January 29, 2021 3 min read Share:

Agreement Paves way to Strengthen Border Security and Address Transnational Crime

Fiji’s border management system has been further strengthened and secured with the signing of an Agreement between the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) and the Fiji Police Force for both agencies to share information through INTERPOL database and FRCS National Customs Enforcement Network (NCEN).

The Agreement allows FRCS direct access to the INTERPOL Information System where FRCS will be able to instantly access a wide-range of criminal information located in INTERPOL’s databases including information on firearms, lost travel documents and fingerprint identification.

The Agreement was signed with the Fiji Police Force on Friday 29th January 2021. The signing of the MOA coincided with the International Customs Day 2021 celebrations at FRCS Headquarter in Suva this afternoon.

The Agreement is integral to tackling transnational crime and is also a counter terrorism risk assessment tool for importation of contrabands.

Now FRCS frontline law enforcement officers at airports and seaports can have real- time access to INTERPOL’s range of criminal databases, which contains millions of records shared by countries.

Fighting transnational crime demands greater and increased cooperation from all parties concerned and with this there is greater demand now than ever before for networking and sharing of intelligence and information in real-time, which shall enable law enforcement partners to proactively keep our communities and borders safe, while simultaneously enhancing productivity, efficiency and compliance in facilitating legitimate travel and trade.

page1image3595838080

FRCS supports and promotes coordinated border management for border security and combating organised crime.

“The signing of the Agreement is a way forward in creating a safer Fiji for all. This Agreement is a framework that will continue to enhance our capacity, capability, and information sharing. This is a way forward in creating a safer Fiji as we protect our borders and look into the transnational crimes that are impacting not only our country but the region as well. We will ensure Fiji is one that organized crime groups will find difficult to operate in.” said the Acting Commissioner of Fiji Police Force Mr. Rusiate Tudravu.

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

January 28, 2021 2 min read Share:

International Customs Day 2021

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) has implemented initiatives and processes to further support and enhance trade facilitation and ease of doing business in Fiji following the COVID-19 pandemic.
FRCS Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Jonetani Vuto said the COVID-19 challenges meant that FRCS needed to make customs process more simplified and ensure that they work better for Fijians and legitimate businesses.

Mr. Vuto made these statements in commemoration of the International Customs Day (ICD) 2021, which is celebrated world-wide on 26 January.
This year’s ICD 2021 is dedicated to the united efforts of Customs to emerge from the coronavirus crisis and support people and businesses by strengthening the global supply chain, reinforcing collaboration, harnessing technology and putting “people: at the Centre of the transformation process, with the slogan “Customs bolstering Recovery, Renewal and Resilience for a sustainable supply chain.”

According to Mr. Vuto, in the past year FRCS has further implemented initiatives and processes to support the smooth flow of goods across borders, boost confidence in trade and keep supply chains flowing and secure. “We have implemented measures to decrease dwell times at the port with speedier cargo clearance and reduced logistics costs through elimination of intermediaries in the supply chain,” he said.

“FRCS intends to minimise and eliminate unnecessary intervention in administering the transfer of under bond cargo to other port for clearance and also the incorporation of the Harbor Compliance Analyst to assess the risk for vessels and the virtual clearance of vessels together with our key border stakeholders, Immigration and Biosecurity. This initiative is to support traders facilitate the clearance of imported goods and minimise their operating cost of doing business.”

Mr. Vuto stated that FRCS is dedicated towards creating transparency and predictable conditions for trade, and facilitate legitimate business that will in turn contribute to economic growth and job opportunities.
He emphasized on the important role that Customs played in contributing to economic competiveness through border protection, combating illegal trade, trade facilitation and revenue collection. “We will continue to provide guidance, help to share best practices and information, and deliver capacity building and technical assistance support to trader, traveler, and tax payer needs to help Fiji grow”.

 

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

January 12, 2021 2 min read Share:

FRCS Announces Interim CEO, Thanks Outgoing CEO

 

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) Board announced today that FRCS Director Border Mr. Jonetani Vuto has been appointed as the Interim Chief Executive Officer to move the Organisation forward.

Mr Vuto has been with FRCS for past 31 years and brings with him a lot of experience in terms on technical and strategic guidance that is required by FRCS. He has worked in all divisions within the FRCS including Compliance, Revenue, Border and Policy.

While thanking Mr Vuto for accepting the position, the FRCS Board stated Mr Vuto’s familiarity with the Tax Office and his breadth of experience will further strengthen the management and leadership of FRCS.

The Board also sincerely thanked outgoing acting CEO Ms Fane Vave for her years of service, dedication and leadership during her term in FRCS and wished her well in her future endeavors.

