Bringing your pet to Tahiti or elsewhere in French Polynesia? We’ve handled hundreds of pet exports to PF — let us help with yours.
Traveling to French Polynesia with your pet requires patience and attention to detail. It’s a lengthy process that involves navigating different timelines and complex requirements.
Our guide details everything you need to know about planning your pet’s trip to French Polynesia, including when consulting the experts could be the best option.
Eligible Pets and Country Restrictions
French Polynesia has breed-specific restrictions. Import requirements are much less cumbersome for pets traveling from countries classified as rabies-free. Cats and dogs should be at least 9 months and 21 days old unless arriving from a rabies-free origin point.
Eligible Pets
French Polynesia prohibits the import of pets that fall into Category 1. These dogs are defined by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food as “attack dogs” and include:
- American Staffordshire terrier-type dogs, or pit bulls
- Mastiff-type dogs
- Tosa-type dogs
The ban applies to dog crosses that fall into these categories and aren’t found on the list of breeds defined by the International Cynological Federation (FCI). American bullies, for example, aren’t a breed recognized by the FCI, so they would be banned from entry in all cases.
If you’re traveling with a dog in Category 2 — these are generally known as guard or defense dogs — the dog’s breed must be on that list from the FCI. These dogs require a certificate of registration proving that they’re of that breed. These breeds include:
- American Staffordshire terrier
- Rottweilers
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Broholmer (Danish mastiff)
- German mastiff
- Majorca Mastiff
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Dogue de Bordeaux (Bordeaux Mastiff)
- English bulldog
- Cane Corso
- Tosa
It’s important to note here that this does not include breed restrictions set by airlines. Air Tahiti Nui prohibits snub-nosed or brachycephalic cats and dogs from flying for their well-being. Some dogs in Category 2, like rottweilers, may require additional requirements for their travel crates. Female dogs in heat or advanced pregnancy are prohibited from flying.
While French Polynesia itself may accept certain birds, fish, and small mammals for import, the airline may limit travel to cats and dogs only. You’ll want to contact your carrier for specific requirements for other live animals.
Approved Countries
French Polynesia does not have a list of approved countries for traveling pets. Import requirements are divided by countries described as rabies-free and all others that don’t fall into that category. (This differs from U.S. restrictions placed on countries at high risk for rabies.)
Countries that don’t appear on the list will need to meet standard requirements plus a rabies blood test. Samples must be taken at least 30 days after the pet’s rabies vaccination. You’ll also need to wait 3 months from the date the sample is taken before you travel. Learn more about pets traveling from unlisted countries.
Microchip and Vaccinations
French Polynesia has a delicate ecosystem. Local officials take rabies precautions very seriously, so listed protocols from the BioSecurity Department of French Polynesia (DBS) are strict. Your pet’s microchip information should match across all veterinary certificates and import documents.
Microchip
Pets moving to French Polynesia should have ISO-compliant microchips implanted before or on the day of their rabies vaccinations. Visible tattoos are an acceptable form of identification in French Polynesia, but the airline may require a scannable microchip anyway.
We always recommend that pets travel with an ISO-compliant microchip no matter where they’re going, as they’re easily scanned by readers.
Vaccinations
Rabies requirements apply to all cats and dogs except those who have resided in a rabies-free country or territory continuously for the last 6 months. That includes Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Guam, and several others.
All other points of origin, including the United States, must follow the rabies vaccination requirements below.
Pets receiving their first round of rabies vaccinations must be at least 3 months old when that happens. There should be no gaps in vaccine coverage from there, as per the rabies manufacturer’s recommendations on their vaccine’s validity. Unless your pet has a European pet passport, each vaccination should have a corresponding rabies vaccination certificate.
Note that boosters are only valid if they’re carried out before the end of the validity period and the same brand of vaccine is used. Rabies vaccinations should be completed more than 6 months and 21 days before the pet travels to French Polynesia.
French Polynesia does not require additional vaccines, but the following are recommended for all traveling dogs:
- Canine distemper
- Infectious canine hepatitis
- Canine parvovirus
- Canine parainfluenza
- Bordetella bronchiseptica
- Leptospirosis
The following vaccinations are recommended for traveling cats:
- Feline calicivirus
- Feline panleukopenia (enteritis)
- Viral rhinotracheitis
- Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)
Your vet may have additional advice for vaccines and treatments to prep your pet for travel. You (and your vet) know your pet best!
Blood Tests and Treatments
Dogs and cats arriving from countries that aren’t rabies-free must have a rabies titer at least 30 days after their last rabies vaccination. This includes primary vaccinations and boosters.
Results are valid for 12 months but must be processed within the window of 3-12 months before entry. Titer tests must be completed in approved laboratories.
