{"id":19214,"date":"2024-03-11T09:07:32","date_gmt":"2024-03-11T19:07:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.service-public.pf\/dpam\/?page_id=19214"},"modified":"2026-05-28T11:49:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T21:49:45","slug":"i-would-like-to-organize-my-arrival-by-sea-in-french-polynesia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.service-public.pf\/dpam\/i-would-like-to-organize-my-arrival-by-sea-in-french-polynesia\/","title":{"rendered":"I would like to organize my arrival by sea in French Polynesia"},"content":{"rendered":"

I would like to organize my arrival by sea in French Polynesia<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/pre><\/h1><\/div>
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You want to come to French Polynesia by sea<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>
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ARRIVAL CONDITIONS BY SEA<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>
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Before leaving
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<\/i><\/i><\/span>Conditions of admission for people<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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To be admitted to French Polynesia, any foreign national who is not a European Union national must be able to present a valid visa at the border if their nationality is subject to this obligation. The type of visa required to enter French Polynesia depends on both the duration and the reasons of the stay:<\/span><\/p>\n
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– for a stay equal to or less than 90 days (3 months), the requested visa is a short stay visa<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
– for a stay of more than 90 days (3 months), the requested visa is a long-stay visa adapted to the duration and reasons of the stay.<\/span><\/p>\n
For more information on the conditions of entry, stay or work (authorization or work permit) in French Polynesia, you can consult the website of the High Commission of the Republic in French Polynesia (http:\/\/www .polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr)<\/span><\/p>\n
Note that all passengers must have a valid passport for at least 6 months after the planned date of departure from French Polynesia.<\/span><\/p>\n
Pleasure vessels arriving by sea from abroad must dock in ports, bays or harbors, known as \u201cfirst touch\u201d ports, to complete entry formalities into Polynesian territory : customs, immigration and biosecurity.<\/span><\/p>\n
The islands and ports in which these formalities can be carried out are the following ones :<\/span><\/p>\n
Iles du Vent : <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Tahiti \u2014 Papeete<\/span><\/p>\n
Moorea \u2014 Afareaitu<\/span><\/p>\n
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Iles Sous-le-Vent :<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Raiatea \u2014 Uturoa<\/span><\/p>\n
Huahine \u2014 Fare<\/span><\/p>\n
Bora Bora \u2014 Vaitape<\/span><\/p>\n
Iles Marquises\u00a0:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Nuku Hiva \u2014 Taiohae<\/span><\/p>\n
Ua Pou \u2014 Hakahau<\/span><\/p>\n
Hiva Oa \u2014 Atuona<\/span><\/p>\n
Iles Ausrales :<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Tubuai \u2014 Mataura<\/span><\/p>\n
Rurutu Moerai<\/span><\/p>\n
Raivavae Raima<\/span><\/p>\n
Iles Tuamotu-Gambier :<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Rangiroa Tiputa<\/span><\/p>\n
Mangareva \u2014 Rikitea<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Conditions of admission for vessels<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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The owner or users of a pleasure vessel wishing to access the internal waters of French Polynesia have to declare themselves to the Polynesian Directorate of Maritime Affairs.<\/span><\/p>\n
It is strongly recommended that owners of pleasure vessels wishing to sail in Polynesia hold a civil liability insurance certificate covering the costs of grounding or removal of a grounded vessel and to maintain this insurance active throughout their stay in our islands.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
All pleasure vessels are asked to make themselves known via the <\/span>teleservice ESCALES :  https:\/\/escales.gov.pf\/home<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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\nMANAGEMENT UNIT
\nSTOPOVERS
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SCHEDULES<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
7:30 am – 1 pm <\/span>
\n(without appointment)<\/span>
\n1 pm – 3:30 pm<\/span>
\n(only with appointment)<\/span><\/p>\n
CONTACT<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Phone : 40.54.45.30<\/span>
\nescales.dpam@administr<\/span>ation.gov.pf<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>
CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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TELESERVICE ESCALES<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Before arriving<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>
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<\/i><\/i><\/span>Customs and border control formalities<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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The owner or user of a pleasure vessel is required to make an entry and exit declaration to the Border Police and Customs.<\/span><\/p>\n
To do this, a single pleasure craft declaration must be completed. The drafting can be anticipated in order to have, upon validation by the State services, the authorization to enter the Territory.<\/span><\/p>\n
It is accessible online <\/span>: https:\/\/www.demarches-simplifiees.fr\/commencer\/declaration-unique-plaisance-polynesie-francaise<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Health formalities<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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All ships (cruises, yachts or pleasure boats) must submit a maritime health declaration (DMS) at least forty-eight (48) hours before arrival. The captain must indicate the state of health of the people on board, specifying any symptoms observed (fever, cough, etc). <\/span><\/p>\n
The DMS must be submitted to the health surveillance department of the Directorate of Health at the following address : veille.sanitaire.arass@administration.gov.pf<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
When arriving
