight. Inter-island shipping within French Polynesia is provided by local operators; confirm current schedules and costs with the destination agent if the final destination is not Tahiti.
All inventories must be in French and valued in euros or XPF. New items must be separately inventoried and accompanied by original invoices. The non-sale certificate must be included for all shipments.
The 6-month ownership rule is strictly applied. Items purchased in the months immediately before relocation that cannot be evidenced as owned for 6 months will be assessed duty on CIF value. Importers should retain purchase documentation for all electrical and hi-fi items regardless of age.
Telecommunications and radio equipment will cause delays if EEC approval documentation is not included from origin. Do not pack these items without first confirming compliance with the destination agent.
Papeete port handling and storage costs can accumulate quickly. Ensure all documentation is complete before the shipment departs.