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PLANNING &
ARRIVAL
Entry
requirement
Arrival & Departure
- Airports
- Customs at International Airports
- Dutiable Goods
- Duty/VAT Free Concessions
- Departure Tax
AIRPORTS
Fiji has two
international airports - Nadi, the principal gateway and Nausori, near Suva.
CUSTOMS AT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
Fiji Customs operates a Dual
Channel System - the Red and Green Channels - for expeditious clearance of air
travellers.
-
If you have any prohibited or restricted
goods, or dutiable goods exceeding your duty/VAT free concessions, you should
seek Customs Clearance at the Red Channel.
-
If you do not have any prohibited,
restricted or commercial goods, or dutiable goods exceeding your Duty/VAT
concessions, you should proceed through the Green Channel.
Note: Your baggage may be examined by Customs whether you take the Red or Green
Channels. If this occurs, you will be required to open and repack your baggage.
DUTIABLE GOODS
Fiscal duty and VAT are
levied on all goods in excess of concessions. Fiscal duty rates vary depending
on the goods, whereas VAT is uniformly applied at 10%. VAT is applied on a base
which includes the value of the goods plus any fiscal duty payable.
DUTY/VAT FREE CONCESSIONS
A bona fide passenger finally
disembarking in Fiji is entitled to the following DUTY and VAT free concessions:
-
Dutiable goods accompanying passengers
(other than alcohol and tobacco products ) not exceeding $F400 in value
-
The following goods which are owned by
passengers and are not intended as gifts or for sale:
·
Personal
Effects
Household effects for returning residents ( must be used for 12 months prior to
departure ) or intending residents.
-
Articles taken out of Fiji on departure on
which duty and tax have been paid
The goods should not be for
sale and must be accompanied at the time of final disembarkation by the
passenger. Alternatively, the passenger purchases the goods immediately after
final disembarkation in Fiji.
Each passenger of 17 years or
more may also bring the following goods into Fiji, duty and VAT free, provided
they are accompanied and are not for sale:
-
Alcohol - 2 litres of alcohol liquor, or 4
litres of wine, or 4 litres of beer, or any combination that does not exceed
the prescribed limit for any one item.
-
Tobacco products - 500 cigarettes, or any
combination of tobacco products up to 500 grams net weight.
A Baggage Declaration Form is
to be filled and signed by the bona fide passenger in the case of unaccompanied
luggage.
DEPARTURE TAX
Visitors
to Fiji are required to pay $20.00 departure tax in Fijian currency following
check-in. Children under 12 are exempt. Entry requirement
Arrival & Departure
- Airports
- Customs at International Airports
- Dutiable Goods
- Duty/VAT Free Concessions
- Departure Tax
AIRPORTS
Fiji has two
international airports - Nadi, the principal gateway and Nausori, near Suva.
CUSTOMS AT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS
Fiji Customs operates a Dual
Channel System - the Red and Green Channels - for expeditious clearance of air
travellers.
-
If you have any prohibited or restricted
goods, or dutiable goods exceeding your duty/VAT free concessions, you should
seek Customs Clearance at the Red Channel.
-
If you do not have any prohibited,
restricted or commercial goods, or dutiable goods exceeding your Duty/VAT
concessions, you should proceed through the Green Channel.
Note: Your baggage may be examined by Customs whether you take the Red or Green
Channels. If this occurs, you will be required to open and repack your baggage.
DUTIABLE GOODS
Fiscal duty and VAT are
levied on all goods in excess of concessions. Fiscal duty rates vary depending
on the goods, whereas VAT is uniformly applied at 10%. VAT is applied on a base
which includes the value of the goods plus any fiscal duty payable.
DUTY/VAT FREE CONCESSIONS
A bona fide passenger finally
disembarking in Fiji is entitled to the following DUTY and VAT free concessions:
-
Dutiable goods accompanying passengers
(other than alcohol and tobacco products ) not exceeding $F400 in value
-
The following goods which are owned by
passengers and are not intended as gifts or for sale:
·
Personal
Effects
Household effects for returning residents ( must be used for 12 months prior to
departure ) or intending residents.
-
Articles taken out of Fiji on departure on
which duty and tax have been paid
The goods should not be for
sale and must be accompanied at the time of final disembarkation by the
passenger. Alternatively, the passenger purchases the goods immediately after
final disembarkation in Fiji.
Each passenger of 17 years or
more may also bring the following goods into Fiji, duty and VAT free, provided
they are accompanied and are not for sale:
-
Alcohol - 2 litres of alcohol liquor, or 4
litres of wine, or 4 litres of beer, or any combination that does not exceed
the prescribed limit for any one item.
-
Tobacco products - 500 cigarettes, or any
combination of tobacco products up to 500 grams net weight.
A Baggage Declaration Form is
to be filled and signed by the bona fide passenger in the case of unaccompanied
luggage.
DEPARTURE TAX
Visitors to Fiji are
required to pay $20.00 departure tax in Fijian currency following check-in.
