Fiji

Used 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 owner of the goods, and attached to the original invoices
• Tax identification number
• Free entry certificate, if applicable
• Diplomatic declaration, signed by the diplomatic organization
• 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 owner of the goods 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 12 months 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) / de-registration 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 should be applied for prior to the vessel arrival in Fiji
• 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.
• 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.
• Import duties for motor vehicles:
  • Vehicles exceeding 1000 cc but not exceeding 1500 cc will be subject to a $7500 specific duty.
  • Vehicles exceeding 1500 cc but not exceeding 2500 cc will now attract $11,500 per vehicle.
  • Vehicles exceeding 2500 cc but not exceeding 3000 cc will now attract $18,000 per vehicle.
  • Vehicles with 3000 cc will now attract $23,000 per vehicle.
• The duty rate on used cars is 32% of the invoice value plus 15% excise duty plus 9% VAT.

 

Note: Note that Customs will only take whichever amount is greater for payments of duty.

 

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 (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

 

Consignment Instructions

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

 

NOTE: Customs rules can shift at any time with or without notice. This paper is meant to be informative and a guide. ISF Customs Broker offers no claim, either explicit or implied, as to the correctness or relevance of this paper although ISF Customs Broker has taken reasonable care in releasing it.