Sending special cargo with Air Tahiti

Items weighing over 50 kg (110 lb) require special handling by our staff.

As a result, advance warning needs to be given to the Cargo Service at the departure airport:

•     For consignments between 50 and 100 kg (between 110 and 220 lb) : 6 working hours prior to flight departure
•     For consignments of 100 kg (220 lb) or more :
  • From Tahiti: 12 working hours prior to flight departure
  • From the other islands: 24 working hours prior to flight departure

Consignments weighing over 200 kg (440 lb) cannot be transported on Air Tahiti flights.

Please ensure the packaging used for this type of cargo is robust enough to withstand all the different handling required at the loading, unloading and storage stages.

Due to the special handling required by consignments over 50 kg (110 lb), a surcharge of XPF 5,000 for each additional weight band of 25 kg (55 lb) is payable on top of the transport cost.

Our aircraft's hold size limits the volume of cargo we are able to carry, particularly on flights operated by Twin Otter or Beechcraft. For all cargo with a length over 1 meter long please contact Freight services to make sure it can be accepted on board.

Also as a result, bulky items or items with very low weight but high volume (e.g. an empty icebox) are subject to volume rates. For these items, the chargeable weight is based on the space occupied in the hold, rather than the actual weight of the goods.

The rate is calculated as follows:

Volumetric weight = [length (cm) x width (cm) x height (cm)]/6 000 cm3

The volumetric weight is then compared with the actual weight of the item. The higher of the two figures is multiplied by the applicable rate per kg for the journey, to obtain the price payable for transporting the cargo.

Firearms for hunting or sport and their ammunition can be transported as cargo on Air Tahiti routes operated by ATRs, on a space-available basis. Their transport is subject to the following specific conditions:

• They are accepted as confirmed cargo only. The transport of firearms requires a special declaration and special handling, for which a fee of XPF 2,000 per declaration is payable.
• You will be asked to present a firearm licence. You must also notify the Department for Regulations and Control of Legality (DRCL) that you will be transporting your firearm.
• The firearm and ammunition must be packed separately.
• Your firearm must be unloaded and packed in a strapped airtight hard case. The safety mechanism must be activated.
• Your ammunition must be packed in its original packaging or in a suitable hard case. Ensure it is securely packed to prevent it from knocking together. Loose ammunition or ammunition in any packaging other than those mentioned will be refused carriage. You must also pack it in packaging for dangerous goods, which is sold by the Cargo Service.
• Ammunition must be of division 1.4S type.
• The permitted quantity of ammunition is 25 kg (55 lb) per package.
• You will need to sign a special transport declaration when checking in your firearm/ammunition at the cargo desk.
• The recipient of the cargo must be there to receive it when the aircraft arrives. 

The check-in attendant may ask you to show him your firearm and ammunition.

All other types of firearms or military weapons are prohibited on all Air Tahiti flights.

In Tahiti, there are chilled and frozen storage facilities for your perishable goods. Special pricing applies.

To find out about transport conditions for perishable goods, seafood and meat, click here.

Air Tahiti will endeavour to transport all of your cargo. However, some items are considered dangerous where they pose a risk to your health and safety and that of the aircraft. Such items are either forbidden to be carried as cargo or in your hand or hold baggage, or restricted, which means they may be transported under certain conditions.

They will be accepted in line with current legislation. For some articles, approval from the head of Air Tahiti's Dangerous Goods department will be required to transport your cargo. You are advised to request information from our staff well in advance.

If you make a false declaration about the contents of your cargo or if dangerous goods are discovered, you will be subject to criminal prosecution. The goods will be immediately confiscated and examined by the relevant authority.

Dangerous goods need to be packed in specific packaging according to the particular risk posed. For that reason, dangerous goods of different types cannot be accepted in the same package.

Packaging for dangerous goods is sold by the Cargo Service at Tahiti-Faa'a Airport. Our cargo attendant will be able to advise you. If you are staying on an island other than Tahiti and need to send dangerous goods, please contact your Air Tahiti agency as soon as possible so that your packaging can be sent to you in time.

Solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) for refrigerating perishable goods or transported on its own is not permitted as cargo.

Below is a list of the dangerous goods that are either forbidden for carriage, including as cargo, or accepted as cargo under certain conditions. If in doubt, please contact the Cargo Service.

