Classifieds in French Polynesia: buying, selling and renting

In Tahiti, classified ads are mainly found on Petites-annonces.pf, Achats-ventes.pf, Tahiti-Annonces.com and ParuVendu Tahiti, in French and priced in CFP francs, with vehicle, property, job and bargain sections that are generally free for readers to browse.

From newspaper pages to .pf websites

For a long time, ads were read in the classified pages of Papeete dailies such as La Dépêche de Tahiti. When printed daily newspapers ended in the mid-2010s, Polynesian websites using the .pf extension took over that role for buyers and sellers.

Petites-annonces.pf, the most visited site

Petites-annonces.pf brings together property, vehicles, jobs, services and pets. Ads are sorted by island and commune, so you can target Papeete, Punaauia or Moorea and avoid contacting a seller based in a distant archipelago by mistake.

Achats-ventes.pf and Tahiti-Annonces.com

These two free platforms are widely used for cars, 4x4s and small furniture. Sellers often post several photos and an eight-digit local number, which you dial with the +689 country code when calling from abroad.

Used cars: what to check?

Tahiti Auto Clic specialises in new and used vehicles. Before buying, ask for the registration document, the roadworthiness test and the service history, as salt air quickly damages bodywork. The Land Transport Directorate handles changes of ownership.

Renting or buying a home

Property ads for Punaauia, Arue or Faa'a appear on the general sites and on Immobilier.pf, which groups estate agencies. To understand prices, neighbourhoods and rental rules, read also our guide to property in Tahiti before committing.

Job offers and casual work

The jobs section of Petites-annonces.pf mixes company vacancies with requests from individuals. SEFI, the Polynesian public employment service, publishes verified offers and integration schemes. More leads are listed on our page on jobs in Tahiti.

Facebook and neighbourhood groups

A large share of trading happens in Facebook groups and on Marketplace, organised by island or theme, such as moves by transferred civil servants. These ads are quick but rarely moderated: favour active profiles and meet in public places.

Video ads and new formats

VidéoMarket Tahiti offers ads accompanied by a short video, handy for judging the condition of a boat, a fare or a car before travelling to see it. The IA ORA NA portal, for its part, combines ads, outings and job offers.

How to spot a scam?

Be wary of a very low rent in Papeete, a seller supposedly in mainland France or a deposit requested by money order. Fraudsters often copy photos from genuine ads. A reverse image search and a phone call are usually enough to expose them.

Prices in CFP francs: converting correctly

Prices are shown in CFP francs, which have a fixed exchange rate with the euro: 1,000 XPF is worth about 8.38 euros. Imported goods cost more than in Europe, which explains price gaps on household appliances or car parts.

Moving to or from Tahiti

Arrivals and departures of civil servants, military personnel and expatriates generate many sales of furniture and vehicles, especially around July and August. For inter-island trips with bulky goods, check the ferry timetables to the islands before arranging transport.

Notices in the news media

Legal notices, public tenders from the Pays and auction notices appear in authorised publications and on public websites, which helps when following public procurement. Broadcast media also carry appeals for missing persons and service announcements, particularly on the radio.

Finding a good deal in Tahiti from abroad

1. Start with Petites-annonces.pf and Achats-ventes.pf, filtering by island and by commune.
2. Set up keyword alerts so you are notified as soon as a matching car or home is posted.
3. Ask for dated photos, a video or a video call before any commitment if you are still outside the territory.
4. Never pay a deposit before seeing the item or sending a trusted person to view it on site.
5. Convert prices into euros and compare several similar ads to spot abnormal prices.
6. For a vehicle, check the registration document and roadworthiness test with the Land Transport Directorate.

Posting and browsing ads: indicative costs

Useful information before replying to an ad

• Currency: CFP franc (XPF), fixed parity with the euro
• French Polynesia country code: +689, eight-digit numbers
• Time zone: UTC-10, allow for the time difference when calling
• Public employment service: SEFI
• Vehicle registration: Land Transport Directorate
• Main communes on the island of Tahiti: Papeete, Faa'a, Punaauia, Pirae, Arue

Mistakes to avoid with Polynesian classifieds

• Sending a deposit by transfer or money order to a landlord who claims to be away from Tahiti and offers to post the keys.
• Trusting a fake site imitating a well-known platform, with a slightly altered address and a payment form.
• Comparing prices in CFP francs as if they were in euros and believing you have found an exceptional bargain.
• Replying to an old ad still online when the item was sold or rented months ago.
• Buying a vehicle without a valid roadworthiness test or a registration check, then discovering a lien or advanced rust.

Classified ads in Tahiti: practical questions