Arrival and Clearance of International Yachts and Small Crafts

All vessels except yachts arriving into Fiji from overseas port and international waters must first report to a Fiji Revenue and  Customs Service (FRCS) at the Port of Entry.

Upon reaching pilot station, you will need to contact Port Control and request for entry into port. In the meantime, you must hoist and fly the “Q flag” on the mast until cleared by Health or unless you have received a radio pratique from Health. Also, you can request assistance from Port Control to contact Port Health, FRCS and Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) for Clearance upon arrival.

You will be met with officials from Border Control such as Port Health, Customs, and Biosecurity on arrival and must remain on board until the yacht has been entered.

The following documents must be presented on arrival:

• Completed “Inward report ” (including 2 copies of crew and passengers lists)
• Completed “Passenger arrival card”
• Valid passport
• Clearance from last port
• Valid outward airline ticket if crew/passenger is disembarking at port of entry and leaving the country by a

Procedures of Yacht Entry

All yachts and crafts entering Fiji are must obtain arrival clearance from Ministry of Health [MOH] Ministry of Trade & Transport and Department of Immigration before leaving their port of departure and upon approval given to enter Fiji will need to proceed straight to Port Denarau for clearance and engage an agent. Requirements and the payment of any customs duty for goods not applicable under concessionary provisions of the customs law. Masters and skipper must note that all immigration clearance will be perform Customs officers at the border.

Yacht for pleasure cruising in Fiji

Super Yacht Operators

In addition to the Advance Notice of Arrival form, the yacht Master is required to also complete two (2) sets of “Inward report ” before arrival in Fiji and is to present the completed forms to Customs.

Together with the completed Inward Report Forms, the 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.

You will need to inform Customs of any disembarking crew and reasons for disembarking. The master 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.

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” as prescribed in Border Currency Reporting Act.

Note* All fields on all Customs forms/documents are “MANDATORY”. Non – compliance in completion of forms/documents will result in unnecessary delays in clearance and/or penalty.

The Advance Notification for yachts and small craft can be downloaded from the following web link;

https://www.frcs.org.fj/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Advance-Notice-of-Arrival-ANA-Form_Final..pdf

Charges and Customs Duty

There are Customs Charges and Duties that are payable depending on the nature of the goods and time of clearance. Below are some charges and duty that could be levied upon arrival:

FRCS Special Attendance Fee

FRCS working hours is from 0800hrs to 1630hrs for Monday to Friday and 0800hrs to 1600hrs for Friday. However further charges will be anticipated when attendance is requested after normal work hours prescribed under the customs law.

• Any Clearance done between 1630hrs and 0800hrs (Monday – Friday) – FJD$25.00.
• Any Clearance done on Weekends and Public Holidays – FJD$35.00

Crew and Passenger Allowances 

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

• 2.5ltrs of Spirit or
• 4.5ltrs of Wine or
• 4.5ltrs of Beer, and
• 200 sticks of Cigarettes, or
• 200g cigar or
• 200g 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).

Any other personal belonging up to a value of FJD$1,000.00

Any excess to the above allowance will be subject to import duty or being detained by Customs.

Firearms and Ammunitions

The importation of firearms is restricted and must be declared at the time of declaration in Fiji. All firearms 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. Collection times for arms should be arranged with Police at least 48 hours before departure time.

The importation of weapons such as flick knives, swordsticks, knuckle-dusters and any weapon designed to give the appearance of another article is prohibited. Other Customs Prohibited and Restricted goods are available through the FRCS website as follows:

www.frcs.org.fj/our-services/customs/customs-laws-regulations/