French Polynesia
How long you can stay, how long your vehicle can, and what your dog or cat needs to cross. Every rule links to the official source.
- Last checked 28 Sep 2026
Your rules for French Polynesia
You · American passport
Up to 90 days in any 180
Visa-free for short stays. Keep inside the limit and you don't need a visa.
service-public.gouv.fr · Official source · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your vehicle · United States plates
Ask customs before you ship
There's no published rule. Ask customs before you ship.
service-public.gouv.fr · Confirm before you go · Checked 27 Sep 2026
Your dog or cat
Start at least 210 days out
French Polynesia needs an online import permit, rabies vaccination, a titre 3-12 months before entry, parasite treatments and a DBS inspection on Tahiti. See the steps
service-public.pf · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026
Watch French Polynesia.
We'll email you if French Polynesia's rules change for your American passport, United States plates or your pet. That's the only email you'll get.
What your pet needs to cross into French Polynesia.
Do these in order. Miss one and your pet can be held at the border.
- Before you go
Microchip
Identification certificate with chip number and implant date.
- At least 30 days after the rabies shot
Rabies antibody titration
Positive titre at an EU-approved lab, advised at least 1 month after vaccination. Valid from 3 months after sampling for 1 year.
- At least 3 months after the blood test
3-month wait after titre sample
Entry at least 3 months (and no more than 1 year) after the titre sample.
- Still valid the day you arrive
Rabies vaccine still valid on arrival
Your pet's rabies vaccine must still be valid on the day you cross. Check the 'valid until' date on the vaccination record and book a booster before it runs out.
- Within 7 months before you arrive
Open the import-permit file on mes-demarches
Start the online permit application (air or sea form) about 7 months before departure; fee 5,500 XPF per animal, payable within 5 days.
- At least 202 days before you arrive
Rabies vaccination
Primary rabies vaccination becomes valid only 6 months + 21 days after injection; boosters must be before expiry with the same vaccine.
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Leishmania test (dogs)
Dogs only: negative ELISA or IF test within 30 days before departure (advised at 25 days); lab sends result to DBS.
- Within 30 days before you arrive
Females: non-pregnancy scan or sterilisation proof
Ultrasound within 30 days before departure showing not more than 42 days pregnant, or proof of sterilisation.
- 16 to 30 days before you arrive
First internal + external parasite treatments
Within 30 days before departure and no later than 16-19 days before (at least 14 days before the second).
- Within 4 days before you arrive
Second internal + external parasite treatments
Within 4 days before departure, at least 14 days after the first.
- Within 4 days before you arrive
Official vet signs the negotiated certificate
Official vet of the departure country (e.g. DDPP France, USDA, MPI, DAFF, DAVAR) signs the country-specific certificate.
- At least 1 day before you arrive
Import permit issued
Permit issued once documents (incl. Leishmania result) are complete; certificate sent with it.
- Within 1 day before you arrive
Exam and crate seal on departure day; manifested cargo
Clinical exam and official seal on the IATA crate on departure day; pets fly as manifested cargo only.
- By the day you arrive
DBS inspection on Tahiti
Inspection by the DBS official vet on Tahiti only (weekday mornings 07:30); 6,500-12,500 XPF; laissez-passer issued.
service-public.pf · Official source · Checked 28 Sep 2026. The app works these dates backward from your travel day and reminds you.
Every passport in French Polynesia
| Passport | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | Free movement | No limit | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | Free movement | No limit | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | Free movement | No limit | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180 | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
Every registration in French Polynesia
| Registered in | Entry | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States (yours) | No published rule | Ask customs before you ship | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Argentina | No published rule | Ask customs before you ship | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Australia | No published rule | Ask customs before you ship | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Austria | No published rule | Ask customs before you ship | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Belgium | No published rule | Ask customs before you ship | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Brazil | No published rule | Ask customs before you ship | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Bulgaria | No published rule | Ask customs before you ship | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
| Canada | No published rule | Ask customs before you ship | service-public.gouv.fr · Checked 27 Sep 2026 |
A plain-language summary of the official rules, checked on the date shown. It isn't legal advice, and the officer at the desk always has the final word.
Planning a French Polynesia leg?
We'll count it for you.
BorderRunner turns these rules into your exact exit date, for you, your vehicle and your dog, and reminds you well before it's close. The first week is on us.