ITEMS FORBIDDEN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES ON ALL AIR TAHITI FLIGHTS, INCLUDING AS CARGO :
 

In general, substances capable of exploding, reacting dangerously, producing a flame or dangerous levels of heat, or giving off toxic, corrosive or flammable gases or vapours, must under no circumstances be transported on Air Tahiti flights.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of the items that are forbidden from transport on our flights:

• Aerosols containing an irritant
• Infected or poisonous animals, with the exception of bees
• Military weapons and firearms other than for hunting or sport
• Articles posing a projection hazard
• Charcoal
• Copra
• Zinc dithionite
• Explosives and articles posing a mass explosion hazard, e.g. fireworks, flares, pyrotechnic devices, detonators, military munitions, etc.
• Toxic gases
• Oxygen generators, full or empty
• Security-type attaché cases, boxes or pouches for carrying cash containing dangerous goods or pyrotechnic devices
• Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
• Substances transported at high temperatures
• Substances that emit flammable gases in contact with water
• Gas combustion engines

 
ITEMS WHICH MUST BE CHECKED IN AS CARGO AND CANNOT BE CARRIED AS HAND OR HOLD BAGGAGE

The following items can be accepted as cargo only, subject to certain conditions and provided they are declared at check-in. To find out more about the conditions of acceptance of these items as cargo, please contact the Cargo Service.
 

List of dangerous goods accepted as cargo on ATR flights from Tahiti to destinations within French Polynesia :
 

• Matches and gas lighters
• Oxygen cylinders, empty or full
• Flammable gases, e.g. full camping-gas canisters, gas cartridges for hair curlers, butane, propane, acetylene, etc.
• Empty camping stoves
• Fuel tanks that have contained fuel such as petrol, oil or diesel, or other containers that have contained a liquid fuel
• Torches for dancers
• Engines powered by liquid or gaseous fuel, and engine parts, e.g. strimmers, lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, chain saws, boat engines, etc.
• Flammable solids, e.g. firelighters, self-heating drinks or meals, etc.
• Helium balloons
• Professional washing powder
• Objects containing a magnetised/ferromagnetic material (loudspeakers, etc.)
• Electrical weapons (e.g. Tasers) containing dangerous substances such as explosives, compressed gases, lithium batteries, etc.
• Oxidising substances and organic peroxides,e.g. oxygenated water, chemicals for swimming pools, bleaching powder, detergents, liquid or powder fertilisers, weedkillers, etc.
• Corrosive substances,e.g. batteries, battery fluids, scouring products, corrosive products, acids, chlorine, bleach, etc.
• Toxic and infectious substances,e.g. pesticides, insecticides, etc.
• Flammable liquids,e.g. methylated spirits, surgical spirit containing over 70% alcohol by volume, some vegetable oils (e.g. monoi), essential oils, perfumed or aromatic oils and all substances containing alcohol (vanilla extract, perfume and/or concentrates) in quantities intended for professional use, paint, varnish, household products, etc.
• Attaché cases or bags fitted with an alarm or defence mechanism
• Aerosol sprays and other devices containing an irritant or incapacitant, such as cayenne pepper
• Radioactive substances
• Small leisure vehicles with lithium battery. e.g. mini-segway, balance-wheel, airwheel, hoverboard...
• Electronic devices containing batteries or wet batteries

 
List of dangerous goods accepted as cargo on Twin Otter or Beechcraft flights or from French Polynesian islands other than Tahiti on ATR flights :
 

• Fire extinguishers
• Compressed oxygen
• Paint, paint solvent and paint thinner
• Electrolyte, liquid acid and liquid alkaline batteries
• Engines powered by liquid fuel, e.g. strimmers, lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, chain saws, boat engines, etc.
• Dangerous substances contained in devices (e.g. motor pumps, fuel pumps, etc.)
• Lithium metal or lithium-ion contained in equipment or packed with equipment
• Consumer goods

Please contact the Air Tahiti Cargo Service no later than ten days prior to departure if you wish to send any dangerous goods not listed above. We will consider your request.

An overload of 2000 F / shipment applies.

Inter-island transport of fruits, vegetables, flowers or other plants such as plants or seeds is subject to strict regulations aimed at limiting the spread of diseases and pests in the islands.

A phytosanitary control of any plant or product of vegetable origin coming from French Polynesia is obligatory for all sending by freight. A phytosanitary certificate will be requested by our agents.

To know the conditions of transport, click here.

If you need to send medicines to the islands, please make sure you tell our staff whether it is urgent or not. If it is urgent, your medicines will be sent as Priority cargo.

If the item you are sending is valuable, you are advised to make a special statement of interest at the value, in order to benefit from a higher level of protection in the event of damage or loss. An additional fee of 5% of the declared value is payable for this declaration.

Cargo declaration shall be accurate and  is under your own responsability.

Air Tahiti agrees to transport goods up to a declared value of XPF 1,000,000. They will be transported as Priority cargo only.

Beyond 1,000,000 F, we recommend that you take out an additional insurance.

What's more, payment in cash is not accepted.

The packaging used for your valuable items must be robust and completely closed. Inappropriate packaging (damaged box, box with holes in, etc.) will result in the goods being refused.

Please make sure the recipient is present upon the flight's arrival.

For more informations about the transportation of bee products and equipment, click here.