Ship Car To Fiji

Typical Hauling Prices – How Much Does It Cost?

• There are challenges to shipping a car to Tahiti, mainly because it consists of many small islands that are not easily accessible.
• Depending on where you’re shipping a car from in the U.S. (the West Coast is cheaper), costs are generally between $2,800 and $6,000.

Cost & Time Examples For Importing a Vehicle

*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle.

*Save on ground transport costs by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.

*Allow an additional ten days to process the documents.

*Prices are for one car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to transport a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.

*The RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive, and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.

There are 333 islands and islets in Fiji, a country in the South Pacific. Only 106 of these are inhabited. Suva is the capital and largest city of Fiji. FJ, once the Pacific's most progressive democracy, has been ruled by the military since 2006. The government of Fiji has limited basic liberties and ruled by decree since April 2009, when it abrogated the country's Constitution. Some liberties were restored by a new constitution that was enacted on September 6, 2013. However, decrees remained in effect until the first sitting of Parliament, which is likely to occur sometime after elections in September 2014.

The Major Industry Of The Country

Tourism is a major industry in Fiji, and a full range of services are available. The Soft Coral Capital of the World Visitors Bureau has a wide range of information for travelers that can be accessed by visiting the Fiji Visitors Bureau's website.

“Left-handed” driving

In Fiji, drivers drive on the left side of the road. The maximum speed limit within township boundaries and built-up areas is 50 km/h (30 mph), and the national speed limit on highways ranges from 60 km/h(37 mph) to 80 km/h (50 mph).

Left-hand drive vehicles are now a restricted commodity in Fiji.

Exemptions are only granted for Diplomatic vehicles to be conditionally registered, and they must be exported out of the country upon the expiry of the diplomat's attachment.

Importing a Vehicle

Self Imported Vehicles

Since these types of vehicles have been registered in another country, the government will need to have the cancellation certificate from the previous country of registration. There should be a translated version if the cancellation certificate is not in English. The automobile cannot be transferred to another person for the next five years.

Popular Hauling Destinations:

• Labasa
• Lautoka
• Levuka
• Nadi
• Suva

Clearance Procedures

Shipping companies and Customs Agents will usually provide arrival papers around the time your vehicle is imported. Some freight forwarders/Customs Brokers or Customs Agents will also assist you with the Customs formalities. If you are completing the Customs formalities yourself, it is recommended that you make an appointment with your local Customs office.

To obtain delivery of the vehicle, you need to:

• Arrange an agricultural clearance for the motorcar through the Quarantine Section of the Biosecurity Authority of FJ.
• Arrange for a Customs clearance.

Required Documents For Importing A Vehicle

1. Quarantine/agriculture clearance.
2. Your passport.
3. The invoice receipt shows the total price paid and the date of purchase.
4. Registration papers or Certificate of Permanent Export (UK), Certificate of Title (USA), or De-registration Certificate (Japan). (create a checklist and include other countries)
5. an invoice showing export costs.
6. An invoice showing freight costs and insurance to FJ.
7. Bill of Lading.
8. The odometer reading is at the time of sale for export to Fiji.
9. Odometer reading at the time of importation into Soft Coral Capital of the World.

After Customs clearance, the vehicle should be presented to a Lands Transport Authority (LTA) agent for inspection and a compliance audit for certification for registration. You will need to produce the following documents for LTA registration purposes:

1. A copy of the bill of lading.
2. paid and certified copy of the Single Administration Document (SAD green copy)
3. De-registration Certificate.

Please note that there is no duty concession on personal motor vehicles unless they are imported by diplomatic missions, personnel, or other persons or bodies entitled to duty concessions.

Personal Belongings in Vehicles

It is recommended that you do not pack personal belongings in your automobile when it is being shipped to Fiji for the following reasons. If your motorcar is not containerized, items are very susceptible to pilferage and theft while the vehicle is on the wharf awaiting shipment or collection, or on the vessel carrying the automobile to FJ.

Many shippers or carriers will not accept your vehicle for shipment to Fiji if it is packed with personal belongings. The shipper or carrier must present a complete list of what is being transported, including the contents of your automobile, to the Fiji Revenue & Customs Authority. The complete contents of your motorcar must be declared at the time they are presented to the Soft Coral Capital of the World Revenue & Customs Authority for entry into FJ. If this is not done, you may be subject to a fine, and the vehicle and its contents may be seized.

