A GLIMPSE OF OUR TEAM AND SERVICES
Service Packages
Tahiti Crew offers you different packages :
- Sailing Solo Package
- Premium service 1
- Official clearance
- Bond letter for 1
- Inter-island clearance
- Duty free fuel
- Discount Card
- Sailing Duo Package
- Premium service 2
- Official clearance
- Bond letter for up to 2
- Inter-island clearance
- Duty free fuel
- Discount Card
- Family Package (couple + children)
- Premium service 4
- Official clearance
- Bond letter for up to 4
- Inter-island clearance
- Duty free fuel
- Discount Card
- Sailors Package
- Premium service 4
- Official clearance
- Bond letter for up to 4
- Inter-island clearance
- Duty free fuel
- Discount Card
- Long Stay Visa Package
- Premium service 2
- Official clearance
- Assistance in obtaining a “carte de séjour”
- Inter-island clearance
- Duty free fuel
- Discount Card
- EU Citizen Package
- Premium service 4
- Official clearance
- Duty free fuel
- Inter-island clearance
- Discount Card
- Discount Card
- Flying Crew Package
- For new crew member joining the yacht by air (bond letter for 1)
- For crew members registered within the year flying in out during their stay in French Polynesia
- Executive Package
- We have a dedicated service for yachts over 18 meters, please contact us at :
contact@tropicalserenity.com – Website : https://www.tropical-serenity.comOffering a broad range of services and shore support for yachts. From formalities, itineraries, the delivery of top-quality provisions and supplies, to last minute specialist concierge requests and much more.
- For crew members registered within the year flying in out during their stay in French Polynesia
- Flying Crew Package
- For new crew member joining the yacht by air (bond letter for 1)
- For crew members registered within the year flying in out during their stay in French Polynesia
Formalities
FRENCH POLYNESIA VISA REGULATIONS
EU citizens are allowed to stay in French Polynesia without time restriction.
Tourist visas allow visitors to stay a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period from 1st arrival to last departure.
To stay more than 90 days, non-EC citizens must obtain a long stay visa from the French Consulate of their country of origin.
Some Consulates can receive applications for crew unable to return home.
Non EU citizens must have a bond letter from a registered agent or an outbound air ticket to board any plane bound for Tahiti.
AUTHORIZED ENTRY PORTS
Marquesas Islands: Nuku Hiva (Taiohae), Ua Pou (Hakahau), Hiva Oa (Atuona)
Austral Islands: Tubuai (Mataura), Rurutu (Moerai), Raivavae (Rairua)
Tuamotu/Gambier: Rangiroa (Tiputa), Mangareva (Rikitea)
Society Islands – Leeward Islands: Raiatea (Uturoa), Huahine (Fare), Bora Bora (Vaitape)
Society Islands – Windward Islands: Tahiti (Papeete: main entry port)
ARRIVING TO THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS
When arriving to Nuku Hiva or Hiva Oa, our agent will assist you for your check-in with the gendarmerie.
The agent will send us a copy of your custom declaration of entry by email, and the original by mail. (We must be dropped it off within 10 days after your arrival to French Polynesia).
In Nuku Hiva, we have Kevin on VHF 72
In Hiva Oa, we have Sandra on VHF9
ARRIVING DIRECTLY TO TAHITI
If you are arriving directly to Papeete, Tahiti, please keep us informed about your ETA, and we will meet you on arrival.
You have to notify us at least 48 hours in advance so we can organize your arrival with the border police, the harbormaster, and the custom.
Remember that you have to do your entry on your arrival day and if you arrive late at night in Papeete, the entry must be done early in the morning with the border police.
Also remember that yachts can’t do their check-in in Moorea; it has to be done in Tahiti.
*Please note that if you arrive in a port where we don’t have agents you will have to email us this document directly. With this email, we can, here in Tahiti, get the document from the customs office for you; that will entitle you to duty free fuel.
TOURIST VISAS
Nationalities allowed entering without visas:
All EU citizens, Albania (e-passport only), Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Bosnia (e-passport only), Brazil, British National (overseas), British Subjects with right of abode, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Macao, Macedonia (e-passport only), Malaysia, Marshall islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Montenegro (e-passport only), Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Mariana, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, St Christopher & Nevis, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia (e-passport only), Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon islands, South Korea, Taiwan, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay, USA, Vatican, Venezuela.
Citizens from Bahrain, Belorussia, China, India, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates who already have a Schengen multiple entry visa valid for a minimum of six months and issued by a French consulate do not need additional visa.
Schengen visas others than those above are not valid in Tahiti.
It is recommended to double check with the French Consulate of your country of residence before arrival and also, send us an email with a copy of your visa as well.
