French Polynesia: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 0 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to French Polynesia.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for French Polynesia in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in French Polynesia may still be on a list.

Check a shipment to French Polynesia →

On the sanctions lists

No entry on the 7 lists Sanctioni screens names French Polynesia.

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming French Polynesia recorded yet.

All updates →

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Logistics profile

French Polynesia: logistics and trade

South Pacific island hub / import-dependent French overseas territory

French Polynesia (ISO code PF) is a French overseas collectivity in the South Pacific comprising over 100 islands, including Tahiti and the Society Islands. It enjoys broad autonomy with its own administration and parliament. The climate is tropical, with a marked rainy and dry season. The economy rests on tourism, services, fishing and exports of pearls, coconut products and fish, while imports of food, fuel and industrial goods dominate trade. The Port autonome de Papeete and Tahiti Faa'a international airport secure the transit and logistics function for regional shipping and air traffic. The currency is the CFP Franc (XPF), pegged to the euro.

Capital: Papeete
Population: 280,000
Area: 4,167 km²
Currency: CFP Franc (XPF)
Continent: Oceania
Region: Pacific (EU-PTOM)
Economic area: OCT/PTOM (EU-associated)
Religions: Christianity
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Air · Road

Current situation: As of 2026: supply stable via Port autonome de Papeete and Tahiti-Faa'a airport; the CFP franc is pegged to the euro (around 119,33 XPF per euro).
Seasonal conditions: Tropical climate; rainy season from November to April with cyclone risk can affect sea and air transport as well as port operations.

Main seaports

Papeete
Papeete (PF PPT), French Polynesia's only international port: about 69,000 TEU a year, importing food, fuel, machinery and building materials.

Road corridors

Tahiti: Route territoriale RT1 (Papeete and surroundings)

Main trade lanes

France/EU - Papeete
New Zealand/Australia - Papeete
North America - Papeete
Asia (CN/JP) - Papeete

Customs and import

Customs authority Direction régionale des douanes de Polynésie françaiseOfficial website ↗

Import customs system: Imports are handled through the regional customs directorate; PTOM status, outside the EU customs territory. Duties: customs duty, TVA, Taxe de développement local (TDL). Online tax simulator of the Douane available.
Export customs system: Exports are handled through the Douane; for customs and tax purposes PF is treated as a third territory (export zone) relative to France and the EU. Commercial invoice and export declaration required.
Import VAT: VAT on imports: standard rate 16 percent, intermediate rate 13 percent (services), reduced rate 5 percent (including food). Collected by the DICP.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: As an EU-PTOM, preferential and association arrangements exist with the EU; proof of origin depending on the trade flow. PF is not part of the EU customs union.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Prohibitions/restrictions apply, among others, to weapons, drugs, certain food and plant products (biosecurity), and protected species (CITES). Permit requirements for special goods.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Transport document (B/L or AWB)
Packing list
Import customs declaration
Proof of origin, if applicable

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Export customs declaration
Transport document (B/L or AWB)
CITES permit, if applicable

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: Medium
Customs delays: Medium
Port congestion: Low to medium
Dangerous goods relevance: Medium
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Medium

Trade

Top import partners

France China United States New Zealand Australia

Top export partners

France Japan Hong Kong China United States

Top import goods

Food
Petroleum products
Vehicles
Machinery
Construction materials

Top export goods

Pearls
Fish
Vanilla
Services

Typical cargo

Food
Fuel/petroleum products
Vehicles
Machinery
Construction materials
Pearls (export)
Fish (export)

Logistics questions

Does French Polynesia belong to the EU customs and VAT territory?

No. PF is an overseas country and territory (PTOM) associated with the EU and lies outside the EU customs territory as well as the EU VAT area. In trade with France and the EU, PF is treated as a third territory.

Which VAT rates apply to imports?

A standard rate of 16 percent, an intermediate rate of 13 percent for services and a reduced rate of 5 percent, for example for food, apply. The TVA is collected by the tax authority DICP.

Which additional charges apply on import?

In addition to import duty and TVA, the Taxe de développement local (TDL) may apply, whose assessment base is the CIF value plus duty. The Douane offers an online tax simulator for calculation.

Through which port does supply run?

The central hub is the Port autonome de Papeete on Tahiti. There, containers, general cargo, fuel and gas are handled and then distributed to the other islands by feeder vessels.

Which airport handles air cargo?

Tahiti-Faa'a International Airport (PPT/NTAA) near Papeete is the only international airport and has its own cargo terminal with connections to Oceania, Asia and the Americas.

Which currency is used?

Legal tender is the CFP franc (XPF), which is pegged to the euro at a fixed exchange rate (around 119,33 XPF per euro). This ensures stable calculations in trade.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