Sailing in French Polynesia: procedures and "papeetisation"

In the Pacific Ocean, French Polynesia spans a vast territory, the size of which could be compared to that of Europe: 2.5 million km²! This incredible destination consists of five archipelagos: the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Austral Islands, the Gambier Islands, and the Marquesas Islands. Together, these archipelagos comprise 118 islands and an incredible diversity. From deserted atolls with white sand beaches to taller islands with rugged mountains and tropical forests… magnificent landscapes that have, quite rightly, always attracted sailors from all walks of life.

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

Administrative boat procedures to carry out for a stay in French Polynesia

Arriving by sea for a cruise in French Polynesia

Do you already have a vessel in another territory and are you planning to reach French Polynesia by water? Whether you are arriving via the trade winds route, after having passed through the Panama Canal, or from the West, from New Zealand or the Fiji Islands, the administrative procedures to be carried out will be the same.

In the Marquesas, the Gambier, or the Society Islands, as soon as you arrive in French Polynesia, you must go to a Customs office to declare your entry into the Polynesian territory. Some islands do not have one. In this case, you will need to present yourself at the Gendarmerie, where officers can carry out your administrative entry procedures.

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

Customs authorities will give you a document stating your date of entry into the Polynesian territory, and you may be requested to sail to Papeete, on the island of Tahiti, so that your vessel can be inspected by customs authorities.

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

Are waivers possible to extend the Temporary Admission for Pleasure Craft period?

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

The maximum stay, of 24 or 36 months depending on the case, can indeed be extended in cases of force majeure. A serious illness or major damage requiring the immobilization of your boat, 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 a waiver must be sent by written request to the Customs office. You will not be authorized to remain longer in the Polynesian territory before obtaining express authorization from the head of the Customs department.

Can one leave and re-enter the Polynesian territory to extend one's 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 factors to take into account.

Your temporary admission can indeed be renewed, provided that certain conditions are met. If your boat has a hull length of less than 24 meters, in particular, you will have to stay at least 6 months outside the territory, counting from the date of filing the exit declaration from the Polynesian territory. You must be able to present both proof of your exit from French Polynesia and proof of your entry into a foreign territory during that same period.

How to benefit from customs duty and tax exemptions on spare parts?

When sailing in French Polynesia, during the period of temporary importation of your boat, it is possible to request to benefit from customs duty and tax exemptions on certain purchases made. You will thus be able to acquire all the parts that will allow you to repair your vessel tax-free or exempt from taxes. The Temporary Admission declaration, or Bona Fides, is the document that will serve to prove that your boat is in a situation of fixed-term importation.

Administrative procedures for "papeetisation" of 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 a tax-free entry for two or three years, starting from their date of first arrival in the Polynesian territory.

Beyond this period of Temporary Admission for Pleasure Craft, if the pleasure boater owning the vessel wishes to continue to stay in the Polynesian territory, they are 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 in the territory, or if they wish to engage in activities other than pleasure sailing on board their vessel (commercial operation, lending, rental, etc.).

The Bona Fides declaration is no longer sufficient, and the motorboat or sailboat must be "papeetised." In other words, the vessel must be cleared through customs, and the associated customs duties and taxes must be paid.

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

"Papeetisation" is a vessel import declaration, which does not force a vessel owner to change flags. A "papeetised" vessel can absolutely keep its French or foreign flag! However, in the event of commercial use of the vessel by its owner, for professional purposes, the boat must be operated under a Polynesian flag.

How do I "papeetise" my boat?

The customs declaration for releasing your vessel for home use, or boat import declaration, 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 clear your boat through customs.

Where should I go to "papeetise" my boat?

You can carry out the import declaration for your vessel electronically. 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 documents must be presented to "papeetise" my vessel?

If you wish to proceed with the import declaration for your unit, you will need to put together a "papeetisation" file. Among the documents to be provided, you will need to prepare copies of the ship's papers, the customs entry document in French Polynesia, and the identity documents of the owner(s). To attest to the value of your vessel, you must also make a copy of the bill of sale available to customs services, or provide the conclusions of an official appraisal or the Argus value.

What are the timeframes for "papeetisation"?

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

What is the cost of this administrative procedure?

The price of "papeetising" a vessel depends on the boat concerned. Thus, the price requested 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 settled include the following elements:

• Tax for the Environment, Agriculture, and Fisheries (TEAP): 2% of the vessel's value
• Statistical Tax per quintal (TS): €0.42 per quintal
• Customs IT Contribution (PID): €0.71
• Value Added Tax (VAT): 5% of the vessel's value

Please note that the payment of "papeetisation" fees will be made in Pacific francs, the currency in effect in French Polynesia.

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

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

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

The Bateau-immatriculation.com team is at your disposal to present you with the possible options and to take care of carrying out all the procedures, up until you obtain your new flag.

The Bateau-immatriculation.com team is at your disposal to present you with the possible options and to take care of carrying out all the procedures, up until you obtain your new flag.

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

Are you planning a short or long boat trip to French Polynesia, or are you thinking of settling in 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, guidance toward authorized local operators, or full handling of your file. Go sailing, we'll take care of your paperwork!