Shipping from China to Fiji
China → Fiji · clearance by Fiji Revenue and Customs Service
For buyers shipping into Fiji, the practical question is not the ocean or flight time but what happens after arrival. Fiji is served through Suva, Lautoka; cargo enters through NAN air / Suva sea, and the inland leg is same-day, so the clearance date is effectively the delivery date.
The clearing authority is Fiji Revenue and Customs Service. Historical dwell on this gateway is around 3–8 days, and it lengthens in Sep–Nov.
How this lane actually runs
Fiji is the hub of the South Pacific and the transshipment point for cargo continuing to Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu and Kiribati. Direct Asian calls exist but most volume routes via Singapore, Auckland or Brisbane. Biosecurity screening is thorough — wood packaging and any cargo with soil or plant residue is inspected.
| Air gateways used | NAN (Nadi), SUV (Suva) |
|---|---|
| Air transit, China to gateway | 5–8 business days |
| Sea gateways used | Suva, Lautoka |
| Sea transit, China to gateway | 18–26 calendar days |
| Gateway serving Fiji | NAN air / Suva sea |
| Inland leg to Fiji | Same day from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 3–8 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
Delivery cities in Fiji
Principal delivery points: Suva, Nadi, Lautoka, Nausori, Labasa. Pick a city for the gateway it uses and the inland leg beyond clearance.
Import duty and tax position for Fiji
Fiji Revenue and Customs Service assesses duty and tax on cargo arriving for Fiji consignees. Current regime: VAT 15%; duty 0–32%, plus import excise on selected goods, with a de-minimis position of FJD 400 for personal consignments.
Conformity is the part most first-time importers underestimate: Biosecurity Authority of Fiji clearance; conformity for regulated goods. Getting this wrong is expensive because it usually cannot be fixed after the cargo has landed.
Restrictions and known friction points for Fiji: Biosecurity clearance is required for wood packaging and agricultural-risk goods. Onward island transshipment adds time and a separate handling cost.
Air, sea or overland into Fiji?
| Mode | Transit to gateway | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Air Freight | 5–8 business days | time-critical, high-value and low-volume cargo |
| 🚢 Sea Freight | 18–26 calendar days | volume cargo where cost per kilo matters more than speed |
Transit shown is China departure to the Fiji gateway and excludes the same-day inland leg to Fiji and 3–8 days of clearance.
Before you book: Fiji checklist
- Check the de-minimis position (FJD 400 for personal consignments) against your invoice value before you decide how to split the shipment.
- Compare gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) — the higher figure is what gets billed on air and express.
- Use ISPM-15 treated pallets. Untreated wood is the most common reason otherwise-clean cargo gets held.
- Budget for the inland leg: same-day delivery beyond gateway clearance to reach Fiji.
- Confirm the consignee in Fiji can act as importer of record — Fiji Revenue and Customs Service will not release cargo to an unregistered party.
- Book earlier than the transit time suggests during Sep–Nov, when space on this lane tightens.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Fiji take?
China to the Fiji gateway is 5–8 business days by air, 18–26 calendar days by sea. On top of that, allow 3–8 days of clearance with Fiji Revenue and Customs Service and a same-day inland leg to Fiji.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Fiji?
Fiji Revenue and Customs Service applies: VAT 15%; duty 0–32%, plus import excise on selected goods. The de-minimis position is FJD 400 for personal consignments. Under a DDP arrangement these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival in Fiji.
Can you deliver door-to-door in Fiji?
Yes. Delivery to a Fiji address is quoted as one figure covering freight, duty and tax owed to Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, and the same-day inland leg. Confirm whether your consignee wants the goods at a warehouse, a marketplace fulfillment center or a shop front, because the last-mile requirement differs.
Which port or airport does cargo for Fiji clear through?
Cargo for Fiji is routed via NAN air / Suva sea. Sea gateways for Fiji are Suva, Lautoka; air gateways are NAN (Nadi), SUV (Suva). We pick whichever gives the shortest total door time for your address.
What documents does Fiji Revenue and Customs Service require?
A commercial invoice with HS codes, a packing list, the bill of lading or air waybill, a certificate of origin where it lowers duty, and any product certification (Biosecurity Authority of Fiji clearance; conformity for regulated goods). We prepare and file these as part of the service.
Can you ship batteries or sensitive cargo to Fiji?
Yes. Battery cargo by air follows IATA PI 965–970 depending on how the cells are packed, and moves on certified channels via NAN (Nadi), SUV (Suva). Surcharges apply and the declaration has to be made before booking.
References & official sources
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity requirements for Fiji change by ministerial decision, sometimes mid-year. The figures on this page are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your own HS code with Fiji Revenue and Customs Service or your broker before you ship.
- Fiji Revenue and Customs Service
- WTO — Tariff Profiles (applied MFN duty by country)
- IATA — Lithium battery shipping guidance (PI 965–970)
- World Bank — Logistics Performance Index
- ICC — Incoterms 2020 rules (DDP, DAP, FOB definitions)
Page data last reviewed: November 2026.
Shipping by industry
This page covers the route and clearance picture for the destination. Packing, classification and the compliance step that actually holds a shipment depend on what you are sending — these guides cover that by commodity.
- Brake Parts Automotive & Vehicles
- Ceramic Tiles Building Materials & Construction Products
- Bathroom Products Building Materials & Construction Products
- Engineering Plastics Plastics, Rubber & Packaging
- Ceramic Components Glass & Ceramic Products
- Data Center Equipment Telecom, Computing & Data Centre
- Home Appliances Home Appliances, HVAC & Commercial
- Laboratory Furniture Furniture & Home Products
- Fabric Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Luggage Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Fire Protection Equipment Fire, Safety & Traffic Products
- Illuminated Signs Retail, Display & Commercial Fixtures
Checking the Fiji duty position yourself
Duty and tax figures on this page are planning estimates. The binding assessment is made by Fiji Revenue and Customs Service against your declared HS code at the time of entry; where the amount is material, verify the current rate through ITC Market Access Map before committing to an order.
Most landed-cost surprises trace back to classification rather than freight. the WCO Harmonized System defines the heading structure every customs administration builds on, and ITC Market Access Map will show you the duty a given heading attracts in this destination.
For ocean cargo, restricted commodities move under the IMO's IMDG Code, and the container has to be declared and stowed accordingly. Batteries, flammables and corrosives all have a compliant ocean path; what causes rolled bookings is finding out about them after the container is packed.
If this is your first shipment into Fiji, the Fiji Country Commercial Guide covers the practical import environment in more depth than a rate page reasonably can, and it is written by a party with no stake in your booking.
Watch: the process behind this route
This guide covers routing and clearance for Fiji. The video below covers the wider shipping process that sits around it.
What Is CBM? Sea Freight Volume Explained (Calculate Shipping Cost Fast!) — DDPCHAIN. Published on YouTube by a third party; we link it because it explains the process well, not because we produced it or endorse the provider.