For more information on visas:
http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000025092900#LEGIARTI000025113443
All others must obtain a short-term visa from the nearest French Consulate before arrival in French Polynesia.
A visa for a maximum of 15 days can be obtained on arrival by sea for exceptional reasons.
Once you are in French Polynesia, it is not possible to ask for an extension. Visa extension is allowed only exceptionally for specific reasons. If you are planning to stay more than 90 days, you can apply for a short-term visa from the nearest French Consulate or a long-stay visa from the French Consulate of your home country.
EMBARKING/DISEMBARKING CREW
If you decide to change your crew; please note that you (Captain) are obliged to declare that officially at the nearest Gendarmerie or Border Police office, before disembarkation of this crewmember. If you fail to do so, the crewmember and you will get into trouble with the border police while trying to leave the country or while trying to embark on another boat.
You also have to keep us updated on the crew change, by sending us an email and a copy of the embarking/disembarking crew.
FLYING CREW
If you are flying a crew to join the boat and then the crew leaves French Polynesia by boat, i.e., if the crew doesn’t have a return ticket, then they will need to have a bond letter.
You (the captain) have to send us their passport and a copy of their flight tickets so that we can organize the bond letter.
The crew will need to show the bond letter to the airline desk during check-in and on arrival to the Border Police.
CUSTOMS
On arrival, at your first port of call in the Marquesas, Gambier or Tuamotu Islands, you will have to contact the Gendarmerie who will normally give you a custom clearance. The original must be sent straight to the customs headquarters in Tahiti.
Since 2020, yachts have been allowed to stay 24 months in French Polynesia.
Arms and ammunitions can transit only after proper declaration.
Wine and alcohol can be used by crew and owners on board within the limits listed below (per person over 17 years of age) :
200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco
2 L of wine & 2 L of Alcohol under 22° or 1 L of Alcohol over 22°
Duty free fuel can be obtained in most islands. That is valid 6 months and can be renewed.
PHYTOSANITARY
When you come ashore, you are not allowed to bring any kind of fruits, flowers, seeds, vegetables, flowers into our islands.
Please be aware that you are not allowed to disembark your animal before reaching Tahiti. Tahiti’s Biosecurity Department and their veterinarians are the only one authorized to give you the permit for disembarkation of your animal. Also remember that the quarantine starts from the moment when the veterinary has checked the animal, not from the moment the yacht entered the country.
Importing animals is prohibited (parrots…) but the transit of dogs, cats or rabbits can be allowed after declaration and proper quarantine procedures. Animal products (meat, skins…) must not be landed ashore.
If you need further information contact us; we’ll be happy to help, or visit : Tahiti Biosecurity Department Website
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
All/Arriving in French Polynesia/Clearing French Polynesia/Customs/Others/Visa and Border Police/Visa extension/
When I arrive in the Marquesas, what should I do?
You should inform our agent of your arrival. We have Kevin in Nuku-Hiva VHF 72 and Sandra in Hiva Oa VHF 9. They will assist you for your check in, in French Polynesia.
Can I go to Fatu Hiva before checking in?
No, as soon as you arrive, you need to do your check in with the agent and the gendarmes.
I didn’t have time to send all the forms before leaving Panama; Can I register with the agent on arrival in the Marquesas?
Yes, you can organize all the formalities on arrival. However, since, the agent has to send me all the documents, there will be additional fee to scan and send the papers. Additionally, a lots of boats are arriving at the same time, and your boat doesn’t have priority over the one already registered, it might take a little more time to organize your bond letter.
If I didn’t have time to make the payment online, can I pay cash with the agent in Marquesas?
Yes, you can pay them directly in XPF or USD.
What about if I decided to arrive in the Australes, or Raiatea first?
You can arrive in a different route then the Marquesas, but you will have to do your formalities yourself and go to the gendarmerie, stamp your passport and post the custom declaration form.
If I have check in , in the Marquesas, do I have to check in when I arrive in Tahiti?
Yes, you do have to advise the port authority of your presence, you can see them directly in Papeete or we can organize that from work at the marina Taina. 48 hours before you are leaving Tahiti, you will need to inform us so we can organize your clearance letter.
What is the most common itinerary of the sailors when they come to French Polynesia?
Most boats arrives from the Marquesas islands, they do the Tuamotus, then Tahiti mostly to do few repairs, then they do the Society Islands , exit from Bora Bora to either Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue or Tonga.
What are the citizens who require a visa on arrival?
Have a look at our section formalities section and on the link below :
If I have a Schengen visa, does it means that I can stay in French Polynesia?
No, French Polynesia is not part of the Schengen zone, therefore this visa doesn’t allow you to stay.
How long can I stay in FP as a non EU?