French Polynesia also requires the following:
- Female dogs must travel with a Sterilization Certificate or a Non-Pregnancy Certificate plus an ultrasound scan confirming they have not been pregnant for over 42 days.
- Cats and dogs need documentation of 2 internal and external antiparasitic treatments within 30 days before their departure. Treatments should be 14 days apart, with the second treatment completed within 4 days of their departure date.
- These parasite treatments must be administered by a veterinarian and documented as such on your pet’s forms.
At Tailwind Global Pet, we give our clients detailed information about vaccination and treatment schedules to follow to make sure traveling pets are getting what they need when they need it.
Leishmaniosis Blood Test
Dogs traveling to French Polynesia must show a negative leishmaniasis test within 30 days of their departure. Canine leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that is passed by sandflies. Only the ELISA or IF methods are accepted methods of testing. Sampling and microchip information should appear on all test results.
Planning an international flight for your pet? We can help.
Import Documents
Pets arriving in French Polynesia will need an import permit issued by the DBS and a health certificate (APHIS Form 7001) signed by a USDA-accredited vet. Import permit applications are available online. Permit information must appear on your pet’s health certificate.
French Polynesia is considered an “orange banner” country by the United States Department of Agriculture. This means they don’t accept digital endorsements of health certificates through the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS).
For these countries, a USDA-accredited vet will create a hardcopy certificate that they print, physically sign, and emboss with a seal. The original has to come back to you before you travel anywhere, so you’ll want to provide your vet with a return overnight shipping label when they submit your pet’s health certificate.
These certificates are countersigned by a USDA-accredited vet after the last parasitic treatment 4 days before your pet’s departure. Hard copies should accompany the pet during travel.
Airline Options
Air Tahiti Nui is the only pet-friendly option with direct flights from the United States (Los Angeles) to Tahiti. Pets are not allowed in-cabin for travel to Tahiti with the exception of service animals. (All other requirements apply for dog import of service dogs.)
All other pets travel as manifest cargo, our preferred mode of travel for pets, in an IATA-approved crate. Some pets may require reinforced crates.
Your pet’s crate should be sealed by a USDA representative at the time of departure. An added obstacle here is that Air Tahiti Nui Cargo only accepts traveling pets on Sundays. This means coordinating with the USDA, which is generally closed on weekends, for special arrangements.
That’s where we come in. Pets traveling to Tahiti via Air Tahiti Nui Cargo are generally routed to us by the airline for support for everything from meeting vaccine requirements to those final steps at the airport check-in.
A pet transport service like ours catches mistakes before they cause headaches or delays at the airport. Any missed step could mean your pet doesn’t fly.
Quarantine
Pets don’t face any quarantine requirements upon arrival, but they are examined by an official veterinarian when they land at Faaʻa International Airport near Papeete in Tahiti. All pets should arrive with appointments made ahead of time. (You can do this by email or phone with the DBS.)
Pets are released back to their owners after this inspection, assuming they meet all import and health requirements and that any required pass issuance fees have been paid.
How Tailwind Can Help
We went into as much detail in this guide as possible, but you’re likely still left with some unanswered questions. At Tailwind, we’re not just here to demystify the process. We want to take your pet’s relocation to Tahiti off your hands.We can ensure your pet has everything they need for a safe, stress-free flight to their destination country. That includes the right vaccines and treatments at the right times and any day-of finishing touches.
Ready to get started? Each situation is a little different, so contact us to get an idea of the costs involved.
What Our Clients Have to Say
“We used Tailwind to help us transport our senior dog from the east coast US to Tahiti, where my husband is from. When I contacted Tailwind they were already familiar with the import requirements for French Polynesia and they provided us with a schedule of exact dates that things needed to be done and that took SO MUCH weight off my back.
Our girls are so happy to finally have our dog with us, we are one big happy family again. Like they said, “Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten” 🙂 Thank you Tailwind and Brady!”
– Ray V.
“We had a wonderful experience with Brady and we definitely recommend Tailwind Global Pet to anybody who is looking to relocate their pets.
We needed to ship two small dogs from LAX to French Polynesia, and Brady helped us throughout the entire process.
Thank you again Brady for your precious help.”
– Savannah T.
“Overall we had a very positive experience with Brady at Tailwind Global. We shipped our dogs to Tahiti French Polynesia, where I am from. The paperwork and vaccinations and blood work was a process that took 6 months from the first communication with Brady to arrival in Tahiti.
As we sit here at home in Moorea on day 1, we are so happy to have made it safe and sound. Our dogs are tired but happy and adapting to their new life on the beach in Moorea!
Thank you, Brady! We are grateful. Come and visit!”
– Heifara C.