Distillers Alcohol regulations in French Polynesia
How to import or export liquor and spirits to French Polynesia, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched March 2026.
Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in March 2026 from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page. Duty rates, fees and rules change often: confirm with the regulator, a customs broker or local counsel before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Status
- Dry areas exist
- Legal drinking age
- 18
- Legal purchase age
- 18
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Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)
- Licences needed
- Alcohol production/distillation authorization (Fabrication de boissons alcooliques) and establishment registration under the Code des débits de boissons
- Authority
- Direction générale des affaires économiques (DGAE) and Direction régionale des douanes de Polynésie française
- Documents
- Commercial registration (N° TAHITI / RCS), site plan and facilities compliance certificates, technical description of distillation equipment, environmental and hygiene clearance, and clean criminal record check (bulletin n° 3)
- Fees
- not confirmed
- Time to obtain
- not confirmed
Import licence and registration
- Who can import
- Any registered commercial entity or company legally registered in French Polynesia with an active Tahiti registration number (N° TAHITI)
- Licences or registrations
- Registration as an importer with the customs automated system (SOFIX) and business registration (patente) for beverage import/wholesale
- Authority
- Direction régionale des douanes de Polynésie française and Direction générale des affaires économiques (DGAE)
- Documents
- Single customs declaration (DAUP), commercial invoice, bill of lading / airway bill, packing list, certificate of origin, and certificate of analysis / health certificate
- Fees
- Standard customs clearance processing and computer fees; no separate recurrent statutory import license fee
- Time to obtain
- Customs clearance takes 1 to 5 business days upon submission of full documentation
Product and label registration
Required: no Process: French Polynesia does not operate a pre-market brand or label registration system (such as US COLA). Products are cleared upon entry subject to compliance with French Polynesian labeling, sanitary, and…
Import rules
No state import monopoly; registered commercial entities may import spirits. All consignments require a DAUP customs declaration via SOFIX. Strict border checks verify alcohol content, origin certificates, and health conformity.…
Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)
HS 2208: Customs Duty (Droit de Douane) generally 0% for EU-origin products under preferential regime, up to 10% ad valorem for third-country origins, plus customs clearance charges.
Excise and taxes
Droit de Consommation à l'Importation (DCIMP): specific rate ranging from 3,680 XPF to 5,000 XPF per litre of pure alcohol (lpa) plus an ad valorem component (10% on CIF + customs duty); Taxe Statistique (TS) of 50 XPF per 100 kg…
Retail and distribution
Private distribution model governed by the Code des débits de boissons under a 7-licence system administered by the DGAE. Distilled spirits (Group 4 beverages) require a 'Grande licence' (on-premise), 'Grande licence restaurant'…
Online sale and delivery
restricted
Labelling
Labels must be in French. Mandatory elements include legal product name, alcoholic strength by volume (% vol), net volume, lot number, country of origin, importer/producer identification, allergens, and the mandatory pregnancy…
Advertising
Heavily restricted under the Code des débits de boissons (adapting France's Loi Évin principles). Alcohol advertising is permitted only via strictly designated channels and media, restricted to factual product information…
Legal definitions of spirits
French and EU spirit definitions (aligned with Regulation (EU) 2019/787) apply: Whisky/Whiskey (min 40% ABV), Rum (min 37.5% ABV, alongside specific French Polynesian AOC/GI specifications for local Tahitian agricultural rum),…
Dry or restricted areas
Statutory protected zones (zones protégées) prohibit new retail/on-premise licenses within specified perimeters around schools, youth facilities, health establishments, and places of worship. Municipalities (maires) and the…
Recent changes
Recodification and modernization of the French Polynesian Customs Code (Code des douanes de Polynésie française - CDPF) enacted in 2025/2026. Comprehensive application of the reformed Code des débits de boissons, enforcing the…
Opportunities for exporters
French Polynesia offers steady high-value potential for premium international spirits, driven by an upscale luxury tourism and hospitality sector, despite elevated import excise levies and strict takeaway trading restrictions.
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- DGAE Polynésie française - Guide des débits de boissons et réglementation
- Direction régionale des douanes de Polynésie française - Tarif des douanes et fiscalité des alcools
- Assemblée de la Polynésie française - Travaux législatifs et Code des douanes de Polynésie française
- Conseil Économique, Social, Environnemental et Culturel (CESEC) de Polynésie française - Avis sur les débits de boissons et la fiscalité locale
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