Children under 12 are exempt.
MONEY
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CURRENCY
The Fijian dollar is
the basic unit of currency, available in denominations of $2, $5, $10,
$20, $50. Coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c and $1. There is no limit to
the amount of money to be brought in. Visitors are allowed to take out
currency up to the amount imported.
CREDIT CARD
Major credit cards
are welcomed by most hotels, restaurants, shops, rental car agencies,
tours, cruises and travel agents. American Express, Diners Club, Visa, JCB
International and MasterCard, are represented in Suva. American Express
and VISA can replace lost credit cards and travellers cheques.
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TIME ZONES
When it is 9am in Fiji,
it is:
|
9pm in London |
10pm Frankfurt |
4pm New York |
1pm Los Angeles |
6am Tokyo |
|
previous day |
previous day |
previous day |
previous day |
same day |
When your country is on daylight saving add one hour to the above time.
Between November and February, Fiji time moves forward one hour with daylight
saving.
DRESS
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Visitors to Fiji should bring a light tropical wardrobe. Bathing suits,
shorts, T-shirts and as they will soon discover "sulus" (known also
throughout the Pacific as pareau, lavalava or sarong) are a must for both
men and women. The wrap-around "sulu" is Fiji’s most distinctive and
versatile form of dress. It is women who obtain the most benefit from the
"sulu". There are at least ten different ways in which it can be used,
even for evening wear. Ask your resort staff for hints on tying and
wearing your "sulu".
Visitors are asked
to be careful not to offend local sensibilities. Wearing bikinis and
ultra-brief, swimming costumes is fine at the resort but not when visiting
villages or shopping in town. At such times it is easy to take a sulu to
use as a wrap-around so no offence is caused. Both men and women should be
careful to respect local feelings. |
BANKING
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Fiji is well
represented by banking groups. These include: The Australia and New
Zealand Banking Group (ANZ), Bank of Baroda, Habib Bank, Colonial National
Bank, Westpac Banking Corporation and Bank of Baroda.
All groups have head
offices in Suva with branches and agencies throughout Fiji.
Normal banking hours
are from 9:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Thursday and to 4:00pm on Friday. All
banks are closed on Public Holidays. ANZ operates a 24 hour service at
Nadi International Airport's Arrivals Concourse.
ANZ offers ATM
services in Suva, Nausori, Nadi, Nadi Airport, Lautoka, and Labasa.
National Bank and Westpac offer EFTPOS services in Suva, Nausori, Sigatoka,
Nadi, and Lautoka. |
COMMUNICATIONS
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Most hotels have direct dialing facilities. Check with the operator for
long distance and international charges, which may also be found in the
telephone directory. Please note that the international country IDD code
for Fiji is 679. There are no area codes. Thus, when dialling any part of
Fiji from overseas the procedure would be: access code (679) plus the Fiji
subscriber number.
MOBILE
COMMUNICATION
Vodafone Fiji
Limited, a subsidiary of Telecom Fiji Ltd, operates a GSM digital mobile
communication service. It has roaming agreements with Australian (GSM)
operators namely Telstra, OPTUS and Vodafone Pty, and New Zealand operator
- BellSouth plus UK operator Vodafone Ltd UK.
All mobile customers
are advised to check with their network operators for their roaming status
before travelling to Fiji.
To find out if you
can roam in Fiji with your GSM handset, visit the Vodafone Website for the
latest information.
COMPUTERS
Data on Fiji -
Computer Systems
System Access - Code Countries Available
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INTERNET |
www.bulafiji.com |
World-wide |
|
APOLLO |
TD*31251 |
USA & World-wide |
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SABRE |
N*/FIJI |
USA & World-wide |
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SYSTEM ONE
|
GGYGFJ |
USA & World-wide |
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GEMINI |
TD*31251/Fiji |
Canada |
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ABACUS |
GTIP FIJI
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South East Asia |
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WORLDSPAN DATAS |
GTIP FIJI
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World-wide |
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WORLDSPAN PARS |
GTIP FIJI
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World-wide |
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FANTASIA |
N*/FIJI |
Australia, New
Zealand, Fiji |
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AMADEU |
GTIP FIJI |
Europe |
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USEFUL ADDRESSES
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FIJI ISLANDS
CUSTOMS SERVICE
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Nadi International
Airport |
+679 6722191 |
+679 6720557 fax |
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Suva |
+679 3302332 |
+679 3302864 fax |
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Lautoka |
+679 6660722 |
+679 6665961 fax |
IMMIGRATION
DEPARTMENT
|
Nadi International
Airport |
+679 6722263 |
+679 6721720 fax |
|
Suva |
+679 3312672 |
+679 3301653 fax |
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Lautoka |
+679 6661706
|
+679 6668120 fax |
FIJI HOTEL
ASSOCIATION
P O Box 13560, Suva
Tel: +679 3302980 Fax: +679 3300331
FIJI DIVE
OPERATORS ASSOCIATION
P O Box 264, Savusavu
Tel: +679 8850260 Fax: +679 8850344
SOCIETY OF
FIJI TRAVEL AGENTS
P O Box 654, Suva
Tel: +679 3302333 Fax: +679 3302048
CONSUMER COMPLAINTS
The Fiji tourism
industry takes tourists complaints very seriously, and visitor feedback is
always welcome. Feedback and complaints should be directed to the Consumer
Council of Fiji or the appropriate industry association with a copy to the
Fiji Visitors Bureau.
