Customs Control of Exports

• All goods for exports from the time when the goods are brought to any place for exportation until the time of exportation are subject to Customs control.
• The control of export goods includes the right to examine at any time all such goods.

Prohibited and Restricted Exports

Certain goods are subject to prohibitions or restrictions under Schedules 6-9 of the Customs (Prohibited Imports and Exports) Regulation 1986

Entry of Goods for Export

• Subject to certain exceptions, the Customs Act provides that goods may not be loaded for export on to an aircraft or vessel without first being entered for export.
• The exceptions are –
  • passengers’ or crew’s baggage;
  • mail bags and postal articles;
  • where the owner has made an application for pre-shipment in form C47 upon an undertaking that the proper entry will be passed within 5 days from the departure of the vessel or aircraft.
• Goods for export shall be entered on EX1, EX2 or EX3 SAD and be supported by an export invoice.

Value of Goods for Export

• Value for exports is the price, which a purchaser would be prepared to pay for the goods on board an aircraft or ship in any port in Fiji.
• The value includes cost of the goods, packing, handling and storage charges.
• This value is thus called “Free on Board” (FOB) value.

Provisional Export Entries

• Commodities which are exported in bulk e.g. sugar, molasses, petroleum products, soya bean oil and coconut oil will be entered provisionally as, at the time of export, the quantity cannot be accurately ascertained.
• Adjusting entries are to be furnished as soon as the exporter receives confirmation of the quantity received by the purchaser.

Excise

Excise duty is not payable on excisable goods which are exported as;

• Shipped as ship’s stores;
• Exported by the manufacturer; provided that the goods are –

• • Shipped in accordance with the provisions of the Excise laws; and

Exportation of Travelers Samples

Traveler’s samples imported as privileged goods are to be entered for export under export SAD EX3 and the goods are to be examined by Customs prior to exportation. Any shortages are to be duty paid accordingly.

Exportation of Traders Samples for Subsequent Re-importation

Traders or manufacturers samples exported for display and sampling for subsequent re importation are to be entered for export under export SAD EX2.The goods will be examined at the time of exportation and upon subsequent importation.

Drawbacks

As defined in the Acts, means a refund of all or part of any import duty paid in respect of goods exported or used in a manner or for a purpose prescribed as a condition for granting drawback.

Section 111 to 126 of the Customs Regulation deals with drawback

Drawback shall be payable according to the actual quality of goods exported or shipped for use as stores, as the case may be. Excess amount are to be paid to the nearest dollar.

Drawback is not refundable in the following circumstances:

• goods prohibited by law to be exported.
• perfect entry of good that need to be made and appropriate invoices deposited with the proper officer still pending.
• if the exporter does not use form C36 for entry of goods for exportation and completes relevant certificate prior to passing of the entry
• if the Chief Executive Officer is not satisfied that goods will be re-exported from Fiji to boost trade, commerce or industry.
• if the bond security or in such other form as the proper officer may require has not been given that the goods shall be shipped and exported or otherwise accounted for to the satisfaction of the proper officer.
• goods, which are damaged and spoiled.
• goods, which after importation were used in local manufacturing or production If the the goods have not been inspected at the correct time and place before export by a proper officer.
• if the goods are not conveyed directly and without delay from the place of examination to the aircraft or ship in, which they are to be exported.

The following articles are not allowed under drawback:

• cigars
• cigarettes
• tobacco
• liqueurs
• spirits and spirituous compound
• wines
• other alcoholic beverages
• cinematograph films for public exhibition except films banned by the censors and not exhibited.

Export Ex-Warehouses

Customs Entries (SAD) will be assessed in the ASYCUDA WORLD System and the required documents shall be attached in the scan documents on the SAD i.e. export invoice, packing list, Master Bill/ House Bills and other documents as required under the Customs Prohibited Import & Exports Regulation 1986.

The Customs Agent after processing the SAD in the AW system shall generate the release note and ensure that the goods are delivered to the export station for loading in the Vessel /Aircraft and ensure that the goods are entered in the outward manifest.

Landing Certificate

Customs may require the owner of any bonded goods entered for exportation to produce a Certificate of Landing from the Customs authorities at the port of destination of goods.

Landing Certificate shall not normally be demanded unless the Chief Executive Officer issues a directive where there is suspicion of goods not being received at the port of destination.

Short Shipment of Bonded Goods Entered for Export

The exporter is required to notify the proper officer within 24 hours after the clearance of the aircraft or ship.

The goods will be re-warehoused for future exportation.