Valuation of privately imported vehicles

The Customs value of privately imported new or used motor vehicles is determined per the provisions of the Customs Tariff Act – Revised 29 Jan 2010. Normally, the Customs value is determined as the price paid or payable. Refer to valuation.

Any overseas duties or taxes included in the price paid that have been rebated or refunded before the motorcar arrives in Fiji. An allowance for depreciation if the vehicle was personally owned and used by the importer overseas for not less than 90 days before the vehicle arrived in Fiji.

Where an importer supplies insufficient or unsatisfactory information, the FRCA may determine a value employing one of the alternative methods provided in the Customs Tariff Act 1986.

For example, an alternative method of valuation may be used when:

• The importer has purchased the vehicle overseas at an unrealistically low or token price.
• The importer acquired the motorcar as a gift or prize.
• The importer constructed the vehicle overseas.
• The value of the automobile has been altered significantly after the date of purchase, for example, by major restoration, modification, or improvement.
• Use of the depreciation allowance results in an unrealistically high Customs value.

To determine an alternative valuation:

• The Fiji market value of the vehicle, as imported, is established.
• A series of deductions are made for overseas freight and insurance, duty (where applicable), VAT, and normal markups until a nominal value for duty can be determined.
• Duty (if applicable) and VAT are calculated on the nominal value.

How to register a self-imported vehicle

You will need to fill out a first registration form. In the first registration, you must provide details about the motorcar, including the engine and chassis. This document can be presented to an insurance company, and the company will prepare a third-party policy (TPP). The TPP should be presented to the Licensing office, and permission to drive will be given to drive the vehicle from the wharf to your residence or to the LTA office for registration.

To register your vehicle, go here:

http://www.ltafiji.com/gallery/pic/appregistervehicletraile.pdf

First Registration

If it is a brand-new vehicle?

• Fill in the 1st registration form.
• Give the form to the examiner for verification.
• When the examiner gives you back the form, please take it to the customer service area.
• Pick up a number from the Q Matic machine.
• Present your form to the cashier.
• The cashier will create your vehicle ID, allocate you a number, and the following fees you will have to pay. -
  • 1st registration fees - $33.00
  • Inspection fees(o/c) - $28.00
  • Inspection fees(PSV) - $54.00
  • Annual registration - Depending on your engine cc.

Is it a secondhand vehicle?

• Fill in the 1st registration form plus an application for inspection form.
• Present your form to the cashier.
• The cashier will create the vehicle ID, allocate you a number, and accept a $14.00 application for an inspection fee if your automobile is private or commercial. If it’s a Public service vehicle, then $28.00 will be accepted.
• Give the form to the Vehicle Examiner to verify together with the relevant documents for registration. i.e
  • Bill of Lading
  • Customs Entry form. This would include – the consignee to be the same as the name on the bill of lading, commodity code of the motorcar IM 4 for unit & IMC4 for # of units, VIN number, amount of tax paid should be in cash, Approved (FIRCA) stamp with “LTA documents certification “ with an approved authorized signature.
  • Cancellation certificate and.
  • Translation version of the cancellation certificate if it’s not in English. This should be a certified translation.

All the above should be original.

• The examiner will give you the inspection check sheet. If the result is certified, ok?
• Please take it to the customer service area.
• Pick up a number from the Q Matic system.
• Present your inspection check sheet to the cashier and pay the following:
  • 1st registration fees - $33.00
  • Inspection fees(o/c) - $14.00
  • Inspection fees(PSV) - $28.00
  • Annual registration - Depending on your engine cc

If the vehicle is not certified by the examiner, you will need to take it to a garage for repair.

Moving Of Heavy Equipment & Oversized Cargo

There are various reasons for shipping large and heavy freight to Fiji. From building materials for developmental projects to large motorhomes for a family adventure, getting your goods from the U.S. to FJ can be nerve-wracking. But it doesn’t have to be. There are many steps to the process, and missing just one can set you back on time and money. A-1 Auto Transport specializes in eliminating that hassle and getting your heavy equipment or oversized cargo to Fiji on time and within budget.