CONSUMER COUNCIL
OF FIJI
Private Mail Bag,
Suva
Tel: +679 3300792 Fax: +679 3300115
FIJI CENTRAL POLICE STATION
Joske Street, Suva
Tel: +679 3311222 Fax: +679 3304805
Emergency Line 007
TOURIST POLICE
SERVICE
A Tourist Police
Service desk is located at the Fiji Visitors Bureau’s Information Center
on Thomson Street.
Hours are from 8:00am
to 4:30pm Monday to Thursday and to 4:00pm on Friday. Saturday’s opening
hours are 8:00am to 12:00noon. Tel: +679 3302433 Ext 215
FIJI VISITORS
BUREAU TOLL FREE VISITORS HELP LINE
Call from anywhere in
Fiji, anytime ( 24 - hour service ) for emergencies only.
0800 721 721
HEAD OFFICE -
FIJI VISITORS BUREAU
Thomson Street
PO Box 92
Suva
Tel: (679) 3302433
Fax: (679) 3300970/3302751
URL:
www.BulaFiji.com
E-mail:
infodesk@fijifvb.gov.fj
NADI AIRPORT
Fiji Visitors Bureau
Arrivals Concourse
PO Box 9217
Nadi Airport
Tel: (679) 6722433
Fax: (679) 6720141
Toll free #: 0800-6721721
E-mail:
fvbnadi@is.com.fj
Note: this office is
open extended hours and meets all international flights
JAPAN
Fiji Visitors Bureau
- Toyko
NOA Building (14th Floor)
2-3 -5 Azabudai
Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0041
Tel: (03) 3587 2038
Fax: (03) 3587 2563
Telex: (072) 32150
Email:
info@bulafiji-jp.com |
SUGGESTED READING
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There are several
excellent publications including Frommers South Pacific Comprehensive
Travel Guide; Smart Bevan’s Fiji; Moon Handbooks: Fiji, David Stanley -
Avalon Travel Publishing. For more information visit our website:
www.southpacific.org/fiji.html
Fiji A Travel Survival Kit. Robert Kay, Lonely Planet Publications; Fiji
Islands Insight Pocket Guide, James Siers - APA Publications; Fiji
Handbook, Business Travel Guide, Norman and Ngaire Douglas; Reise Handbuch
Sudsee, Marie and Ulrich Weissbach (German); and Globe Trotter, Toshikazu
Umehara (Japanese).
FOR YACHTIES
Michael Calder’s
Yachtsman’s Fiji is a professional and extremely well illustrated guide to
cruising in Fiji waters.
The Yacht Help
booklet is published annually and distributed free from Fiji Visitors
Bureau overseas offices.
ARTIFACTS
Fergus Clunie’s Yalo
I Viti is published by the Fiji Museum.
COOKERY
A Taste of the
Tropics, South Pacific Cookbook.
Traditional Medicine
Secrets of Fijian
Medicine
Dr. M.A. Weiner
Free Publication
Fiji Magic, detaining what is available, accommodation, day tours,
sight-seeing, restaurants and entertainment.
Fiji Calling,
similar publication but with several interesting features highlighting the
diversity of the Fiji Islands. Excellent map. Copies available from Fiji
Visitors Bureau offices overseas.
Spotlight on Nadi and
Spotlight on Suva, what to do and see around the Nadi and Suva areas.
HISTORY
Journals of Baron
Anatole von Hugel by Jane Roth and Steven Hooper, published by Fiji
Museum. Fascinating account of a young man’s four years in Fiji from 1875
to 1879.
Fiji and the Fijians
Vol.1 by the Rev. Thomas Williams of the Wesleyan Mission in Fiji. First
published in 1858 and reprinted by the Fiji Museum.
The United States
Exploring Expedition by Commodore Charles Wilkes, first published in 1845
and reprinted in facsimile by the Fiji Museum. An account of four years in
Fiji with a wealth of detail of life in the Fiji Islands
.
NATURAL
HISTORY
Paddy Ryan’s Fiji’s
Natural Heritage.
PICTORIAL
Children of the Sun
by Glen Craig. Case bound, large format coffee table presentations
featuring the people of the Fiji Islands. Copies available at FVB head
office, Suva
Fiji - The Uncharted Sea by Federico Busonero. Case bound, large format
coffee table presentation of Fiji’s unique marine environment. Copies
available at FVB head office, Suva
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