Permit· Tahiti· French Polynesia — Society Islands
Papeete Customs Office – Motu Uta (clearance out, fuel certificates)
17° 32.0′ S · 149° 34.6′ W
The big white 'Douane' building on Motu Uta, across the harbour from downtown: the Papeete port customs office handles yacht entry and exit declarations and long-stay temporary admission.
Practical
GPS from Tahiti Cruisers Guide. Arrive by dinghy (look for the pilot boats; small floating pontoons to tie to); the yachting office is the first door on the left marked 'Yachting'. Hours officially Mon–Fri 7:30am–3:30pm; avoid lunchtime and after 3pm (guide, verify). Regional Customs Directorate +689 40 50 55 50, drpolynesie@douane.finances.gouv.fr; advisory unit +689 40 50 55 58, cce-polynesie@douane.finances.gouv.fr (7am–3:30pm). Exit declarations for departures from Tahiti or Moorea are filed here; from other islands by email to dr-polynesie@douane.finances.gouv.fr. Temporary admission allows duty-free cruising up to 24 months; 'papeetisation' (importing the boat) is done here, +689 40 50 55 73. Duty-free fuel certificate: historically issued here on presentation of passports, clearance papers and registration, valid 3 months (Noonsite 2019); a noforeignland note says a fuel discount program ended in June 2026, so confirm whether certificates are still issued.
Best for
Customs exit clearance and duty-free paperwork
Nearby
- Sailtech Sail Loft & Rigging (Motu Uta)0.1 NM away
- Comptoir Polynésien – Yamaha Outboards (Papeete)0.3 NM away
- Zélée Wreck (Papeete harbour breakwater)0.3 NM away
- Subtechnology Diving (Fare Ute, hydrotests & fills)0.4 NM away
- DPAM Maritime Affairs Office, Fare Ute (escales.gov.pf ZMR bookings)0.5 NM away
- Ferry Terminal Restaurant (Papeete)0.5 NM away
- Les 3 Brasseurs (Papeete waterfront)0.5 NM away
- Marina de Papeete (downtown)0.5 NM away