The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) recently concluded a technical assistance mission with the Pacific Financial Technical Assistance Centre (PFTAC) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), held from 19 to 28 October 2026, to strengthen the integrity and ongoing maintenance of the taxpayer register.

The mission was led by IMF consultant Mr. Adam Hunt, who worked closely with teams across the Service.

The aim of the mission was to build a continuing taxpayer register cleansing capability within FRCS, ensuring that taxpayer records remain accurate, complete, and up to date as part of everyday operations rather than through a one-off exercise.

An accurate taxpayer register is the foundation of effective tax administration. It ensures that filing obligations, notices, and compliance reports reflect the true position of taxpayers, reducing incorrect reminders, improving service delivery, and allowing FRCS to focus its compliance efforts where they are most needed.

During the mission, FRCS officers and Mr. Hunt discussed key issues surrounding the register, including closed businesses, estates of deceased taxpayers, and legacy records affected by past system migrations. These discussions helped identify improvements to processes, procedures, and reporting.

These improvements will strengthen data integrity, support voluntary compliance, and build greater trust and confidence among taxpayers.

FRCS extends its appreciation to PFTAC for its continued partnership and support in strengthening tax administration in Fiji.

As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting business growth and compliance, the FRCS Value Added Tax (VAT) team recently conducted a VAT training session for Micro, Medium, and Small Enterprises (MSMEs).

The training provided participants with practical knowledge on key VAT topics, including an introduction to VAT, important VAT facts, VAT registration requirements, record-keeping obligations, filing frequencies, and the process for making VAT payments to FRCS.

Equipping MSMEs with a strong understanding of their tax responsibilities is essential in helping businesses operate confidently, remain compliant, and contribute to Fiji’s economic development. The interactive session also gave participants the opportunity to seek clarification on VAT-related matters and better understand their obligations.

FRCS remains committed to supporting MSMEs through its free advisory and assistance services, which are designed to help businesses navigate tax requirements and strengthen their compliance capabilities. Through initiatives such as these training sessions, FRCS continues to foster greater awareness, encourage voluntary compliance, and support the success and sustainability of Fiji’s MSME sector.

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) wishes to clarify its position regarding recent media reports concerning the alleged disappearance of gold bullion belonging to a transit passenger at Nadi International Airport.

FRCS wishes to emphasise that airport transit security operations are not managed by FRCS and fall outside the Service’s Customs functions.

FRCS confirms that its Customs officers were not involved in the interception, questioning, inspection or screening of the passenger or his luggage at any stage.

As the passenger was transiting through Nadi International Airport, the matter did not fall under the standard Customs arrival clearance process. Any routine airport security screening undertaken was separate from Customs operations and did not involve FRCS Customs officers.

FRCS therefore wishes to clarify that its Customs officers had no involvement in the handling, inspection or custody of the gold bullion referred to in the media reports.

We acknowledge the importance of accurate and responsible reporting, particularly on matters involving public institutions. We encourage the public and media organisations to ensure that information is verified before attributing involvement or responsibility to any agency.

FRCS remains committed to transparency, accountability and maintaining public confidence in the integrity of its operations.

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) is reminding all foreign yacht owners, skippers, and crew of their legal obligation to declare all firearms and ammunition upon entry into Fiji waters.

The reminder follows a recent enforcement action involving a foreign-flagged yacht that failed to declare weapons on board, resulting in the matter being referred to the Fiji Police Force for further investigation.

Under Fiji’s Arms and Ammunition Act and Customs regulations, all firearms and ammunition carried aboard vessels entering Fiji must be declared to Customs officers at designated ports of entry, including Savusavu, Levuka, Suva, Denarau Marina, Vuda Marina, Lautoka, and Rotuma.

Any firearms and ammunition on board must be surrendered to Customs and held in secure custody by the Fiji Police Force for the duration of the vessel’s stay in Fiji. Arrangements for their release before departure must be made directly with the Fiji Police Force.

The importance of complying with these requirements was recently highlighted when FRCS Maritime officers intercepted a foreign-flagged yacht at Vuda Marina following intelligence-led risk assessments. During a targeted inspection, officers discovered one pistol and twenty-three rounds of ammunition that had not been declared by the vessel owner.

The matter has since been referred to the Fiji Police Force for further investigation and appropriate action.

FRCS Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Udit Singh, said compliance with Fiji’s border security requirements is mandatory for all vessels entering the country.

“Undeclared firearms and ammunition pose a serious risk to Fiji’s border security and public safety. FRCS will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action against individuals or vessels that fail to comply with our laws. All yacht operators entering Fiji are expected to provide complete and accurate declarations and cooperate fully with Customs and Police authorities,” said Mr. Singh.

General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of Vuda Marina Fiji, Mr. Adam Wade, said Fiji remains an open and welcoming destination for international yachts, but entry into the country depends on compliance with Fiji’s laws.  

“Declaring firearms is a straightforward legal requirement, and we urge all skippers to work transparently with our border authorities. I commend our dedicated border officers and maritime teams for their vigilance and hard work in keeping our waters secure,” he stated.

All visiting yachts are required to submit an Advance Notification/Inward Report (C2-C) at least 48 hours prior to arrival in Fiji. The declaration must accurately disclose all firearms, ammunition and other controlled items carried on board.

