Trade partner
U.S. Imports
$1.6M
August 2026
U.S. Exports
$12.3M
August 2026
Trade surplus
$10.7M
August 2026 · U.S. exports more than it imports
In August 2026 the United States imported $1.6M from French Polynesia and exported $12.3M to it, across 76 imported product categories.
Over the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $41.0M from French Polynesia and exported $133.9M to it. In August 2026, the U.S. ran a monthly goods trade surplus of $10.7M with French Polynesia, exporting 7.7× as much as it imported. U.S. goods imports from French Polynesia of $1.6M in August 2026 ran 16% below the year-to-date monthly average of $1.9M.
Cultured black pearls—marketed as Tahitian pearls—are the defining export commodity of French Polynesia and account for the territory's most commercially meaningful presence in US import data. Pearl and pearl jewelry imports are classified under specific HTS headings and are subject to standard customs valuation rules, with appraisal of loose pearls sometimes requiring specialist expertise. French Polynesia also exports small quantities of noni products and vanilla, which are subject to FDA admissibility review as food commodities.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Importers should obtain a certificate of origin from French Polynesian authorities, along with grading documentation that specifies whether pearls are loose, strung, or set in jewelry—distinctions that affect HTS classification. Customs valuation for loose pearls can be complex, and consulting a licensed customs broker with gemstone experience is advisable.
Yes. Food products including noni-based beverages and vanilla originating from French Polynesia are subject to FDA prior notice requirements and port-of-entry admissibility review. Importers should ensure that foreign facilities are registered with the FDA and that labeling meets US requirements before shipment.
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The top U.S. imports from French Polynesia are Fresh or Chilled Yellowfin Tuna, Fresh or Chilled Bigeye Tuna and Natural Pearls, Not Mounted or Set, by value in the latest month.
| Rank | Product | Import value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $426K | |
| 2 | $251K | |
| 3 | $212K | |
| 4 | $165K | |
| 5 | US-Origin Articles Exported & Returned Without AdvancementChapter 98 · Special Classification Provisions | $144K |
| 6 | Estimated Imports of Low-Valued TransactionsChapter 99 · Special Import Reporting Provisions | $87K |
| 7 | $63K | |
| 8 | $45K | |
| 9 | $39K | |
| 10 | $32K |
| Rank | Product | Export value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.7M | |
| 2 | Low-Value Export Shipments & Canadian Estimated Late ReceiptsChapter 98 · Special Classification Provisions | $842K |
| 3 |
| $834K |
| 4 | $579K |
| 5 | $513K |
| 6 | Civilian Aircraft, Engines, Equipment, and PartsChapter 88 · Aircraft, Spacecraft & Parts | $420K |
| 7 | $347K |
| 8 | $285K |
| 9 | $284K |
| 10 | $240K |