SAILING the South Pacific WITH A DOG - Requirements for French Polynesia
We were hesitant to sail across the Pacific with our French Bulldog Yoda because we'd heard it was VERY difficult to import a dog to French Polynesia. But after extensive research and chatting with others we decided it was feasible. Five months of emailing, completing forms, seven vet visits and almost a thousand dollars was the preparation for Yoda to be inspected in French Polynesia but we still weren’t certain she would be allowed into the country when we sailed away from Panama, which was a bit nerve wracking. Watch the video to see what it was like to import a dog to French Polynesia, and a glimpse into a dog’s life on the Pacific crossing.
Below are specific details/requirements for the process. We left from Panama so it may differ depending where you depart from.
I’d recommend contacting French Polynesia Biosecurite 6 months prior to arrival with your sail plan. They will request the current documents you have for your pet. Main Biosecurite contact is Thibault Langlois thibaut.langlois@administration.gov.pf His colleague is Miranda Haapii miranda.haapii@administration.gov.pf
Complete and email the 211 A form to French Polynesia Biosecurite
An official document establishing your animal has been implanted with an ISO 11784 microchip
Rabies Vaccine (must be done at least 6 months prior to arrival and it must be less than one year old) – with microchip number
DHPP Vaccine
Titer test must be done 3 months before landing and be less than one year old (rabies vaccine must have been given 21-30 days prior to titer test) - with microchip number
If the dog has been in a country infected by leishmania disease in the six previous months, an indirect fluorescent antibody test or an ELISA test to detect antibodies against Leishmania sp. with a negative result within 30 days of departure (PCR test is not accepted)
Health Certificate by a veterinary establishing your animal has been subjected to a treatment against internal parasites and especially against Echinococcus sp. and against external parasites within 30 days and within 4 days before boarding from the last stopover country
Official Document stating your last day in a rabies infected country (your zarpe)
Panama City Vet - Pets Inn by Dr. Sandra Calle 71 este San Francisco y Av Las Gardenias Tel. 221-6865 (need to add country code) / 6678-6068 (she was the only vet in Panama City that did the correct Leishmaniasis test - we visited two others that did the PCR test & insisted it would be accepted but it was not)
For departures from Mexico find information here https://www.svanimalcracker.com/2022/09/pups-in-paradise.html
Costs
Rabies Vaccine - Mercy Veterinary (Panama City - now out of business) $46
Rabies Titer Test $365 (Dr. Gloria in Bocas del Toro - we highly recommend her)
Leishmaniasis Test & Health Certificate - $438.70
Fees upon arrival in French Polynesia - 12,000 CFP ($105 USD) must be wired to the destination. Our US bank was unable to send a wire to the destination. We finally figured out you can send a wire from the local Post Office and these are everywhere so it’s actually quite convenient.
There was not a practicing vet in the Marquesas when we arrived so we had to schedule the vet and unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate and we arrived in between their typical visits to the Marquesas. If possible try to coordinate a few boats with pets arriving at the same time because they will fly out if there are 4 or more pets to inspect.
For details about sailing further west in the South Pacific visit https://www.noonsite.com/report/south-pacific-the-logistics-of-sailing-with-a-pet/ It is by Katie Monahan on SV Searcher who sailed all across the South Pacific with her dog Logan (and husband lol), even to New Zealand and Australia.