Country Guide: Fiji

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Copy of Passport
• Packing list
• Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Express Release (2 non-negotiable copies showing the ocean freight rate) / Air Waybill (AWB)
• Residence Permit / Work Permit / Letter of Employment
• Detailed inventory of new items (if bought less than 6 months prior to shipment arrival) in English dated, valued, signed by the shipper and attached to the original invoices
• Tax Identification Number
• Free Entry Certificate, if applicable
• Diplomatic Declaration, signed by the Diplomatic Mission
• Customs Baggage Declaration (Form CE 11), signed in the presence of a Customs Officer

 

Specific Information

• It takes approximately 20–40 days to obtain the Free Entry Certificate.
• Relevant documents must be received by the agent prior to arrival of the shipment to minimize any port charges.
• The shipper must be present for Customs clearance.
• All shipments are subject to inspection.
• Diplomatic organizations are subject to duty and value added tax (VAT) exemptions provided the consignee to complete the Form FA608 prior to arrival of the shipment.
• Returning residents, who have lived abroad for at least 1 year and persons with dual citizenship are entitled to duty and VAT exemptions.
• Clothing, toiletries, personal computers and other personnel effects are also free to import.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Passport
• Purchase Invoice showing purchase price and date of purchase
• Quarantine / Agriculture clearance
• Vehicle Registration / Certificate of Permanent Export (UK) / Certificate of Title (USA) / Deregistration Certificate (Japan)
• Invoice showing export costs (Japan)
• Invoice showing freight costs and insurance to Fiji
• OBL / AWB
• Odometer reading at time of sale for export to Fiji
• Odometer reading at time of importation into Fiji
• Import License
•  Non-sale Certificate (new vehicles)
• Commercial Invoice (new vehicles)

 

Specific Information

•  The OBL must include chassis number, engine number, color, model, make and weight of the vehicle.
• The Import License must be obtained prior to import.
• Vehicles older than 5 years of age from the date of manufacture cannot be imported.
• Vehicles exceeding 2500 cc but not exceeding 3000 cc are levied $7500 per vehicle.
• Vehicles exceeding 3000 cc are levied $20,000 per vehicle.
• The duty rate on used cars is 32% of the invoice value plus 15% excise duty plus 15% VAT.
• In order to avoid any unnecessary delays and charges for demurrage and storage due to lengthy Customs procedures, the agent must receive a copy of the required documentation prior to arrival of the shipment; check with agent for specific time frames.

Pets

Documents Required

• Veterinary Health Certificate
• Vaccination Record
• Application to Import Live Animals

 

Specific Information

• Permission is required from the nearest Embassy.
• Cats, dogs and other domestic pets can only be directly imported by air into the country from Australia, Hawaii or New Zealand.
• An Application to Import Live Animals form from the Office of the Director of Animal Health and Production with proof of rabies vaccination is required for entry.
• Pets are subject to quarantine.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• All weapons including firearms, knives, swords and explosives (a Police Permit is required).
• Food, plants or plant parts, camping equipment and biological specimens (a special permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Fisheries is required)
• The following may qualify for free import by persons age 17 years and older:
  • Cigarettes (250), cigars (250 g), tobacco (250 g) or a combination of items not to exceed 250g
  • Liquor (225 L)
  • Wine(4.5 L)
  • Beer (4.5 L)
  • Goods cannot exceed FJ$400 in total value

Prohibited Items

• Unlawful drugs
• Narcotics
• Birds (all species)
• Pornography
• Counterfeit items
• Cultural artifacts and other objects of cultural importance
• Henna
• Palm trees and any byproducts
• Explosive materials
• Meat and dairy products (prohibited in Tasmania)

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

 

 

 

Helpful Website(s):

http://wwwfrca.org.fj

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1114.html