 

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

October 7, 2020 2 min read Share:

FRCS Launches New Services on Taxpayer Online Services (TPOS)

This media release announces that the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service will be increasing its online service offering with the automation of four processes in November.

 

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) has announced today that four new online service modules will be available on its Taxpayer Online service (TPOS) from 3 November 2020.

The new services that will be available include (i) Tax Compliance Certificate (TCC), (ii) Taxpayer Requests for Remission of Penalties, (iii) Requests for Time to Pay Arrangements and (iv) Requests for Clarification.

Customers, who wish to access these services will therefore no longer have to physically visit the Tax Office to access these services,  as from 3 November customers will be able to simply log onhttp://mytpos.frcs.org.fj to the Taxpayer Online Services and apply.

The first phase of the Taxpayer Online Services was launched in December 2019. The services currently available online includes Environment and Climate Adaptation Levy (ECAL), Fringe Benefit Tax, Telecommunications Levy, Value Added Tax (VAT) and Taxpayer Registration.  

FRCS Acting Chief Executive Officer Ms. Fane Vave described the upcoming implementation of the four new service modules on the Taxpayer Online Services as a significant achievement for FRCS and a demonstration of its commitment to be a contemporary service oriented Organisation.

FRCS has been holding a series of consultations with all stakeholders to enhance education and awareness on the online processes of the various tax types to support taxpayers through the new transition. The videos of these tax types can be accessed on FRCS website https://www.frcs.org.fj/our-services/taxpayer-online-service-tpos/webinar-sessions/ and our You Tube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNTGMfofPp8-P_KkxOfGKaw/.

“I acknowledge the participation of different business segments, accounting firms, tax agents and individual taxpayers in our External Testers Program over the last 6 months whose feedback and input has been invaluable to test the online tax processes and are integral to our development and design process to ensure an optimal customer experience.”

Ms Vave encourages all taxpayers to access the online services and to contact FRCS on 1326 or info@frcs.org.fj, should they require any assistance on Taxpayer Online Services.

 

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

October 7, 2020 1 min read Share:

Stronger Job Support Scheme

Further to the historic levels of direct government COVID-19 unemployment assistance, the Fijian Government has announced a new hiring subsidy- the Stronger Together Jobs Support Scheme- to incentivize employers to create employment for out-of-work Fijians. Employers approved as “Stronger Together Employers” will be granted a wage subsidy equivalent to the minimum wage rate for a three-month period when they employ eligible Fijians.  

Click here to access the Expression of Interest and Application Form for this.

September 9, 2020 4 min read Share:

Partnership to Quantify Economic Benefits

 

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.   

 

August 21, 2020 3 min read Share:

FRCS Launches Container Control Programme

The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) has taken another step towards strengthening security at the borders with the launch of the Container Control Programme (CCP) in Fiji today at the FRCS Complex in Nasese, Suva.

The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) and World Customs Organization (WCO) Container Control Programme (CCP) will strengthen Fiji’s ability to process containers that pass through the nation’s ports. CCP focuses on improving risk management, supply chain security and trade facilitation in sea, land and air ports to prevent the cross-border movement of illicit goods.

The CCP has been funded by the Australian Border Force (ABF) as part of its commitment to work together with Pacific nations to strengthen regional borders. The ABF partnered with UNODC and WCO to implement the CCP and the Cargo Targeting System in Fiji – a system funded by Australia through the Fiji – Australia Vuvale Partnership.

FRCS Acting Chief Executive Officer Ms Fane W. Vave acknowledged the valuable support and collaboration with the WCO, UNODC and the Australian Government through the ABF in the establishment of the Container Control Programme.

“This is a significant accomplishment for Fiji as we are the first Customs Administration within the Oceania Region to administer the Container Control Programme,” Ms. Vave said.

“Fiji is a central hub for sea and air cargo in the Oceania region and has trade links to Australia and New Zealand as well as other countries. The creation of a dedicated risk profiling team to identify potential illicit and non-compliant shipments will mark another step of FRCS to address threats in the region”.

Ms Vave emphasised on the commitment of FRCS in targeting illicit trade and the readiness to cooperate with the global Customs community.

“We recognise that containers represent a major part of trade flows between Fiji and the rest of the world. The Container Control Programme will help us identify high risk containers and prevent drug trafficking and other illicit container crimes.”

Speaking at the launch, chief guest and Australia’s High Commissioner to Fiji, John Feakes, said Australia remains committed to working together with Fijian authorities to enhance regional border security and further strengthen the relationship.

“Every day Fiji and Australia are working together to combat shared border security challenges in the Pacific region. This program is another step to strengthen this longstanding relationship, and will protect Fiji and Fijian trade.”

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

July 13, 2020 1 min read Share:

FAKE EMAIL REFERRED TO FIJI POLICE FORCE

 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.