Marine Forwarding

Country guide

Shipping between the US and French Polynesia

Australia and Oceania · 1 port guide

In 2025 the United States exported $160.8 million of goods to French Polynesia and imported $44.7 million from there. French Polynesia ranked 133rd among US export markets and 145th among sources of US imports.

Papeete
6 ports in French Polynesia recorded in the World Port Index
US exports, 2025
$160.8MUp 10.2% on 2024 ($145.9 million)
US imports, 2025
$44.7MUp 10.6% on 2024 ($40.4 million)
Goods balance
$116.1MUS surplus
Export market rank
133rdAmong destinations of US goods
Import source rank
145thAmong sources of US imports

Top goods each way

The five largest Harmonized System chapters by value in 2025, with each chapter's share of the total.

US exports to French Polynesia

Electrical machinery and equipment (chapter 85) led US exports to French Polynesia at $37.9 million, 24% of the total. The top three chapters made up 51%.

  1. 85Electrical machinery and equipment$37.9 million23.5%
  2. 02Meat$33.2 million20.6%
  3. 98Special classification provisions$11.6 million7.2%
  4. 88Aircraft and spacecraft$9.0 million5.6%
  5. 84Machinery and mechanical appliances$7.8 million4.9%

US imports from French Polynesia

Works of art and antiques (chapter 97) led US imports from French Polynesia at $19.3 million, 43% of the total. The top three chapters made up 76%.

  1. 97Works of art and antiques$19.3 million43.2%
  2. 03Fish and seafood$8.5 million19.0%
  3. 98Special classification provisions$6.0 million13.5%
  4. 71Precious stones, metals and jewelry$6.0 million13.4%
  5. 99Special import reporting provisions$1.4 million3.0%

Trade terms

The United States has no free trade agreement in force with French Polynesia, according to the US Trade Representative. Check the duty rate for your goods before you ship.

Through Norfolk-Newport News

The Census Bureau records trade by the US port it passes through. These are its 2025 figures for Norfolk-Newport News, Virginia, for trade with French Polynesia.

Exports through the port, 2025
$137K0.1% of the US total with French Polynesia
Leading export goods
MeatHS chapter 02, $129 thousand
Imports through the port, 2025
$8K0.0% of the US total with French Polynesia
Leading import goods
Articles of iron or steelHS chapter 73, $6 thousand

Trade through Norfolk-Newport News

Ports in French Polynesia

1 port in French Polynesia has a guide here, with depths and facilities from the World Port Index.

Also recorded in the World Port Index for French Polynesia: Atuona, Baie Taiohae, Port Rikitea, Uturoa and Vaitape.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Trade agreements: Office of the US Trade Representative, free trade agreements, checked November 3, 2026.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.