Non EU citizens can stay 90 days and not 3 months. Remember as well that you need to leave before the 90 days expires.
What if during the 90 days, I fly out of French Polynesia and come back 2 weeks after, will I have 90 days more when I come back?
No, if you leave FP during your first 90 days stay, it will stop the countdown of the 90 days and give me those extra days on my return, but if I want to have another 90 days, I have to leave French Polynesia for 90 days in total.
If I’m married to an EU citizen, can I stay in French Polynesia as an EU citizen?
Yes, you can but you have to apply for a one year long stay visa (carte de séjour) on arrival to the high commissionary and with a copy your marriage certificate.
Do I need a bond letter if I’m EU citizen?
No, I do not require a bond letter if I’m an EU citizen.
Can I apply for an extension visa in French Polynesia?
No, non EU citizens must obtain a long stay visa (carte de séjour for one year) at the French Consulate of their country of origin.
What are the conditions that the boat can get an extension?
– If the crew member is really sick and is physically unable to sail . He/She needs to have a doctor certificate confirming that the crew shouldn’t sail.
– If the boat is in bad conditions and is not safe to sail, the captain needs to have a testimony of a technician’s to confirm that the boat is unable to sail.
Also, if the captain is waiting for a part to be shipped and that he has a proof that the part is on its way.
How long can the boat stay in French Polynesia?
The new law issued on April 2020, the boat can stay up to 24 months in French Polynesia.
Do I get my detax fuel form on arrival, and how long it is valid for?
We’re collecting and organizing the detax fuel on Tuesday and Thursday morning, therefore if you arrive on Friday, you will have to wait until Tuesday noon to have it.
The detax fuel is valid 6 months, after that time it is possible to renew it.
What are the procedures if I want to receive parts in Tahiti?
Even if you have a yacht in transit, you need to pay the service of the custom broker who is going to charge an entry custom fee and an exit custom fee.
Temporary statement admission.
This procedure requires from the user, to submit to the express courier company on two occasions:
– Upon receipt of the equipment, to establish the temporary folder. A credit card imprint will be done systematically.
– When leaving the French Polynesia territory to close the temporary folder. Failure of this presentation will invalidate the tax exemption in effect for the goods concerned and duties and taxes will be collected automatically.
Items that do not fall within the ship repair operations are subject to the normal tax regime in effect for all users of French Polynesia.
How much will cost the custom broker fee?
The prices vary depending of the courier services that you will be using (Fedex, DHL, or normal post) but the price varies between 10 000XPF to 25 000XPF. So if you are sending a part that worth 50USD, consider that the broker is costing 75% more than the part itself.
Duty Free alcohols, how does it work?
You can get duty Free alcohol only if you leave French Polynesia from Tahiti. Once you have your exit custom declaration form and your clearance (Zarpe), you can go to Kim Fa shop and buy some duty free alcohol.
If I have a clearance letter from Tahiti , do I still need to check out with the gendarmes in Bora Bora?
You can do a direct Tahiti to Fiji (or other islands), your agent in Tahiti will help you through all the procedures (custom, immigration). Or if you go from Tahiti to the Society Islands, we will organize your clearance letter that you will present to the gendarmes the day you will check out and stamp your passports.
Do you have an agent in Bora Bora to do the check out?
No, sorry, you will have to do it yourself.
What is the check out procedures if I leave from Bora Bora or Raiatea?
The day you want to leave, you have to see the gendarmes to stamp your passports. They will give you a custom form (the white, green and pink form), the gendarmes will stamp the 3 forms. The green and the pink forms are for you, as for the white one, you will have to put a stamp on it, and post it. Before, you post the white form, you will need to scan or take a photo it and send to your agent so that we have a proof of your departure.
If you fail to post your white form, your boat will be considered as still in French Polynesia water and if one day, you would like to come back you might have problem to do so.
You can go to the Maikai Marina to scan your papers.
Can I leave from Maupiti?
No, you can’t leave from Maupiti as there are no gendarmeries there that can organize your check out.
What will be the best way to get internet ?
You can have a good Internet access in Tahiti or in some cyber cafés in the islands.
In Tahiti, you can buy an internet card, Vini or Vodafone from Carrefour, the big supermarket near the marina. Note that the connection is available in Tahiti and Moorea, not in other island of French Polynesia.
The marina doesn’t offer internet access facilities.
You can also rent boxes with us, Tahiti Crew, for a minimum of one month.
In Tahiti, where is Tahiti Crew and when can I meet the agent?
Our office is located at the Marina Taina and is open from 8.00am to 3.00pm, Monday to Friday.
How can I find out about the local events in Tahiti?
You can join our facebook group Yachty Events Tahiti, where we will post the latest events and good addresses of the islands.
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