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<\/i><\/i><\/span>Customs' formalities<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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If your port of first arrival is located in Tahiti or Moorea, customs formalities must be carried out at the PAPEETE PORT office. <\/span><\/p>\n
If you make your first landing on another of the authorized islands, the formalities are completed with the territorial gendarmerie brigade. <\/span><\/p>\n
For more information you can contact the Regional Customs Directorate of French Polynesia<\/span><\/p>\n
Mail : drpolynesie@douane.finances.gouv.fr<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
Phone : + (689) 40 50 55 50<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Border control formalities<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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If your port of first arrival is located in Tahiti or Moorea, border control formalities must be carried out at the office of the Territorial Border Police Service (STPAF) in Faa\u2019a (Tahiti Faa\u2019a Airport). <\/span><\/p>\n
You must present the passports and\/or entry visas of each crew member, the registration certificate of your vessel and the certificate of submission of your file (single form). <\/span><\/p>\n
For more information you can contact the STPAF.<\/span><\/p>\n
Mail : dtpn987-stpaf-poste@interieur.gouv.fr<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
dtpn987-stpaf-usg@interieur.gouv.fr<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
Phone: + (689) 40 80 06 00<\/span><\/p>\n
If you make your first landing on another of the authorized islands, these checks are carried out at the same time as the customs formalities with the territorial gendarmerie brigade. <\/span><\/p>\n
Note that all passengers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months after the planned date of departure from French Polynesia.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Formalities and instructions related to biosecurity<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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In order to prevent the accidental introduction of insects, diseases or invasive species that could devastate the environment or agriculture of French Polynesia, no landing of food, plants, plant products, wooden objects, animals and animal products may be done before an authorization is issued. <\/span><\/p>\n
All animals must be placed in isolation and locked up. If an animal is on the ship or in the event of the death of an animal on board, the animal health unit must be contacted prior to disembarkation at +689 40 540 100 or by email at the address : <\/span>zoo.dbs@biosecurite.gov.pf<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
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Do not throw waste or food overboard while you are in French Polynesian waters. Waste must be stored carefully on board until instructions on its removal are given to you by agents from the phytosanitary unit if you are in Tahiti or from the local branch of the Department of Agriculture if you are find on an island other than Tahiti.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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Keep your vessel free of rodents (rats, mice) and insects. Report any presence of ants to the phytosanitary unit by calling +689 40 54 45 85. <\/span><\/p>\n
When the ship arrives, particularly if it comes from a country infested with coconut quarantine insects, a specific questionnaire must be completed. <\/span><\/p>\n
Fruits or fruit-vegetables will be recorded, enclosed and provided with a seal. <\/span><\/p>\n
For more information you can consult the biosecurity department website:<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Voiliers \u2013 Yacht \u2013 Navires de croisi\u00e8res \u2013 Biosecurite de la Polyn\u00e9sie fran\u00e7aise (service-public.pf)<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
The stay in French Polyn\u00e9sia
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<\/i><\/i><\/span>Temporary admission<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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The stay of a vessel under the temporary admission regime allows boaters to navigate in Polynesian waters with total exemption from duties and taxes. This plan is valid for a maximum period of 24 months. It is only renewable after a minimum period of 6 months spent outside Polynesian waters.<\/span><\/p>\n
If ship owners wish to extend their stay, they will have to pay the related duties and taxes.<\/span><\/p>\n
To benefit from this regime, the owner or user of the vessel :<\/span><\/p>\n
– must not be a resident in French Polynesia or not become so during his stay in French Polynesia,<\/span><\/p>\n
– must not carry out any gainful activity on Polynesian territory.<\/span><\/p>\n
And<\/strong><\/span> the ship:<\/span><\/p>\n
– must be registered outside the customs territory of French Polynesia,<\/span><\/p>\n
– must be the property of a natural or legal person established outside the customs territory of French Polynesia,<\/span><\/p>\n
– not be the subject of commercial use, loan, rental,<\/span><\/p>\n
– may be sold upon reasoned request to the customs service :<\/span><\/p>\n
– to a resident buyer: after the regulatory sales formalities, the buyer carries out the release for consumption,<\/span><\/p>\n
– to a non-resident buyer : the temporary admission period is not modified.<\/span><\/p>\n
Failure to comply with even one of these conditions results in losing the benefit of the temporary admission (TA) regime to the ship.<\/span><\/p>\n
In case of doubt or questions regarding the regularity of the vessel’s situation, the \u00ab\u00a0business advisory unit\u00a0\u00bb of the Regional Customs Directorate can be contacted :<\/span><\/p>\n
Opening hours : 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. <\/span><\/p>\n
Phone : (689) 40 50 55 58<\/p>\n
Fax : (689) 40 43 55 45<\/p>\n
Mail : cce-polynesie@douane.finances.gouv.fr<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Release for consumption (ou papeetisation)<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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At the end of the 24-month period of temporary admission, if the owner of the ship wishes to establish himself in French Polynesia or for any other reason excluding the ship from the temporary admission regime, the ship must be cleared through customs at from the customs office of the port of Papeete (tel : + (689) 40 50 55 73).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Stopovers<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
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