A Customs licensee is a person or company that has been officially authorized by the Comptroller of Customs to carry out certain customs-related activities. This license allows them to engage in functions that involve handling goods under customs control, such as:
Types of Customs Licensees
| Types of Operators/Agents | Description |
|---|---|
| Customs Agent | Licensed to clear goods through customs on behalf of importers/exporters. Handles documentation, classification, valuation, duties, and compliance. |
| Bonded Warehouse Operator | Licensed to operate a customs bonded warehouse where imported goods can be stored without immediate payment of duties depending on the time period as per the Customs Act 1986. |
| Freight Forwarders / Logistics Operators | Licensed to coordinate import/export logistics in compliance with customs regulations. |
| Consol Freight station (Airfreight /Sea freight Station) Operators | Licence holder to report all the cargo entering Fiji waters by registering the inward and outward manifest for both the vessels and aircraft in compliance with the customs requirements. |
| Shipping Agent/Airline agent | Licence holder to manage the arrival and clearance of the passenger and cargo at the ports / airports in compliance with the customs requirements. |
| Manifest agent | Licence holder to report all the cargo entering Fiji waters by registering the inward and outward manifest for both the vessels and aircraft in compliance with the customs requirements. |
| Authorised clerk/Traders’ clerk | Licence holder registering the customs entry in the Customs ASYCUDA WORLD ensures that correct information is entered for imports and exports. |
Procedure Steps To Obtain Customs Licence
Step 1: Prepare Your Application
To obtain a Customs Licence under the Customs Act 1986 in the any of the areas stated above, a formal application must be submitted with all the relevant documents as per the checklist requirements.
Step 2: Submit the Application
Email the application and documents to the Chief Customs officer at the respective FRCS office. The Chief Customs Officer will vet the documents. Once in order, the application will be submitted to the Customs Licencing Committee The Customs Licencing Committee will review the application. If additional documents are required, applicant will be notified to submit them. The normal processing time for any licence is 30 working days. If supplementary documents are submitted, an additional 30days will commence from the date of submission of additional documents for reassessment and processing.
Step 3: Response from FRCS
- Once the licence is approved, the applicant will be informed of the decision via a formal letter. This will be emailed to the address provided in the application letter or can be collected in person from FRCS Complex, Nasese.
- The applicant will be required to pay the licence fees and provide the relevant bond security, after which the licencee will be allowed to operate at the approved port
- If rejected, the applicant will be informed via email with reasons for rejection of application
Refer to the checklist for more detailed information on the type of licence and requirements. For more information you can contact customsrevenue@frcs.org.fj
License Checklist
| Checklist Category | Download Checklist |
|---|---|
| CFS & AFS | Download |
| Superyacht | Download |
| Freight Forwarders | Download |
| Downtown Duty Free Shop | Download |
| Tourist VAT Refund Scheme | Download |
| Customs House Agent – Corporate | Download |
| Customs Authorized Clerk, Traders Clerk | Download |
| Airline & Shipping Agent | Download |
| Change of Company Name | Download |
| Excise Factory Checklist | Download |
| Manifest Registration | Download |
| Manifest Registration Clerk | Download |
| Customs Bonded Warehouse, Tank, Motor Vehicle Bond | Download |
Last Updated - August 7, 2025