Getting your product into market
The Fiji market is a relatively easy market for New Zealand exporters to service due to its proximity, size and the main business language being English.
However, exporters should be aware of some of the difficulties and peculiarities. While some New Zealand exporters deal directly with the end user, the role of importers, distributors and agents is a key factor to successful exporting to Fiji.
Tariffs rates range from 0 to 30 percent.
Tax
Value added tax (VAT), assessed on the duty-paid value, is levied on almost all items at a rate of 12.5 percent. VAT is applicable on all imports, including professional services.
Businesses registered under the VAT legislation can claim an input tax credit in relation to VAT paid on their imports.
Logistics
There are international airports at Nadi and Suva. Air Pacific and Air New Zealand offer regular flights from Auckland to Nadi and Air Pacific offers weekly return flights from Nadi to Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Excellent shipping services operate between New Zealand and Fiji. The direct service between New Zealand and Fiji takes three days. Non-direct services can take up to five days.
Opportunities
- New Zealand enjoys a number of advantages in the Fijian market: geographical proximity, reliable sea and air transport services and established links between New Zealand and Fiji.
- Tourism remains Fiji’s fastest growing industry, contributing 17 percent to gross domestic product. The hotel and hospitality industry requires a large variety of products, including: food, building materials, furnishings and kitchen equipment. The number of ongoing opportunities in the hotel refurbishments and the private sector has declined sharply since November 2008.
- New Zealand produce is widely found in Fiji. Opportunities include: lamb and beef for the hospitality and food service sector, fresh fruit and vegetables and consolidated shipments of general foodstuffs for the retail sector.
- Opportunities in Fiji’s information and communications technology industry include: computer hardware and peripherals, uninterruptible power supplies and surge control systems, telephone systems, and software and hardware consultancy services.
- Fiji is the regional education hub for many of the South Pacific islands. There are opportunities in Fiji to form institutional linkages with New Zealand institutes to offer courses in demand locally such as specialist work-based skills and middle management courses.
- Fiji continues to seek alternative energy sources to supplement its heavy dependence on imported diesel fuel. It is exploring viable alternative energy sources available locally such as hydro, solar, wind and wave energy generation, and hybrids. Government is actively seeking partners in the energy sector.
Cultural and business tips
- Visas are only required for long-term visitors including business people who are in Fiji on a contract basis. If you are going to be in Fiji longer than 30 days you should check your situation with Fiji Immigration.
- New Zealand business and business practises are well known in Fiji.
- Business clothing can be casual. Due to the warm climate, jackets are rarely worn.
- New Zealand Trade and Enterprise advises all New Zealand businesses with operations in Fiji to stay in touch with their counterparts in Fiji on a regular basis to keep abreast of developments in the political situation. Please also visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade travel advice section at www.safetravel.govt.nz for the latest Fiji travel status.
- Please also visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade travel advice section at www.safetravel.govt.nz for the latest Fiji travel status.
