Step by Step: How to Import Plant or Plant Products

Registrar of Companies Office

 

• To register your business online, first visit the Registrar of Companies (ROC) portal and create an account using the online registration form. Then, verify your E-Profile by visiting your nearest Birth, Death, and Marriage or ROC office. Once verified, you'll receive a username and password to access your E-Profile, where you should change the system-generated password to a unique one. Finally, register your entity through your E-Profile, ensuring you select "Assign ROC Pass." Your application will be approved by ROC staff within 20-30 minutes.

• Reserve your Business Name by applying through Application for reservation of a company name on the Digital Fiji

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  Register the Business Name by applying through Application for Registration of a Business Name on the DigitalFiji Platform with all the required documents and submit the completed Online application.

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  Once the relevant company documents are complete, the company is required by the Companies Act, 2015, to submit the documents together with an application form and the required fee to the Office of the Registrar of Companies

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  After submitting the documents to the Office of the Registrar of Companies, you must obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN) from the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS).

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  The TIN letter must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar of Companies to facilitate the issuance of the Certificate of Registration.

Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS)

 

• To sign up for a New Taxpayer Account on the FRCS Taxpayer Online Service (TPOS), individuals must first access the TPOS portal via the FRCS website or directly at the TPOS Portal.

• After completing the registration process on the FRCS Taxpayer Online Service (TPOS) portal, the first-time login process involves using the credentials provided through email to access the portal. It's crucial to log in within 7 days, or the Applicant account will expire and the Applicant will need to register again

• For non-individuals (e.g., companies, partnerships, trusts, non-profit organizations, etc.) using the Taxpayer Online Service (TPOS), applying for a TIN is an essential step after successful registration on the portal. If you are not able to apply online, please visit the FRCS office to get assistance from the Tax officers.

Biosecurity Authority of Fiji

 

• In order to apply for the BAP certificate, you need to first ensure that your warehouse (for imports) or packhouse (for exports) is fully operational and meets all required standards. You should verify the specific requirements for your facility by checking with BAF or visiting a nearby BAF office for assistance and guidance.

• To submit your application, download the form from FTIP or the BAF website, then complete it with all required details about your warehouse/pack house and business operations. After filling out the form, visit a BAF office and submit the completed application along with the necessary documents to a BAF officer.

• After submitting your application, a local BAF office will conduct an inspection of your facility to ensure it meets the required standards. If everything is in order, your application will be sent to the Trade Facilitation and Compliance (TFC) team for further review. If your facility does not meet all requirements, you will be provided with corrective measures to address before your application can be reconsidered.

• If you are registering for a new export of BAP or Fruit Export License for fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, an invoice will be issued via the Online Invoicing System (OIS) and sent directly to your email. Payments can be made in cash, via bank transfer, online banking, or by submitting remittance advice. Alternatively, payments can also be made through mobile banking accounts such as MyCash or M-paisa.

• After completing the payment, present the receipt at the BAF counter. The BAF officer will notify you when the Compliance Certificate is ready. Once notified, visit the BAF office to collect your certificate.

Biosecurity Authority of Fiji

 

• Please consult with Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) officers to determine whether an existing import pathway is in place for plant products from the country of origin. If a pathway exists, please proceed by following the steps outlined herein. If no pathway is currently established, you are advised to consult with BAF and your supplier to explore the necessary steps for establishing one prior to submitting an Import Permit application.

• Complete the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) Import Permit Application form. Provide detailed information about the plant species, quantity, origin, and intended purpose. Submit the completed application form to BAF by hand or email.

• The BAF Permit Officer reviews the application and approves it. Once approved, the BAF permit officer creates the invoice using the invoicing module and issues it via email. Pay the Fee either in cash at the counter, online, or via credit card using the payment module on the BAF website. Payments can also be made using mobile banking accounts.

• Once the payment is completed, BAF issues the receipt using the invoicing module via email. BAF permit officer processes the import permit within 3 working days and issues the import permit to the importer via email. The importer may visit the BAF office upon receiving the notification to collect the permit. The import permit is sent via EMS to the nearest BAF Station for ease of collection.

Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS)

 

• Submit a registration request to the FRCS via email, including all required documentation. FRCS will review the submitted documents for completeness and compliance. If the application is approved, the trader will be successfully registered with FRCS.

• Shipment Arrival at Fiji Port marks the point at which the goods physically arrive in the country, and the customs procedures for assessing and releasing the goods begin. Once the goods have been shipped and arrive at the port, the Arrival Notice will be issued by the carrier or freight forwarder to inform the consignee that the goods have arrived. This notice contains critical shipment details, such as the arrival date, cargo description, and charges due for pick-up. The carrier (shipping line or airline) is responsible for registering the manifest with the Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (FRCS), but it’s important for the importer or their Customs Agent to ensure this step is carried out properly to avoid delays in customs clearance

• When registering the Customs Declaration, the importer or their Customs agent provides detailed information about the goods being imported to the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS). This declaration ensures compliance with customs regulations and facilitates the proper assessment of duties, taxes, and the clearance of goods for entry into Fiji.

• FRCS will assess customs duty and taxes based on the classification and declared value of the goods. Duty and taxes will depend on the Harmonized System (HS) Code for each product and its classification under the Customs Tariff.

• Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) reviews the declared goods to ensure they comply with all relevant laws and regulations. This may involve a physical inspection or verification of documentation to confirm the accuracy of the Customs Declaration and assess applicable duties, taxes, and compliance with import restrictions. Once the goods pass inspection and any due payments are made, FRCS issues the Customs Clearance.

• In addition to the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS), certain goods imported into Fiji may be subject to clearance by other government border agencies to ensure compliance with various regulatory requirements. These agencies play an important role in protecting public health, safety, and the environment, as well as ensuring compliance with trade regulations

• The final release of goods is the concluding step in the customs clearance process. After all required documents are submitted, duties and taxes are paid, and the necessary approvals are obtained from the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) and other regulatory agencies, the goods are ready for release to the importer. Below is the process for the final release of goods after customs clearance