A-1 has shipped a wide range of heavy equipment and oversized cargo in recent months. Including but not limited to:

• Asphalt Pavers
• Heavy Trucks
• Bulldozers
• Pontoon Boats
• Cranes
• Excavators
• Tractors
• Industrial Plant Equipment
• Log Loaders

An integral part of the shipping process is the type of vessel that’ll be used to haul your freight. A myriad of factors play into this, including whether or not your cargo is operable and its size and weight. With this in mind, there are a few transport options to consider.

If you were to be shipping a large vehicle such as an RV or any other wheeled equipment, the Roll-in/Roll-out transport method would be the most suitable option. This type of conveyance is cost-saving because wheeling the automobile onto and off of the cargo vessel is a relatively simple process.

If you were shipping a marine vessel or something inoperable, you would be aligned with a Lift-on/Lift-off vessel. These ships are designed to crane lift your cargo from the dock to the ship and then do the opposite upon delivery. This type of shipping usually results in the cargo being placed on the top of the cargo ship since it is unsackable.

A Flat Rack is a versatile option for many shipping needs, including construction materials, piping, machinery, and tracked vehicles. It acts as a hollowed-wall shipping container with an open top. Under most circumstances, uniquely large equipment or cargo would be transported on a flat rack. Packeting your cargo to protect it from the elements may also be a consideration.

Container Shipping can be a convenient choice, given that your cargo can fit within its dimensions. It is easy to transport and has simple pricing, making a shipping container an attractive choice. Containers also inherently provide security and protection from the elements.

Relevant Statistics

• On average, over 500 cars are shipped to Fiji each year.
• Approximately 90% of car imports to FJ come from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States.
• The cost of shipping a car to Fiji ranges from $1,200 to $2,500, depending on the size and weight of the vehicle.
• Around 75% of the cars shipped to FJ are used vehicles, while the remaining 25% are new.
• It takes an average of 20-30 days for a car to be delivered to Soft Coral Capital of the World after it has been shipped from its country of origin.

General Facts

• Shipping a car to Fiji involves transporting a vehicle from one location to the Soft Coral Capital of the World, usually by sea.
• It is important to check the import regulations and requirements of Fiji before shipping a car there.
• Shipping a car to FJ typically involves hiring a professional shipping company or using a freight-forwarding service.
• The cost of shipping a car to Fiji can vary depending on factors such as the vehicle's size and weight, the shipping route, and any additional services required.
• Upon arrival in Fiji, the car may need to be inspected and cleared by customs before it can be legally driven on Fijian roads.

Second-Hand Vehicles Age Restriction/Requirements

1. The Importer, while selecting the vehicle, should consider the second-hand motor vehicle importation criteria for Fiji. The criteria applicable to vehicles are as follows:

• Used or reconditioned road tractors; motor vehicles for the transport of persons; motor cars and other motorcars, principally designed for the move of persons, including station wagons and racing cars; motor vehicles for the moving of goods; dual-purpose motor vehicles; motorcar chassis; vehicle chassis fitted with engines which are less than five years of their year of manufacture.
• Used or reconditioned Special Purpose automobiles; that perform certain non-transport functions consuming any type of fuel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), and Solar road tractors; motor vehicles for the transport of persons; motor cars and other motor vehicles, principally designed for the hauling of persons including station wagons and racing cars; motor vehicles for the transport of goods; dual-purpose motorcars; vehicle chassis; vehicle chassis fitted with engines which are less than eight years of their year of manufacture.

2. The year of manufacture should be the date the automobile was produced or manufactured, not the first registration date.

3. An application should be made to the General Manager Customs, in writing, together with the relevant documents as follows:

Japanese Second Hand/Auction Vehicles

• Export Certificate (Japanese Original)
• Export Certificate (English version – to be Translated and certified by the relevant authority and not the importer)
• Further evidence, when required, to confirm the year of manufacture of the second-hand vehicle from the Road Transport Authority (Japan), signed by the authorized signatory.

Other Countries (Australia, New Zealand, USA, Singapore etc)

• Cancellation Certificate.
• De-registration Certificate.
• Relevant documents from the Road Transport Authority of the importing country to prove the year of manufacture of the vehicle must be certified and signed by the appropriate authorities.

Related Information & FAQs.

• How much does it cost to ship a car to Fiji through US transport services?