A two-week seaport and border control training in Nadi has yielded immediate results, participants intercepting a vessel carrying narcotics while it was entering the Fijian waters.

The training, which was spearheaded by the Fiji Revenue Customs Service (FRCS) with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office in Fiji, saw 85 participants from FRCS, the Fiji Police Force, Republic of Fiji Navy, Fiji Immigration Department, Ministry of Fisheries, Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF), and the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji enhance essential knowledge and skills for vessel searches. This included safety at sea, boarding operations, boarding access systems, and in-water survival techniques.

The five-day intensive training also included a set of mock exercises that focused on vessel searches and seizures, with participants searching yachts, barges, and container ships, amongst others.

On the final day of the training, the participants conducted a live search on a yacht where the officials discovered marijuana onboard. The seizure highlighted the practical efficacy of the training, as the border officials tracked the vessel due to suspicious activities before the successful interception.

Under the leadership of FRCS, these nationwide training initiatives bring together a diverse range of border control agencies, fostering collaboration, and promoting the exchange of best practices. Through this concerted effort, FRCS aims to strengthen the capabilities of all participating agencies, ensuring a unified and robust approach to border security that aligns with Fiji’s strategic goals for national defense and protection.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Hon. Siromi Turaga commended the diligent efforts and collaborative spirit demonstrated by the border agencies.

“The successful interception of narcotics underscores the critical importance of such training initiatives and the synergy among our dedicated officials. By working together seamlessly, we strengthen our ability to combat illicit activities and protect our maritime borders. I extend my appreciation to all participants for their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Fiji’s waters and territories,” said Hon. Turaga.

“The Pacific has a strong reliance on its seaports, not only for the import and export of goods, but for tourism and additional economic activity. World Bank data shows that in 2022, the importation of goods and services to Fiji accounted for 69.2 percent of the country’s gross domestic product; this figure underscores the critical need for robust controls and capacity building to be put in place”.

Applauding the efforts for the successful interception, FRCS CEO, Mr. Udit Singh stated that the seizure is a demonstration of the effectiveness of the Seaport Vessel Search training.

“I commend our officers for carrying out their duties diligently in ensuring our borders are protected from the infiltration of illicit drugs and thank UNDP and the Government of Japan for further enhancing the knowledge and skills of our officers in fighting against border threats,” Mr. Singh said.

FRCS Chief Customs Officer, Mr. Osea Dakai, said the training and subsequent live vessel search has further enhanced Fiji’s capacity to combat illicit activity in protection of the Blue Pacific Continent:

“The recent seizure during the training program exemplifies the project’s effectiveness in fortifying Fiji’s border security. Our dedication to border control and law enforcement goes beyond pronouncements; it’s a proven reality. FRCS, together with our border management partners, remains steadfast in safeguarding our maritime territory from criminal activity.”

UNDP’s Integrated Border Management Project is supported by the Government of Japan.

In a recent education and awareness session at the Pacific Polytech Institute of Technology in Labasa, our team urged the students and lecturers to sign up on our Taxpayer Online Service (TPOS) for convenience and ease of conducting business with FRCS.

Our Team has increasingly enhanced tax literacy around the country. At the Pacific Polytech Institute, they informed the students and lecturers about the vital role that the FRCS plays in Fiji’s economic development, tax compliance, VAT, how to sign up on TPOS and its benefits and other tax related issues. It was an interactive session where our team answered all queries. Should you need any assistance with tax and customs education and awareness programs, please contact us on 3243000 or 1326 or info@frcs.org.fj.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) in Fiji, in partnership with the ABF College (Compliance, Investigations & Trade Faculty) delivered an Operational Command Training Course at FRCS, as part of the ABF’s priority to support the Pacific on enhancing and strengthening border security in the region, by providing capacity building and mentoring support.

The Course is aimed to provide participants with a sound understanding of the operational command principles, the appreciation process for planning operations and enforcement responses, risk assessments, delivering operational orders and understanding the pressures of working within an operational environment.

It provides officers with the knowledge and tools to plan, lead and execute operations in a border enforcement environment.

Participants will be equipped with a generic set of operational planning principles to help their organisation to work effectively in both routine matters and planned and unplanned operations.

They will be provided with a toolkit for operational planning and practices, which supports border agencies to manage operations and incidents. Having officers from a range of different agencies including FRCS, Fiji Police Force, Republic of Fiji Navy, Fiji Transnational Crime Unit, Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division and Solomon Islands Immigration Division provided the agencies with the opportunity to network and understand various operational approaches and the importance of whole of government coordination and international cooperation.

ABF Superintendent (Pacific Offshore Network) Uriah Turner said: ‘we are excited to partner with the FRCS on this training program. We are continually working together to enhance our partnerships and operational planning and border security is a priority focus for the Governments of Australia and Fiji as referenced in the Vuvale Partnership. We look forward to working with Fiji on future initiatives to help reinforce the integrity of our borders.’

This morning, FRCS hosted the Tax Day celebrations under the theme “The Evolution of Tax and its Role in Building a Prosperous Society.” This marks the second Tax Day observed by FRCS in the past 12 years, commemorating the history of taxation in Fiji and honoring all those who have contributed to its development.

During the event, FRCS CEO, Mr. Udit Singh, shared insights into Fiji’s taxation history. According to records in Ronald Derrick’s book ‘A History of Fiji’ (1950), the earliest recorded tax in Fiji was imposed by individual chiefs during the establishment of the General Assembly in Levuka in 1865.

Mr. Singh highlighted significant milestones in Fiji’s tax legislation, noting that the first tax law was the Income Tax Ordinance 1920, followed by the Income Tax Act 1974. A pivotal moment occurred from 1988 to 1992 with the implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT) on July 1, 1992.

In 2003, there was a transition from the Tax Information System (TIS) to the Fiji Integrated Tax System (FITS). Furthermore, on April 5, 2023, FRCS announced the successful completion of its latest digital system, the Taxpayer Online Service (TPOS).

In addition to the informative sessions, the celebration featured various activities catering to all age groups, including coloring, poster, and essay competitions. It is important that our children know the critical role taxes play from a young age. It is our intention to mark Tax Day annually with a wider audience and activities.

FRCS met with the Sangam College of Nursing and Health Care Education’s Acting Head of School, Ms. Mereseini Kamunaga to discuss strategies to further enhance tax education and promote voluntary compliance through collaboration and partnership with the College.



It is imperative to equip students with essential knowledge about taxes prior to their entry into the workforce as this will not only enrich their understanding but also encourage a culture of voluntary compliance.



FRCS has been holding meetings with universities and other tertiary institutions in Fiji including the Ministry of Education FIJI to establish a more informed and educated platform for our youths on tax and customs.