Sailing in French Polynesia: Procedures and Papeetisation

In the Pacific Ocean, French Polynesia extends over a vast territory whose size could be compared to that of Europe: 2.5 million km²! This incredible destination is composed of five archipelagos: the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Islands, the Austral Islands, the Marquesas, and the Gambier Islands. Together, these archipelagos bring together 118 islands and an incredible diversity. From deserted atolls to white sand beaches, from higher islands to steep mountains and tropical forests... magnificent landscapes that have, quite rightly, always attracted sailors from all horizons.

Are you also planning to explore this exceptional territory? Then this new article from Bateau-immatriculation.com on the administrative procedures to complete in French Polynesia should interest you.

Boat administrative procedures to complete for a stay in French Polynesia

Arriving by sea for a cruise in French Polynesia

You already have a vessel in another territory and you plan to join French Polynesia by sea? Whether you arrive via the trade winds route, after taking the Panama Canal, or from the West, from New Zealand or the Fiji Islands, the administrative procedures to complete will be the same.

In the Marquesas, the Gambier Islands, or the Society Islands, upon your arrival in French Polynesia, you will need to go to the Customs office to declare your entry into the Polynesian territory. Some islands do not have one. In this case, you will need to report to the Gendarmerie, where officers can complete your entry administrative procedures.

You will fill out a Customs declaration and a Temporary Pleasure Admission declaration, or "Bona Fides", which will allow you to legally import your boat into the territory for a specified period.

The customs authorities will issue you a supporting document specifying your entry date into the Polynesian territory, and you may be asked to sail towards Papeete, on the island of Tahiti, so that your vessel can be inspected by the customs authorities.

Your admission will be granted for a period of up to 24 consecutive months. There are special cases: for vessels with a hull length of 24 meters or more, the maximum length of stay is extended to 36 months.

Are exemptions possible to extend the Temporary Pleasure Admission period?

You are reaching the end of your Temporary Pleasure Admission period in French Polynesia and you want to know the possibilities of spending more time on the Polynesian territory? It should be known that Decree 991 CM of 09/07/20 provides for a few exceptions.

The maximum length of stay, of 24 or 36 months depending on the case, can indeed be extended in case of force majeure. A serious illness or major damage that would require your boat to be immobilized, for example, are cases in which an extension of your temporary admission could be granted. This could be for up to 3 consecutive months.

The request for an exemption must be submitted in writing to the Customs office. You will not be authorized to stay longer on the Polynesian territory before obtaining express authorization from the head of the Customs service.

Can you leave and re-enter the Polynesian territory to extend your stay?

If you are planning to leave French Polynesia with your vessel to re-enter and thus extend your stay in Polynesian waters, there are several elements to consider.

Your temporary admission can indeed be renewed, subject to meeting certain conditions. If your boat has a hull length of less than 24 meters, in particular, you will need to stay outside the territory for at least 6 months, starting from the date of filing the declaration of departure from the Polynesian territory. You will need to be able to present both proof of your departure from French Polynesia, and proof of your entry into a foreign territory during this same period.

How to take advantage of the customs and tax exemption on spare parts?

When sailing in French Polynesia, during the temporary import period of your boat, it is possible to request to take advantage of the customs and tax exemption on certain purchases made. You will thus be able to acquire all the parts that will allow you to repair your vessel with tax exemption, or tax-free. The Temporary Admission Declaration, or Bonas Fides, is the paper that will serve you to justify that your boat is in a temporary import situation.

The administrative procedures to papeetise a boat

What is the papeetisation of a boat? When is it mandatory?

We have seen, therefore, that non-resident pleasure boaters in French Polynesia could benefit from an entry with a two or three-year exemption, starting from their date of first arrival on the Polynesian territory.

Beyond this Temporary Pleasure Admission period, if they wish to continue staying on the Polynesian territory, the pleasure boat owner is required to proceed with the papeetisation of their boat. This is also the case if they become a Polynesian resident during their stay, if they work on the territory, or if they wish to carry out other activities than pleasure activities on board their vessel (commercial operation, loan, rental...).

