Entering Fiji: Fiji Revenue & Customs (FRCA)

Required Documents:

• Certificate of clearance from your previous port/country;
• Crew list, detailing passport numbers, nationalities and ages of all crew and their position on vessel;
• Yacht registration documents;
• Passports for all onboard, which must be valid for at least 3 months from date of departure from Fiji waters;
• Valid outward airline ticket if crew/passenger is disembarking at port of entry and leaving the country by air;
• Completed INWARD CLEARANCE DOCUMENTS;
• Additional Alcohol/Tobacco and Medical Supplies Inventory (Super yachts only)

(Please note that should anyone onboard require a visa to enter Fiji, this will also need to be provided – see ‘Visas’).

Super Yacht Special Duty Arrangement

Visiting Super yachts are liable to pay duty only on the alcohol brought in onboard the vessel and consumed while in the country. You will need to submit an inventory of all alcohol on board upon arrival. This will need to include brand, type, % of alcohol and quantity and measurement of each bottle (see example in box). Also required is an inventory of all controlled medical supplies on board.

Inventory Example

At the end of your visit, you are required to submit an updated inventory of your on board alcohol to customs who will charge import duty for each bottle brought in and consumed while cruising Fiji waters.

Please be warned that while this is all in good faith, spot checks are not uncommon and any false declarations may incur a serious fine and penalties.

Import clearance requirements

All yachts and crafts entering Fiji are subject to import clearance requirements and the payment of customs duty on arrival.

1. Together with the completed C2-2 Form ‘Advance Notification/Inward Report For Yachts/Small Craft‘ the Yacht Master is required to also present the Clearance from Last Port, passports and completed ‘Passenger Arrival Card‘ of all crew and passengers and all such individuals (including infants) to Customs at time of boarding.
2. You will need to inform Customs of any disembarking crew and reasons for disembarking.
3. You will also be asked to complete and sign a ‘Notice to Owner of Yachts Declaration‘ before your inward clearance is granted. You will need to read and understand the contents of the Notice to Yacht Owners as any breach of any conditions may warrant heavy penalties.
4. If you are carrying any currency and its combined value is equivalent to FJD$10,000.00, you will be required to fill in the ‘Border Currency Report‘.

Your entry into Fiji

Under Customs laws, visiting yachts may enter and can be kept temporarily in Fiji without payment of Customs duty on the yacht, provided:

• The yacht is the sole property of a bona fide tourist;
• The yacht is on a bona fide cruise or participating in a yacht race;
• The yacht is not abandoned in Fiji by Master/Owner; and
• The yacht shall remain in Fiji for a period not exceeding 18 months from date of arrival.

The yacht will become liable to duty if:

• It is used commercially whilst in Fiji waters (eg: commercial charter or hired);
• The owner is associated in any way with any entity in Fiji as an employer either before or after arrival; or
• The yacht is not exported within 18 months of the date of arrival into Fiji, unless a customs extension has been approved. To apply for an extension, you need to apply to the Department of Immigration.

Super Yacht charters:

Superyachts that are not registered in Fiji but intend to run charters in Fiji’s Water, are required to register their vessel with MSAF and operations with FRCA. As part of this process, MSAF will need to carry out an inspection of the vessel. This can be arranged directly or arranged through one of the registered super yacht agents. You will be expected to pay 12.5% of the charter fee to FRCA. You may refer to the Super Yacht Charter Decree 2010 for further information. For more info email: Yach…@frca.org.fj

Fiji Revenue & Customs Authority

Customs Duty

All crew and passengers above the age of 18 years will be allowed normal passenger landing duty free allowance of the following:

1. 2.25 ltrs of Spirit, or
2. 4.5 ltrs of Wine, or
3. 4.5 ltrs of Beer, and
4. 250 sticks of Cigarettes, or
5. 250g cigar, or
6. 250g tobacco, or
   (Any combination of the above provided that it does not exceed the equivalent quantity under liquor, wine and beer, cigarette, cigar and tobacco).

AND  8. A new, unused item valued at no more then F$1000.

Any excess to the above allowance will be subject  to levy of import duty and VAT or goods being detained by Customs. Please note that sealing of stores onboard is not permitted.

Yacht equipment

All equipment onboard or imported especially for the yacht will be duty free, provided they leave the country with the boat. This equipment is considered onboard a “yacht in transit” and should be labeled with the yachts name and Rotation Number, in addition to an address including a telephone number and the invoice must accompany the package. The parts will be delivered ‘under bond’ to the yacht by a Customs Officer and you will be required to pay for the Customs Officers return transport costs for this service. Be sure to keep records and receipts of any such delivery.

Prohibited Items

Firearms and Weapons

The importation of firearms and weapons is strictly controlled in Fiji. All firearms or weapons must be declared to the Customs Officer on arrival of the vessel from  overseas.

Firearms onboard will be detained and placed for safekeeping by the Fiji Police who will hold them until the vessel’s departure.

Contraband items

Please be aware that Fiji is vigilant in prosecuting those found with, drugs pornographic material and other prohibited items.

Important Requirements

The Master shall be required to provide weekly updates on status, movement and location of the vessel. Communication can be made through any of the following:

VHF Channel 16  |  T: (679) 324 3782 | (679) 324 3747 | (679) 324 3315

Customs Hotline (679) 324 3666

E: Yach…@frca.org.fj

Facsimile Suva: (679) 330 2864  |  Lautoka: (679) 666 5961 | Levuka: (679) 344 0425  |  Savusavu: (679) 885 0728

Note: You will be subject to heavy penalties under the Customs Act for any breach of the conditions of cruising.

Fees

Border Control Agencies (Customs, Immigration, Biosecurity and Health) hours of operation are Monday-Friday: 08:00-16:30. Overtime charges apply for services outside of these hours including weekends and public holidays (which both require prior arrangement). It is therefore highly advisable to time your entry for within office hours as overtime penalties add up and can become quite expensive

Cruising Permit: No charge.

Immigration: No charge unless a visa is required.

Customs: No charge. However, overtime will be charged for clearance during lunch hour (1-2pm) on weekdays at $27.40. After 16:30 at FJ$18.40 per hour; Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, at FJ$25.55 per hour. After 20:00 to 06:00 weekdays, and on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, there is a three hour minimum charge.

Health: $172.50. Overtime fees of $47.82 apply outside of office hours

Biosecurity Clearance: FJ$89.70 (which includes fee for incineration of prohibited food). Overtime rate of $182.39 applies outside of office hours.

Important Note: Please keep receipts for payments made in a safe place for departure requirements.

*Figures are subject to change