French Polynesia sounds like paradise, and it is, but the paperwork nearly wrecked my first trip with Mochi. Here's what nobody tells you: the microchip is not optional, it is required before anything else counts. Get that little chip sorted early, because the whole dossier hangs on it. Sort the chip, then breathe. That is where every French Polynesia dog file begins.
Bringing a pet to French Polynesia requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.
How French Polynesia handles your pet
l’importation d’animaux âgés de moins de 3 moins est interdite en Polynésie française, sauf s’ils sont accompagnées de leur mère
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Hover the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
Other rules
Service & assistance animals
Documentation requiredUn certificat médical attestant du handicap du propriétaire ; Un certificat attestant de la qualité du chien d’assistance délivré par un établissement de dressage agrée par le(s) pays de provenance du chien.“Un certificat médical attestant du handicap du propriétaire ; Un certificat attestant de la qualité du chien d’assistance délivré par un établissement de dressage agrée par le(s) pays de provenance du chien.”
Timing chain
Day -90 microchip implant · Day -21 rabies vaccine deadline · Day 0 arrive at customs
The microchip must precede the rabies vaccination for French Polynesia. Implant the chip first, then vaccinate. The online dossier requires an identification certificate showing the chip implantation date. Any vaccination dated before the chip date fails the file. Book the chip appointment as the first step, record the implantation date, and keep that certificate for the online submission.
Frequently asked
- Does my pet need a microchip for French Polynesia?
- Yes. French Polynesia requires an ISO-standard microchip, and it must be fitted before the rabies vaccination to be valid.
- How long before travel must the rabies vaccine be given for French Polynesia?
- The rabies vaccine must take effect at least 21 days before entry, and can be given from 12 weeks of age. Travelling before that window makes the vaccination invalid at the border.
- What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
- If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
- What happens if I forget a document?
- At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
The import permit for French Polynesia carries a file-processing fee of 5500 XPF per animal. Budget that amount for each dog before submitting. Pay it as part of the online dossier instruction. Confirm the exact 5500 XPF figure against the current official schedule when applying, since the fee is charged per animal rather than per household.
Look, French Polynesia is worth every form, and Mochi would agree if she cared about anything but the queue length. Don't wing the microchip-then-rabies order, and don't get surprised at the fee window. Build your personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder for your actual dates, dog, and route, and let it lay out every step so your file lands clean the first time.
Glossary
- ISO chip
- ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
- FAVN
- Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
- Brachycephalic
- Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
- AVIH
- Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.