Fiji Yacht Clearance

As with all countries, there are certain government requirements you are expected to follow when first entering Fiji.

When You Get To Fiji

Once you arrive into Fijian waters, it is your obligation to proceed proceed directly to a Port of Entry before you can make landfall. Ports of Entry can be found at the following locations:

1. Vuda Marina, Western Viti Levu
2. Lautoka Wharf, Western Viti Levu
3. Suva Harbour, Eastern Viti Levu
4. Levuka, Ovalau
5. Savusavu, Vanua Levu
6. Rotuma, Rotuma

Before You Arrive at Vuda Marina

Vessels arriving on a weekend or Fijian public holiday CANNOT clear in at Vuda Marina and must make their way to Lautoka Wharf.

If you have failed to send in your “Advance Arrival Notification Form” (otherwise known as the “C2C form”) at least 48 hours prior to your expected arrival, then you will not be permitted to clear in at Vuda Marina and will need to proceed to Lautoka Wharf. The form can be found at https://www.frcs.org.fj/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Joint-C2-C.-NEW.pdf.

It is possible to send your information more than 48 hours if you know you are expecting a long sail. For example, those yachts arriving from New Zealand and expect a 6 to 8 day sail should send through the forms from New Zealand before they leave. Exact arrival times are often unknown due to many variables, however an estimated arrival date is required.

Clearing at Vuda Marina

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If you are clearing at Vuda Marina then there are certain things you must do:

1. Raise your yellow Q flag to indicate to persons that you have not cleared customs yet
2. Radio Vuda Marina on VHF16 between the hours of 7.30am and 3pm (Monday to Friday) and advise us the name of the vessel and the date you sent your “Advance Arrival Notification or C2C form” when you are approximately 1 hour away.
3. You will then need to pickup the white quarantine mooring approximately 400m outside our channel entrance. If the mooring is already taken by another vessel, then please drop anchor nearby. The depth in this area is approximately 16m with a sand bottom.
4. Radio us again on VHF16 and advise that you are outside our channel and awaiting customs clearance.
5. You may be waiting some time as the officials are not permanently based at Vuda Marina and only attend when there is a need. Make yourselves comfortable, have a meal and relax.
6. Monitor VHF16 and await further word from Vuda Marina staff.
7. Depending on your Port of Departure, it may be necessary for you to be boarded by Ministry of Health Officials and have your vessel sprayed. If not, you will be issued with Radio Pratique and will be permitted to enter our Marina without any boarding.
8. Prepare your vessel for docking. At least 4 fenders on your starboard side at the waterline with bow and stern lines of at least 5m each. You may also wish to prepare some springer lines if it is windy.
9. When given the all-clear by Marina staff to enter the Marina channel, you will then slowly motor along the channel until you pass the rock headland on either side of you. The deck of the restaurant will be on your starboard side. 20 metres past the restaurant deck you will see a white floating pontoon. This is the boarding pontoon and staff will be on hand to assist with your lines and secure your vessel.
10. You are not yet permitted to disembark from your vessel or off load any refuse. Please await instructions from the government officials. They may decide to conduct the clearance procedure on board or may ask the captain to come into the airconditioned office. If the captain goes to the office, the crew members must wait on board and cannot disembark until the captain has returned.
11. Please have your vessel papers, the captains and all crew members passports and your completed C2C form with you.
12. There will be numerous forms for the captain to complete. Please complete them truthfully and completely. This process can take up to 1 hour depending on the number of crew members so please be patient.
13. Relevant fees will need to be paid. There is an ATM located at the Marina or major foreign currency can be exchanged at the Marina office.
14. You have now cleared customs and have officially entered Fiji. Bula Vinaka.
15. If you are staying with us, please proceed to the Marina office for further information about securing a berth. You can also apply for a cruising permit while in the office and we will help you arrange that. If you are not staying with us, we wish you a pleasant stay in Fiji. Please radio us on VHF16 prior to your departure so that we can confirm that the channel is clear for your departure.

Hours of Operation

Customs Clearance facilities are available from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday only.

Weekend and Public Holiday clearances are permitted however overtime fees will be charged by the relevant government agencies. Our advise would be to avoid arriving on a weekend or public holiday – either speed up or slow down.

Customs Clearance Charges

There are certain charges payable upon clearing into and out of Fiji.

The charges to clear INTO Fiji are as follows:

• Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority – FREE (Although an overtime charge of FJ$27.40 applies for clearances during lunch hour (1pm-2pm)
• Fiji Immigration Department – FREE (unless a visa is required)
• Biosecurity Authority of Fiji – FJ$89.70
• Fiji Ministry of Health – FJ$172.50
• Vuda Marina – FJ$75 (including your first nights berthing free)
  • note free berth is subject to availability and is not guaranteed

The charges to clear OUT of Fiji are as follows:

• Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority – FREE
• Fiji Immigration Department – FREE
• Biosecurity Authority of Fiji – FREE
• Fiji Ministry of Health – FREE
• Vuda Marina – FJ$75 (including your last nights berthing free)
  • note free berth is subject to availability and is not guaranteed

All prices are in Fijian dollars.