On June 10, 2012, customs officers at Tahiti-Faa’a Airport intercepted a major smuggling attempt on ATN Flight 78 bound for Tokyo.
A Chinese pearl oyster grafter was caught carrying 1,449 high-quality black pearls, skillfully concealed in liquid soap bottles and a powdered chocolate box. The seized lot, valued at over 1,343,000 XPF, resulted in confiscation and substantial fines.
Weeks earlier, on NZ Flight 41 to Auckland, inspectors discovered 3,739 undeclared black pearls in a professional pearl driller’s luggage – including over 400 rejects. These decisive actions safeguard Tahitian pearls’ international reputation.
Customs’ vigilance extends beyond pearls. Since January, 430 kg of prohibited nuclei have been intercepted in express parcels. These nuclei, made from protected giant clams (regulated by the Washington Convention), violate Decree 1240/CM of August 30, 2007.
French Polynesian customs reinforce their critical role as guardians of pearl excellence. Rigorous monitoring of pearl/nuclei imports, exports, and domestic circulation remains paramount. Nineteen pearl-related cases recorded this year demonstrate the scale of illicit activity and the importance of customs penalties.
Facing threats to this economic cornerstone, Polynesian customs reaffirm their absolute commitment to defending Tahitian pearls’ quality and global prestige.
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