The Bona Fides declaration is no longer enough, and you must necessarily papeetise the motorboat or sailboat. In other words, you must clear the vessel through customs and pay the customs duties and taxes associated with it.

Is papeetisation with a French flag possible? What is the papeetisation of a boat?

Papeetisation is an import declaration of the vessel, which does not require the owner of a vessel to proceed with a change of flag. A papeetised vessel can perfectly keep its French or foreign flag! On the other hand, in case of commercial use of the vessel by its owner, for professional purposes, the boat will have to be operated under the Polynesian flag.

How to papeetise my boat?

The customs declaration of placing your vessel into consumption, or the boat declaration at import, will be carried out by a customs broker. You will need to define the declared value of your unit: this will be taken into account and will determine the duties and taxes you will have to pay to proceed with the customs clearance of your boat.

Where to go to papeetise my boat?

You can proceed with the import declaration of your vessel in a dematerialized way. The procedure is generally carried out with the help of a freight forwarder, directly in Papeete, on the island of Tahiti. The presence of the vessel is not essential but, in the absence of the boat, some additional information may be requested by the authorities.

What papers do I need to present to papeetise my vessel?

If you wish to proceed with the import declaration of your unit, you will need to compile a papeetisation file. Among the documents to provide, you will need to prepare copies of the vessel's papers, the customs entry in French Polynesia, and the identity documents of the owner or owners. To attest to the value of your vessel, you will also need to make available to the customs services a copy of the purchase deed, provide the conclusions of an official appraisal or the Argus value.

How long should I allow for papeetisation?

If you wish to papeetise your boat, you are surely concerned about the processing time required for your file. Good news: unlike other administrative procedures that can be particularly long, the procedure of papeetisation of a boat is normally very fast. Thus, once your complete file is submitted to the competent authorities, the declaration is, as a rule, immediate. Hence the interest of gathering the different necessary documents well.

What is the price of this administrative procedure?

The price of the papeetisation of a vessel depends on the boat concerned. Thus, the price charged to papeetise a 3.50-meter motorboat will not be the same, for example, as that for proceeding with the papeetisation of a 40-meter long sailboat.

The duties and taxes to be regularized include the following elements:

• The Tax for the Environment, Agriculture and Fishing (TEAP): 2% of the value of the vessel
• The Statistical Tax per quintal (TS): €0.42 per quintal
• The Customs Computer Participation (PID): €0.71
• The Value Added Tax (VAT): 5% of the value of the vessel

Note that the payment of the papeetisation fees will be made in Pacific francs, the currency in force in French Polynesia

I am a French resident with a boat bought tax-free, do I have to pay VAT on the papeetisation of my vessel?

Since Polynesia is an Overseas Country, if you bought a vessel in France tax-free (HT), the Value Added Tax (VAT) will not be charged to you.

If you bought a boat in another territory, in the United States, in the Caribbean or in South America, for example, and you want to go to French Polynesia, you can keep the tax-free status of your vessel by choosing a flag adapted, on one hand, to your sailing program, and on the other hand, to the specificities of the administrative situation of your boat.

The team at Bateau-immatriculation.com is at your disposal to present the possible options and take care of the completion of all procedures, up to the obtaining of your new flag.

The team at Bateau-immatriculation.com is at your disposal to present the possible options and take care of the completion of all procedures, up to the obtaining of your new flag.

For all the administrative procedures of your vessel, think of Bateau-immatriculation.com

Are you planning a short or long-term boat trip in French Polynesia, or are you planning to settle on the territory? Whatever your situation, the experts at Bateau-immatriculation.com can help you. Contact our team without delay and take advantage of our advice, an orientation towards approved local operators or a complete takeover of your file. Go sailing, we'll take care of your papers!

Article written by the team at Bateau-immatriculation.com, a service specialized in the administrative procedures of pleasure boats. Last updated: November 2026.