Tahiti Bond gone?

[Brent Swain]

I've heard rumours that French Polynesia has dropped the requirement that all cruisers there post a bond. Any truth to these rumours? Anyone been there lately, or know of anybody there who can answer this question?
Brent

[GordMay]

According to Tahiti Tourisme
Tahiti Entry Requirements, Find out what you need to enter the Tahiti Islands with links to the French Consulates.

”Tahiti Entry Requirements
Every visitor to French Polynesia must have:
1. A valid passport.
2. A return airline ticket to their resident country or to at least two more continuing destinations.
3. Sufficient funds to cover their planned stay.”

According to The Tahiti Traveler
The Tahiti Traveler - Tourist and travel information - Visas

”... Except for nationals of European Union and aliens holding a 10 year residence card for metropolitan France, all foreigners must have either a return ticket or pay a repatriation bond upon their arrival...”

According to NoonSite’s French Polynesia country listing:
http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Fr...rc=Formalities

”... Since the end of 1999 citizens of EU countries arriving by yacht are no longer required to post a bond (Article 3 of law no. 590 of 24 November 1999). Each person from a non-EU country on board the yacht must deposit in a French Polynesian bank a sum of money equivalent to a one-way air ticket back to their home country ...
... Yachts staying only a short period (up to one month) may be able to have the bond requirement waived ...”

Entry/Exit & Visa requirements conditions may change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of France for the most up to date information.

Tahiti Tourisme, Papeete, Tahiti, Tel: +689 505 700 or Tahiti Tourisme - Official Web Site

Embassy of France, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 944 6000
Embassy of France, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7073 1000
Embassy of France, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 789 1795
Embassy of France, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6216 0100
Embassy of France, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 425 1600
Embassy of France, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 277 5000
Embassy of France, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 384 2555

Embassy of France in the U.S.

[Kapena]

I paid it in July....the banks will rip you off for several hundred dollars in the transaction but you can minimize it. The banks charge a holding fee....you have to pay about $75 to let them use your money interest free. There's also a processing fee and a currency conversion fee. When you post the bond tell them you don't want them to convert the currency, this will save a few dollars...also FRP Francs aren't good in any other country in the world.

[bru]

So finally I've found an advantage to the UK being in the EU - if ever I manage to cruise as far as French Poylnesia we won't have to post a bond!

I knew there had to be something good about EU membership!

[Dunkers]

Well said Bru! This may alleviate to some extent the fact that we now have to pay full price for diesel since duty free for boats finished on Jan 1st this year - thanks to our unelected "representatives" in Brussels. Wonder how many power boats will now be on the market?

Sorry for going off subject a little (its a Brit thing to detest the EU and its politics)

[southernman]

no bond required by New Zealander's to my knowledge, only to non EU countries but fine for NZ or Australians. US - understand you have to pay - bad luck!!

[Kapena]

Correct South...something about Schegen (sp?) countries and OZ and NZ don't have to pay. Great thing though...I was in Tahiti when Italy beat the French in the World Cup! The Tahitians went crazy with joy! Flying Italian Flags (even on the city bus), honking horns and shouting Vive la Italie on the streets. Seems they don't like the French much.