Fiji Revenue and Custom Services (FRCS) requires that all yachts arriving from overseas must complete an Advance Notice of Arrival Form C2-C<\/a> for each crew member, and submit it no less than 48 hours prior to the planned ETA in Fiji<\/strong>, along with these additional documents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yachts not submitting this advance notice of arrival may be fined (minimum fine 4000FJD), have clearance delayed, withheld, or even refused.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Download form C2-C from the Fiji Customs Website.<\/a> Although FRCS is the principal agency, it is practical to send the form to all agencies (Ministry of Health, Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, Department of Immigration) via email or fax as per the list below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fiji Revenue & Customs Services (FRCS) Ministry of Health Biosecurity Immigration Have a printed copy of your C2-C form for the Custom authorities when you check-in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cruisers have reported that when they asked for it, an email confirmation of receipt was sent by Customs. Only one destination email address is necessary for advance notification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the form is not able to be sent for whatever reason, send an email to yachtsreport@frcs.org.fj<\/a> stating why this can\u2019t be done and wait for (and keep) the reply from them. Being forced to stop in Fiji due to sail and engine problems will invite a thorough inspection and difficulties in obtaining a cruising license.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yachts must give Immigration<\/strong> at least 24 hours notice of arrival (whether arriving or departing Fiji), with the expected ETA or ETD, and 48 hours if arriving on a holiday or weekend. E-mail immigration@govnet.gov.fj<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yachts must give Biosecurity<\/strong> at least 24 hours notice of arrival including the following details: destination seaport in Fiji and ETA; last port of call; proposed itinerary in Fiji; presence of live animals or plants on board; any other matter relating to biosecurity. E-mail bhpu.nadi@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You must clear in at a Customs port on arrival withing 24 hours of arriving in Fiji, and must clear outwards at a Customs port before leaving Fiji. See Main Ports in the Explore Country dropdown box at the top of the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is not<\/strong> an official port of entry. It is not possible for individual yachts to clear into the Lau Group. Clearance into Fiji has to be completed first in Suva or Savusavu, from which the Lau Islands are a difficult sail back to windward. World ARC received permission in 2017 to clear in here at Vanua Balavu<\/a> and a group of officers from Customs and Immigration, Quarantine and Biosecurity flew to this remote island specifically for the rally yachts. If you visit the Lau Group first prior to officially clearing into the country, you risk heavy fines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of clearance procedures, Fiji Customs request visiting yachts to subscribe to and activate AIS<\/strong> while in Fiji EEZ waters. Non-compliance with this request will see yachts that are not broadcasting to be shifted into their high-risk category and appropriate attention paid to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On approach, contact Port Control on VHF Channel 14\/16 to request permission to enter the port. You may or may not get an answer, but make the call regardless. Proceed directly to the designated quarantine area indicated on the chart for the port of entry you have chosen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On arrival in Fiji waters, fly the \u2018Q\u2019 flag until cleared by Health. You can request assistance from Port Control to contact Port Health, Customs and Biosecurity for clearance upon arrival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yachts arriving from the List of Countries\/Ports given below should anchor outside the port of entry at the Quarantine mooring ground for clearance. These Countries\/Ports are deemed to be Malarial Ports where Anti-Malarial Spraying has to be conducted in the yachts before proceeding to dock. The Captain is responsible for transporting Health Officials from the marina to the yacht. Fiji is currently free of Malaria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The authorities you will need to see in order to clear into Fiji are Health, Biosecurity, Customs and Immigration. Remain on board until you have been cleared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See Documents<\/a> for paperwork required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Note:<\/strong> It is strictly forbidden for anyone to leave the boat before officials have come to your boat. No one else is allowed to board the vessel, nor any person or article leave the vessel until all clearances are granted. Cruisers have reported that Fijian officials are very strict about this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once all the authorities have been visited, you now need to obtain a cruising permit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cruising Permits (valid for up to six months) are issued free of charge for all areas of Fiji and now automatically include the Lau Group. In some locations in can take up to three days to receive your cruising permit. However, this permit can also be obtained via a marina who normally charge a small administrative charge for this service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You must also send a weekly email to yachtsreport@frcs.org.fj<\/a> providing your location, crew