Failure to declare such items is a serious offence under Fijian law and may result in enforcement action, including seizure, investigation, and prosecution.

FRCS encourages all visiting yacht operators to review the requirements outlined in the joint C2-C Form and comply fully with all Customs and Police procedures. For further information on vessel clearance requirements and firearm surrender procedures, mariners are encouraged to contact their nearest FRCS Maritime office or visit the official FRCS website.

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) welcomed a delegation from French Customs in New Caledonia, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between customs administrations in the Pacific.

FRCS delegation, including Director Border, Ms. Shelini Devi and senior officers of FRCS, met with Mr. Cédric Rollet, Director of French Customs in New Caledonia, and Mr. Philippe Sigaud, Supervisor and Adviser for Regional Cooperation, to discuss shared priorities and opportunities for closer collaboration.

The meeting builds on existing regional cooperation and capacity building efforts between the two administrations. Discussions focused on exploring options for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), enhanced intelligence sharing, and officer exchange programs, which would allow customs officers from both agencies to share expertise, experience and best practice.

This meeting marks a significant milestone for Fiji as it continues to build on its relations with regional partners following its term as Chair of the Oceania Customs Organisation (OCO).

Fiji’s earlier term as OCO Chair has opened many doors for deeper engagement with our regional counterparts. Meetings such as this reinforce our commitment to working together to protect our borders, facilitate legitimate trade and travel, and address shared challenges, including transnational crime and illicit trade.

Both parties agreed that closer collaboration would help strengthen border security, improve information exchange, and enhance the capability of customs officers across the Pacific.

FRCS remains committed to working with its regional and international partners to promote secure borders, support trade facilitation, and strengthen the Pacific’s collective response to emerging customs and border risks.

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) Savusavu team attended the Rural Women’s Day Celebration at Wailevu, engaging with rural women and community members to raise awareness of the roles and responsibilities of FRCS.

The awareness session focused on educating the community on key areas, including:

• Customs Laws and Border Security – Raising awareness of Customs laws, regulations, and border security requirements.
• Voluntary Compliance – Encouraging compliance with Customs and taxation requirements and promoting voluntary compliance within the community.
• Prohibited and Restricted Goods – Providing information on the importation of prohibited and restricted items, as well as applicable Customs duties and taxes.

Community outreach initiatives such as this provide an important opportunity for FRCS to connect directly with rural communities, strengthen public understanding of Customs and taxation obligations, and encourage responsible compliance.

FRCS recognises the important role rural women and community members play in supporting national development, protecting Fiji’s borders, and contributing to the country’s revenue through voluntary compliance.

 Together, we can build informed communities, strengthen partnerships, and protect Fiji’s borders.

FRCS Suva Maritime Compliance Team successfully intercepted and detained 8,340 sticks of undeclared cigarettes from a foreign fishing vessel that arrived on Friday, 16 October 2026.

The interception was made possible through targeted risk profiling, intelligence shared by our counterpart agencies, and the vigilance of Customs officers applying effective search techniques. The officers’ alertness and thorough searches helped uncover sophisticated concealment methods, with the cigarettes hidden in difficult-to-access areas of the vessel to evade detection.

The undeclared cigarettes were valued at $65,230, representing potential government revenue loss and a risk to Fiji’s border security.

With the assistance of Fiji Detector Dogs Unit and through close collaboration with our key partners, FRCS continues to strengthen maritime enforcement, detect illicit goods and safeguard Fiji’s borders.

This successful operation highlights the importance of intelligence sharing, effective risk management, vigilant officers, thorough search techniques and strong inter-agency cooperation in protecting our maritime borders.

FRCS remains committed to protecting government revenue, combating smuggling and securing Fiji’s borders.

FRCS proudly congratulates eight of its senior women leaders who were among 26 accomplished women to successfully complete the Fiji Senior Executive Women in Leadership Programme (FSEWLP), delivered by the Fiji Institute of Chartered Accountants (FICA) at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva.

Conducted over four intensive days across two weeks, the programme brought together senior women leaders from a wide range of professions, creating a unique platform for learning, collaboration, and personal growth. Participants were empowered to deepen their understanding of business operations, strengthen professional networks, refine their leadership styles, and enhance their professional brands in an increasingly dynamic and evolving business environment.

The programme provided a transformative journey of self-discovery and leadership development, equipping participants with practical tools, fresh perspectives, and valuable insights to help them lead with greater confidence, purpose, and impact.

Lead Facilitator Dr Nacanieli Rika and Co-Facilitator Ms Sainimili Saukuru expertly guided participants through engaging and interactive sessions, emphasizing the critical role of mentors, coaches, and sponsors in supporting career advancement and leadership success. Through meaningful discussions and collaborative activities, participants freely shared experiences, exchanged ideas, and gained new perspectives on effective leadership.

A key highlight of the programme was the opportunity for participants to engage with an inspiring lineup of accomplished women leaders who shared their personal leadership journeys and professional experiences. These guest speakers highlighted the importance of self-awareness, authenticity, resilience, and leading with purpose as essential qualities of successful leadership.

For the eight FRCS women leaders, the experience was both empowering and inspiring. They expressed their sincere appreciation to their supervisors and FRCS for investing in their professional development and providing opportunities to participate in initiatives that foster leadership excellence. Their achievement reflects FRCS’s continued commitment to empowering women, developing future leaders, and fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, and professional growth.