Introduction

This article provides you with an overview of the arrival and clearance procedures for international yachts and small craft entering Fijian waters. We detail the appropriate links and documents you will need to complete and submit to the designated government body. These are very important to follow to protect Fiji’s pristine environment from harmful pests and diseases.

Arrival And Clearance Of International Yachts And Small Crafts

Drone View of moored up Yacht at Vuda Marina Lautoka

REPORT FIRST TO FIJI REVENUE AND CUSTOMS – All vessels (except yachts) arriving in Fiji from overseas ports and international waters must first report to a Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) at the Port of Entry.

UPON REACHING THE PILOT STATION, YOU WILL NEED TO CONTACT PORT CONTROL AND REQUEST FOR ENTRY INTO PORT. In the meantime, you must hoist and fly the “Q flag” on the mast until cleared by Health or unless you have received a radio pratique from Health. Also, you can request assistance from Port Control to contact Port Health, FRCS, and the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) for Clearance upon arrival.

You will be met with officials from Border Control such as Port Health, Customs, and Biosecurity on arrival and MUST REMAIN ON BOARD UNTIL THE YACHT HAS BEEN ENTERED.

These Documents Must Be Presented on Arrival:

Completed “Advance Notification/Inward Report for Yachts/small craft – Form C2-C” (PDF) (including 2 copies of crew and passengers lists) – must be submitted to yachtreport@frcs.com.fj and yachtinfo@baf.com.fj for BAF to be informed of all vessels before their arrival.
Completed “Passenger arrival card” (PDF) – every person entering Fiji must complete a personal declaration. All biosecurity risk items must be declared. If unsure, it is advisable to tick yes!
Valid passport
Clearance from the last port
Valid outward airline ticket if crew/passenger is disembarking at the port of entry and leaving the country by alternate means.
For countries that do require pre-entry visas into Fiji, crew members are required to apply for and receive approval from the Department of Immigration prior to their arrival in Fiji. Countries that are exempt are listed here.

Procedures For Yacht Entry

All yachts and crafts entering Fiji must obtain arrival clearance from the Ministry of Health [MOH] Ministry of Trade & Transport and the Department of Immigration BEFORE LEAVING THEIR PORT OF DEPARTURE AND UPON APPROVAL GIVEN TO ENTER FIJI will need to proceed straight to the designated port in Fiji for clearance and engage an agent. Requirements and the payment of any customs duty for goods not applicable under concessionary provisions of the customs law. Masters and skippers must note that all immigration clearance will be performed by Customs officers at the border.

Together with the completed Advance Notification/Inward Report for Yachts/small craft – Form C2-C, the Master is required to also present the Clearance from Last Port, passports and completed “Passenger Arrival Card” of all crew and passengers and all such individuals (including infants) to Customs at the time of boarding.

You will need to inform Customs of any disembarking crew and reasons for disembarking. The master will also be asked to complete and sign a “Notice to Owner of Yachts Declaration” before your inward clearance is granted. You will need to read and understand the contents of the Notice to Yacht Owners as any breach of any conditions may warrant heavy penalties.

If you are carrying any currency and its combined value is equivalent to FJD$10,000.00, you will be required to fill in the “Border Currency Report” as prescribed in Border Currency Reporting Act.

Note* All fields on all Customs forms/documents are “MANDATORY”. Non – compliance in the completion of forms/documents will result in unnecessary delays in clearance and/or penalty/

Charges And Customs Duty

There are Customs Charges and Duties that are payable depending on the nature of the goods and the time of clearance. Below are some charges and duties that could be levied upon arrival:

FRCS SPECIAL ATTENDANCE FEE – FRCS working hours are from 0800hrs to 1630hrs for Monday to Thursday and 0800hrs to 1600hrs for Friday. However further charges will be anticipated when attendance is requested after normal work hours prescribed under the customs law: Any Clearance done between 1630hrs and 0800hrs (Monday – Friday) – FJD$25.00 – Any Clearance done on Weekends and Public Holidays – FJD$35.00

CREW AND PASSENGER ALLOWANCES – All crew and passengers above the age of 18 years will be allowed normal passenger landing duty-free allowance of the following: (Any excess to the below allowance will be subject to import duty or being detained by Customs) – 2.5ltrs of Spirit or 4.5ltrs of Wine or 4.5ltrs of Beer, and 200 sticks of Cigarettes, or 200g cigar or 200g tobacco, or (Any combination of the above provided that it does not exceed the equivalent quantity under liquor, wine and beer, cigarette, cigar, and tobacco). Any other personal belonging up to a value of FJD$1,000.00

Firearms And Ammunition

The importation of FIREARMS IS RESTRICTED AND MUST BE DECLARED AT THE TIME OF DECLARATION IN FIJI. All firearms must be declared to the Customs Officer on the arrival of the vessel from overseas. Firearms onboard will be detained and placed for safekeeping by the Fiji Police who will hold them until the vessel’s departure. Collection times for arms should be arranged with the Police at least 48 hours before departure time. THE IMPORTATION OF WEAPONS SUCH AS FLICK KNIVES, SWORDSTICKS, KNUCKLE-DUSTERS, AND ANY WEAPON DESIGNED TO GIVE THE APPEARANCE OF ANOTHER ARTICLE IS PROHIBITED.