and the direction you are headed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See Documents<\/a> for more details about the Cruising Permit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have your cruising permit in hand (2-3 days after arrival) you must take it to Customs to get a coastal clearance which enables you to cruise through Fiji without clearing in and out of different regions as used to be the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is no longer necessary to clear in and out of each Customs region visited (Suva, Levuka, Savusavu, Lautoka, Lau Group, Rotuma)<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is a requirement, however, to report your position and current cruising plans once a week. This can easily be done by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2013 VHF Channel 16 In order to be able to do this, in the absence of a sat phone, one may want to purchase a cell phone card from Vodaphone, Fiji, which has reception in most areas of Fiji.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fiji has a formidable bureaucracy that is slowly loosening up. While officials are honest and polite, meeting the demands of the state takes time and lots of paper. Go with the flow as you cannot avoid it!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 1. Customs Fiji Revenue and Custom Services (FRCS) requires that all yachts arriving from overseas must complete an Advance Notice of Arrival Form C2-C for each crew member, and submit it no less than 48 hours prior to the planned ETA in Fiji, along with these additional documents: Yachts not submitting this advance notice of arrival may be … <\/p>\n\n
Note: This form is a lengthy one and requires good internet bandwidth to upload attachments (for example in Vava\u2019u in Tonga the bandwidth is not enough).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Email: yachtsreport@frcs.org.fj<\/a>
Fax: +679 666 0570 (Att: Border Control)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Email: niko.nadolo@govnet.gov.fj<\/a>
Fax: +679 666 0570 (Att: Border Control)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Email: bhpu.nadi@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Email: immigration@govnet.gov.fj<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Immigration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Biosecurity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Arrival Formalities for Fiji<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ports of Entry:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Lau Group:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Advance Notification:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
General Process:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
<\/strong>It\u2019s possible a Maritime Health Declaration will need to be completed by all crew on arrival and a Health Arrival card.
See information above about Anti-Malarial spraying if coming from certain countries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The captain will be instructed to await the arrival of the BAF boat or to proceed directly to the wharf and await the BAF officer\u2019s arrival. The BAF levy a fee for this clearance which must be paid at the Divisional Medical Officer\u2019s office. The captain should inform the authorities if there are any prohibited items aboard.
A full list of biosecurity goods that must be declared can be found on the\u00a0Customs website<\/a>. Some items will not be permitted to be kept aboard the yacht for the duration of the visit in Fiji. What is allowed to stay aboard will be at the discretion of the BAF officer at the time of inspection.
For vessels arriving from Healthy Ports (free\u00a0of Malaria, Yellow Fever or any other dangerous\u00a0communicable diseases), Radio Pratique (approval\u00a0to berth alongside) may be requested, however,\u00a0the Health Quarantine\u00a0officers may still board your\u00a0vessel for inspection.
The Skipper will have to complete a Master\u2019s Declaration Form declaring all Biosecurity risk items on board.\u00a0See Biosecurity for more details<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Everyone needs permission from a Customs\/Immigration\u00a0officer before they disembark. Port Control should be asked to send out an Immigration officer, but if he does not meet the yacht on arrival, a message should be sent via the Customs officer repeating this request. The Immigration Department may expect to be reimbursed for the taxi fare to get the officer to the wharf and back.
If you wish to cruise in Fiji Waters, in addition to the Customs clearance you must also obtain a clearance at any port from the Coconut Pest and Diseases Board. Certain Islands and places in Fiji are free of rhinoceros beetle and you may be proceeding from a dirty area to an uninfested area.
Cruisers report that there are copious forms to fill out in duplicate using carbon paper (in addition to the forms you need to send for advance notification to Customs \u2013 see top).
There is no fee for Customs and Immigration if you do not require a visa, but it is appreciated if you have a printed copy of your C2C form ready.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nDomestic Cruising in Fiji<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Notes:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Departure Formalities for Fiji<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Domestic Clearance:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 Telephone: 324 3782\/3747\/3315 \/ Fax no.: as for Customs
\u2013 Customs Hotline: 324 3666
\u2013 E-mail: yachtsreport@frcs.org.fj<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nInternational Clearance:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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