In an effort to collaborate and strengthen partnerships for efficient administration of Government’s revenue policies to support economic growth and improving tax compliance in the forestry sector, today the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) and the Ministry of Forestry (MoF) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). 

The Agreement formalizes a partnership between the two agencies to collaboratively work together to quantify economic benefits for both parties as well as ensuring tax and customs compliance within the industry.

Speaking at the signing this morning, Permanent Secretary for Forestry – Pene Baleinabuli said that the Agreement is a timely one as illegal activities within the Forestry sector is rife and needs to be curbed immediately.  

“Activities like illegal logging is a major global problem that not only leaves an obvious mark of destruction on forests and ecosystems but it strips the economic livelihood of local communities, and responsible companies, depriving the nation of much needed revenue,” he said. 

According to PS Baleinabuli, “this Agreement will allow the Ministry and FRCS to put up safeguards on two fronts – at the border and at its source. If we cut off their supply, illegal operators will have no choice but to close down.”

The MoA, amongst other issues, will facilitate information exchange between the two agencies that will be useful in the approval and monitoring of various forestry sector concessions, Customs clearance matters relating to timber imports and exports and more importantly, in the overall tax compliance activities relating to operators in the forestry sector.

Both the Ministry of Forestry and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service are also making renewed efforts to help the private sector to grow the economy.

“This is particularly important in a post-COVID19 era. We need to work with the private sector because it is the engine for economic growth.  It creates employment and pays taxes.”

Agencies like the Ministry of Forestry is repositioning itself to support and facilitate the needful so that the private sector could do what it does best- and that is to contribute to livelihoods and grow the economy.”

FRCS Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ms Fane Vave stated that whilst there has been an overall improvement in tax compliance in Fiji, there is no doubt that the black economy such as the exchange of cash in the primary sector is not properly accounted and declared to FRCS.

 “The MoA will greatly assist FRCS to be fully aware of all the operators who are connected with the forestry sector which will then lead to a development of targeted tax compliance strategies”, Ms Vave said.

This is the first of many partnership Agreements that the Ministry will be formalizing with other Government agencies, statutory bodies, industry stakeholders and the private sector. 

The MoA is merely a critical component of Government’s facilitation process to ensure we are capturing the correct information on revenue flows in the forestry sector.

Our other very important components include the quick turnaround time and quality facilitation for the sector in accordance with the existing regulations.

It also includes the provision of scientific and technical information based on applied research that will ensure operations in the sector have minimal impact on the environment and that in the longer term, Fiji is able to sustainably manage Fiji’s forest resources.

The Agreement between the Ministry of Forestry (MoF) and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) also extends to information sharing with regards to the import and export of timbers products and machinery.   

 The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) is compelled to correct the record on a poorly photo-shopped image of a fake e-mail relating to a former CEO of FRCS. 

“Notwithstanding obvious inconsistencies with usual FRCS correspondence, we have conducted an exhaustive search of our servers to verify that no such e-mail was ever sent across our internal network,” said Acting CEO Fane Vave. “We won’t allow FRCS’ independence to be undermined by anyone, particularly not by instigators on social media cowering behind keyboards. Moving forward, we ask the media to adhere to higher standards of fact-checking to assess the authenticity of such blatantly-manufactured images.” 

Acting CEO Fane Vave has confirmed that the matter has been referred to the Fiji Police Force’s Cybercrime Division for further investigation. 

For further information, please email publicrelations@frcs.org.fj. 

 The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) is advising members of the public to be wary of fake Facebook and WhatsApp requests demanding them to pay ‘customs clearance fees’ before their goods are released to them. 

Information gathered by FRCS revealed that a number of Fijians have been tricked through fake Facebook, WhatsApp and Messenger requests advising them that the goods they have imported were being held by ‘Customs’ and that they need to pay ‘customs clearance fees’ into numerous local bank accounts that are being provided by the scammers through social media. 

This money is then withdrawn from bank accounts by swindlers and remitted through post office to their partners. The total cash involved in all transaction to date is FJ$ 31,620. 

FRCS Acting Chief Executive Officer Ms Fane W. Vave clarified that payment for customs clearance are only done at Customs counters and through FRCS bank account. 

“We will never ask people through Facebook, WhatsApp and Messenger to make payments. If people receive such requests, they can always call our Hotline number 1326 or email us on info@frcs.org.fj for verification,” Ms Vave said. 

“Members of the public and social media users need to be vigilant as they can be victims to this type of scams. It is important for people to be aware of the scams happening.” 

Ms Vave advised victims of this scam to report the matter to relevant authorities. 

For further information, please contact on (679) 9926170 or email on info@frcs.org.fj; or dnarayan@frcs.org.fj . 

In a strategic move to expand its service delivery and demonstrate its commitment to sustainable improvement in customer services, the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) today announced its upcoming extension of service hours and introduction of a Pop-up Service Desk in Nasinu.

Effective from Friday 1 May 2020, FRCS will have Pop-up Service Desk at the Housing Authority of Fiji Head Office in Valelevu for ease of customers to access FRCS services.

In addition, from Saturday 2 May 2020, FRCS will be extending its operating hours for its Contact Centre service and Customer Service Offices in Suva, Lautoka, Nadi, Nausori and Labasa to Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.

“We understand that tax can be an intimidating topic to discuss for new entrepreneurs, small businesses and many people, therefore as an Organisation we need to simplify how we communicate and make ourselves more accessible so that it is easier for taxpayers to understand and comply with the tax rules. And more importantly, so that businesses and individuals can utilise the incentives and policies which are designed to benefit them,” said the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Fane Vave, while announcing this development.

“I acknowledge and thank Housing Authority of Fiji. And I reaffirm our commitment at Fiji Revenue and Customs Service to become a more service-oriented organization and deliver services to the taxpayers and business community,” emphasised Ms. Vave.

For further information, please email on info@frcs.org.fj.

Further to the Prime Minister Hon. Voreqe Bainimarama’s announcement, on restrictions to all inter-island shipping movements from 12am Sunday, 29 March 2020, the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) would like to urge and remind people living in the maritime communities to report any foreign yachts arriving in their waters by calling the FRCS Coast Watch Maritime Hotline phone number 3243461.

In the event that small crafts and yachts are sighted by Maritime communities, it is advised not to allow the passengers and crew on board the yacht to come into contact with the community unless proper clearance have been granted from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, Department of Immigration and FRCS.

FRCS encourages all Fijians and members of the community to report any suspicious activities and movements of yachts by calling the Coast Watch hotline number on 3243461 or email us on info@frcs.org.fj .

COVID-19 Response Budget – Summary of Revenue Policies

With the evolving situation of COVID-19 in the country, the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) has taken a number of precautionary measures to ensure health and safety of its employees, customers and community, while ensuring business continuity at the same time.

Effective today, to minimize contacts, all joint cards will be posted to customers through mail. Customers can apply for joint card through our Taxpayer Online Portal (TPOS) which can be accessed through our website www.frcs.org.fj.

Customers who do not have postal address can email us on jediservice@frcs.org.fj and confirm a time and collection date suitable to them.

“We also encourage our customers to use our online services for lodgment of returns, registration of new taxpayer Identification numbers (TIN), application of joint cards and online payment of taxes. We have implemented new preventative measures to ensure that we continue to provide critical services to our customers and stakeholders”, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Fane Vave said.

“Whilst we are encouraging the use of online services, FRCS also wishes to remind customers to refrain from sharing their confidential information such as user ID, one-time log-in code, TIN and other personal information online”.

FRCS appreciates the trust that you place in us and we thank you for your understanding as we go through this challenging time together.

END