Biosecurity Authority Of Fiji

With the steady growth of yacht tourism, Fiji is becoming a yacht and super yacht hub in the South Pacific. While this is good news for Fiji’s tourism industry, the international yachts and super yachts entering Fiji waters also pose biosecurity risks and for this reason, they are closely monitored by the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF). BAF will undertake all measures possible to facilitate the passage of yachts through our waters but we also maintain a high level of surveillance for these vessels.

All visiting vessels including yachts need to be aware of Fiji’s Biosecurity procedures not only to avoid hefty fines and penalties but also to protect our agriculture, economy, environment, and human health from harmful foreign pests and diseases. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT WITH REGARD TO LIVING ANIMALS, POT PLANTS, MEATS, DAIRY, FRUITS, AND VEGETABLES THAT ARE ON BOARD THE YACHT. THESE ITEMS MAY CARRY PESTS AND DISEASES THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY PRESENT IN FIJI AND THEIR UNCONTROLLED IMPORTATION COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR AGRICULTURAL SECTOR AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

The uninspected yachts visiting the remote islands of Fiji are of great concern to BAF. These yachts could have on board biosecurity risk items which to the yacht master and occupants may not seem to be risk goods hence increasing the chances of introducing invasive plant or animal species and exotic pests and diseases into Fiji. WITH THIS IN MIND, BAF HAS A SURVEILLANCE BOAT, “BIOSECURITY1” WHICH CONDUCTS ROUTINE SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING OF YACHTS IN THE YASAWA AND MAMANUCA ISLAND GROUPS AS THESE ARE BOTH PRIME TOURIST SPOTS IN FIJI. Among other things, the surveillance boat is used to inspect the incoming yachts to the Mamanuca and Yasawa groups. Please cooperate with the Biosecurity Officers if your yacht is boarded for inspection.

Master’s Declaration

The Master of every vessel must complete a declaration of all risk items on board. The master or captain of the yacht must declare the following:

The destination seaport in Fiji and the estimated time of arrival of the vessel
Its immediate preceding port or place of call
The proposed itinerary of the vessel until it leaves Fiji
The nature and country of origin of its cargoThe number of passengers and crew on-board
The presence of any live animal(s) or live plant(s) on the vessel
The nature of any illness or malady affecting any live animal, plant, crew member, passenger, or other individuals on board the vessel
Please note this declaration must be made at least 24 hours before the estimated time of arrival. The vessel master is also required to complete a “Master’s Declaration Form” declaring all biosecurity risk items on board.

Biosecurity Advice To Yachts Visiting Fiji’s Outer Islands

Our people, especially those on remote islands are well-informed to keep a lookout for yachts or any vessels not cleared or inspected by the border control agencies and report them to their nearest Police Station, Customs, Health, or BAF office. Therefore, all yachts intending to visit remote areas of Fiji must first report to a “port of first entry” before proceeding to other areas in Fiji.

The vast majority of yacht and super yacht traffic that come to Fiji do observe biosecurity guidelines and abide by our laws as it is in their interest to do so. These mariners are well-traveled and familiar with Biosecurity procedures in the Pacific and elsewhere in the world. With their help and that of our communities, Fiji’s pristine environment is protected from harmful pests and diseases.

Marinas and Moorings in Fiji

Marinas	Location	Website
Vuda Marina Fiji	Lautoka	Website
Port Denarau Marina	Nadi	Website
Musket Cove Marina	Mamanuca	Website
The Pearl Resort Marina	Pac.Harbour	Website
Royal Suva Yacht Club	Suva	—
Copra Shed Marina	Savusavu	Website
Waitui Marina	Savusavu	—
Savusavu Marina	Savusavu	Website
Nawi Marina	Savusavu	Website

Future Reading
Footnotes

FURTHER READING: Remaining well-informed about travel advisories and updates is highly recommended both before and during your trip to Fiji. Prior to departure, regularly check for any official notifications or travel advisories issued by the relevant authorities listed below:

Agent – A registered Marina operating under the Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association (FIHTA) Marine Operators
Crew – any person engaged in any capacity on board a yacht
Cruising Permit – means the vessel permit issued by the Chief Executive Officer of the Itaukei Affairs Board
Custom Clearance – Certificate issued by the Fiji Island Revenue and Customs Authority under the Customs Act Cap
Master – the person in charge in command of the yacht
Passport – Travel document
Super Yacht – as defined under Super Yacht Charter decree 2010
Travel Documents – proof of identification as defined under the Immigration Act Cap.