Clearing customs in French Polynesia is a straightforward process compared to many Pacific Island nations, but the paperwork requirements are specific and the rules around bond deposits have changed significantly in recent years. Getting it right before you arrive saves time, money, and the frustration of anchoring off a beautiful motu while officials sort out missing documents aboard.
This guide covers the current entry procedure as of 2022, including required documents, official ports of entry, the bond or Titre de Séjour requirement, and practical tips for the check-in process.
Official Ports of Entry
French Polynesia recognizes five official ports of entry for yachts:
Marquesas:
- Nuku Hiva — Taiohae Bay is the primary Marquesan entry port. Customs and immigration are located at the gendarmerie in the village, a short walk from the dinghy dock.
- Hiva Oa — Atuona is the second Marquesan option, with the gendarmerie near the town center.
Tuamotus:
- Rangiroa — Avatoru pass. The gendarmerie in Avatoru village handles check-in, though wait times can vary significantly. See our Tuamotu navigation guide for pass timing and chart-accuracy notes before you arrive here.
Society Islands:
- Tahiti (Papeete) — The main port of entry for the Society Islands. Check-in at the Port Authority (Port Autonome de Papeete) main building, with immigration and customs offices on site.
- Bora Bora — Vaitape. A second Society Island entry option, with gendarmerie in the main village. See our Bora Bora sailing guide for the lagoon entry, mooring, and departure-clearance details specific to this port.
Most cruisers arriving from the Panama Canal or Mexico make landfall in the Marquesas, typically at Nuku Hiva or Hiva Oa. The passage from the Marquesas to Tahiti transits or visits the Tuamotus, after which crews typically check in again at Papeete if significant time has passed.
Required Documents
Prepare these documents before arriving at the gendarmerie:
For the vessel:
- Ships papers / certificate of registry
- Proof of insurance (hull and liability)
- The vessel’s departure papers from the last port of call
For each crew member:
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months remaining validity)
- Onward travel documentation (see Bond section below)
- Crew list (multiple copies — the gendarmerie typically wants three)
Recommended to bring:
- Zarpe (departure clearance) from last port of call
- Vaccination records if transiting from areas with specific health requirements
- Radio license and operator certificates
The Bond Requirement and Titre de Séjour
Historically, French Polynesia required yacht crew to post a bond equivalent to the cost of a one-way airfare back to their country of citizenship — the “billet de retour” guarantee. This requirement was designed to prevent crews from overstaying and becoming a burden on local resources.
The practical application of this requirement has evolved over time. Citizens of European Union countries, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and many other nations with existing visa arrangements with France may be exempt from the cash bond requirement, instead presenting their return air ticket or credit card authorization.
For cruisers planning an extended stay (beyond the initial 90-day visa-free period available to many nationals), the Titre de Séjour is the pathway to legal long-term residence. This is a separate immigration process handled through the Direction Générale des Affaires Intérieures (DGAI) in Papeete and requires documentation of financial resources, accommodation, and purpose of stay.
Practical note: Regulations in this area change. Before departure, consult the official French Polynesia immigration authority documentation and verify with the gendarmerie at your first port of entry. The official French Polynesian government portal maintains current requirements.
The Check-In Process
Day of arrival:
- Anchor or take a mooring and display your yellow quarantine Q flag.
- Do not allow crew ashore until clearance is complete (a rule that gendarmeries in the Marquesas enforce more actively than some other Pacific nations).
- Proceed to the gendarmerie with the vessel’s captain (skipper) and all required documents. Some ports require all crew to appear; others only the captain.
At the gendarmerie:
- Crew list will be processed and stamped.
- Passports examined and entry stamps applied.
- Bond or financial documentation reviewed if applicable.
- You will receive a cruising permit (autorisation de navigation) listing the islands you are cleared to visit.
The cruising permit is important — it specifies which archipelagos you are authorized to visit. If your itinerary changes after entry, return to a gendarmerie to update the permit.
Check-out (clearing out): You must obtain a zarpe (exit clearance) from the gendarmerie before departing French Polynesian waters. The zarpe lists your crew, vessel, and declared next port. Budget time for this process — gendarmerie office hours in smaller islands may be limited.
Practical Tips for Smooth Entry
Arrive on a weekday morning. Gendarmerie offices in the Marquesas typically operate weekday business hours. Weekend arrivals may mean waiting until Monday for formal clearance, with crew restricted to the vessel.
Have multiple copies of everything. French paperwork processes favor redundancy. Bring photocopies of passports, ships papers, and crew lists — typically three sets minimum.
Learn basic French courtesy phrases. Gendarmes are professional and accustomed to international yachts, but a polite “bonjour” and effort at the local language goes a long way.
Carry USD and local currency. Some fees may be payable only in XPF (CFP franc); others in USD. Check the current fee schedule before arrival — charges for the cruising permit and crew list processing are modest but variable.
Register with your country’s maritime authority before departing for French Polynesia. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has specific requirements for U.S.-flag vessels returning from foreign waters; similar requirements exist for Australian (Australian Border Force) and New Zealand flag vessels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can we stay in French Polynesia on a standard entry?
Citizens of many countries — including the United States, EU member states, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand — can stay in French Polynesia for up to 90 days without a visa. This 90-day period applies to the individual, not the vessel. Extensions require applying for a Titre de Séjour through local immigration authorities in Papeete.
Can we check in at an atoll in the Tuamotus rather than Nuku Hiva or Papeete?
Rangiroa’s Avatoru pass is an official port of entry, but practically, most cruisers arriving directly from offshore complete their check-in at Nuku Hiva or Hiva Oa first, then transit the Tuamotus. Attempting to check in at a non-designated port of entry creates legal complications and may result in fines.
What happens if crew members join or leave the vessel in French Polynesia?
Crew changes must be reported to the nearest gendarmerie and the cruising permit updated. New crew arriving by air will clear French immigration at Tahiti-Faaa Airport independently, but their addition to the vessel requires the captain to update the official crew list.
Is there a fee for the cruising permit?
Yes, modest administrative fees apply. The exact amount is set by the territorial government and subject to change. Budget for a nominal fee equivalent to approximately USD 30–60 per clearance as a general guide, and verify the current schedule before arrival.
Do we need to check in again when moving between archipelagos?
Your initial cruising permit specifies the archipelagos you are authorized to visit. In practice, moving from the Marquesas to the Tuamotus to the Society Islands does not require a separate check-in at each archipelago if your permit covers all three. However, confirm with the gendarmerie at your first port of entry that your intended itinerary is covered.