Checking into French Polynesia in the Marquesas

We recently made the crossing from Panama to French Polynesia (Nuku Hiva, The Marquesas) and there are quite a few steps that need to happen for clearing in.  Here they are in the order in which they should be completed. These were accurate as of May 2026.

Note: This is for those with and without a Long Stay Visa - the only step that changes in Step 7.

Clearing In Steps 

1. Fill out the entry form several days before arriving. You will need to create an account.
   https://demarche.numerique.gouv.fr/commencer/declaration-unique-plaisance-polynesie-francaise
2. Fill out the bio-security form 48 hours before arriving.
   https://www.mes-demarches.gov.pf/commencer/demande_arraisonnement_voiliers 
3. Technically, you are supposed to complete and submit the Maritime Health Declaration and email it.
   https://en.pf.yellowflagguides.com/arrival/obligations-and-formalities/ 
4. Create an account on Escales for you boat so you can register for a mooring/anchorage in the areas where this is required.
   https://escales.gov.pf/home 
5. Actually Clear In
   Upon Arrival, update the actual arrive date on your entry form and print it.
   Bring this to the Gendarmerie (Police) office with your passports.
   They will stamp your passport and the first page of the form.
   
   Note: You may need a return flight ticket if you do not have a long stay visa or if you are clearing in at Hiva Oa.  You can get one at onwardticket.com for $16 or purchase a refundable ticket and cancel before the refundable period expires.
6. Email Yann (Nuku Hiva) to schedule a Phytosecurity inspection upon arrival.
   He will visit your boat (you will have to pick him up at the dinghy dock and check for and collect any produce that presents a hazard to local produce and needs to be destroyed. 
   He speaks okay English and is very, very nice and also very, very large so you may want to come to get him with no extra people aboard your dinghy.
   Note: You are not supposed to dispose of any plant or animal matter in there waste, so it is best to go through your trash, remove these items and throw them overboard as you are crossing.
7. Email your stamped info 
   If you have a Long Stay Visa, you should have been given the name of a person to email when you arrive in French Polynesia.  They asked us for pictures of the stamps/passports, then confirmed receipt. etrangers@polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr 

As you travel around French Polynesia

You are supposed to return to the site in step one and update your entry form with each new place you stop and drop anchor, grab a mooring ball or tie up. Luckily it is very easy to do.

Pet Procedures 

If you are coming into French Polynesia with a pet, the process becomes a lot more complicated. 

**It is imperative that you start this permit application at least 2 months before departing**
The application can be edited with your clearance and entrance documents, etc as they are available. 

Here is a run-down of what you need:

• Official Identification Document
  For us, this needed to be a document that listed his name, information and his microchip ID number.
• Health Certificate from a Nationally Registered Vet
  This will include details on a lot of the following and indicate that the pet is safe to travel and enter.
• Rabies Vaccine
  They specify that it needs to be one year, but our cat has a 3 year vaccine and we believe it will be accepted once we get to Tahiti.
• Titer Test
  This needs to be tested 3 months after the rabies vaccine was administered.  Supposedly, if the vaccine is renewed with the same vaccine used the previous time and with no lapse, the titer test results are still accepted.  THIS IS RUMOR, VERIFY ON YOUR OWN!
• Anti-parasite (De-worming)
  This needs to be administered by a vet twice before you depart the originating country.
  1. Less than 30 days before leaving and effectively greater than 15 days before leaving, because...
  2. Less than 4 days before leaving and at least 15 days after the first round.

  Note, this can cause a severe reaction in pets (dizziness, lethargy, etc)  Chuck was very affected by this medicine and it was very troubling, but he recovered within 24 hours, but we felt terrible. 

• Dogs
• Leishmaniasis Screening Test Results
  By indirect immunofluoresence or ELISA.
• Photograph of the pet 
• Owners Identification
  Photo of Passport
• Declaration of Departure from Last Country 
  Regular clearing out documents
• Declaration of Arrival in French Polynesia
  Regular clearing in documents
• Application for the Pet Entry Process 
  Use this website: https://www.mes-demarches.gov.pf/commencer/import-chien-chat-bateau
• Payment of Permit Fee by Bank Transfer or Credit Card
  Payment is accepted on the website. Currently 5500 xpf  (about $53 / €46).
• Have the pet seen by a French Polynesian National Vet
  Upon arriving into French Polynesia, your pet will need to be seen by a vert before being allowed off your vessel.  
  You can either bring the pet to Tahiti, or try to work with other sailors to bring a vet to The Marquesas, etc and split the cost.
  For those with a pet that does not leave the boat, there does not seem to be a sense of urgency to this step.

Failure to complete these steps can result in a fine of 450,000 XPF (which is about $4,500!) 

Disclaimer

All of the above it true and correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publishing and is provided as a guide only.  Please do you own research and make sure that none of these steps are wrong or have changed.  We assume no liabilities for any errors or omissions.