Shopping in Fiji

Fresh produce is often sold through municipal markets and informal market stalls, while supermarkets and convenience stores provide packaged goods and household supplies. Personal and household products are also available from pharmacies and general stores. Check the product's original packaging, expiry date and seal before paying. Medical advice and treatment belong to health services rather than shopping. Clothing is available from formal retailers, malls, local markets and informal vendors. Check size, material, defects and the seller's exchange or warranty conditions before payment. Fiji has no single nationwide return practice for clothing based on the available information, so keep the receipt and confirm the store policy. Technology is sold mainly by authorised electronics and telecommunications retailers in urban centres. For a phone or other device, check the warranty, IMEI, network compatibility, power standard, repair options and access to replacement parts. Importing mobile phones or telecommunications equipment may require a permit from the Telecommunications Authority of Fiji (TAF). Purchases outside the main islands may take longer and offer fewer brands or repair services. Prices may be shown in Fijian dollars (FJD). Payment options include cash, cheques, internet banking, ATMs, EFTPOS, debit and credit cards, gift vouchers and mobile wallets. EFTPOS means electronic funds transfer at the point of sale. Mobile-wallet services include M-PAiSA, MyCash and Solé, alongside other licensed payment service providers. Keep some cash because acceptance, network access, fees and transaction limits differ between sellers and locations. Check the merchant name before confirming a QR or wallet payment, inspect QR stickers for tampering, and never share a PIN, one-time password or card details. Report an unauthorised transaction to the bank or card provider immediately and compare the receipt with the account statement. The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) generally applies 12.5% VAT from 1 August 2025, with separate zero-rated and exempt categories. Ask for a receipt or tax invoice and, where relevant, look for the VAT Label G. The final amount can also include duties, carrier fees, delivery charges or import costs, so confirm these with the seller, carrier or FRCS. Cost comparisons belong primarily to the costs topic. For private online imports, FRCS Concession Code 212 covers personal use and excludes resale. A consignment with a maximum CIF value of FJD 1,000, calculated from goods, insurance and freight, is exempt from fiscal duty and import excise, but VAT can still apply. Above FJD 1,000, normal duty applies to the excess. Liquor, e-cigarettes, vapes and tobacco are excluded. Restricted goods may need permits; plants, animals and related goods involve the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji, medicines involve the Ministry of Health, and mobile or telecommunications equipment may involve TAF. Online shopping in Fiji is available through local retailers, social-media offers and international platforms, but the market is fragmented. Check the seller's identity, complete product description, delivery coverage, delivery date, total price including shipping and taxes, and return or complaint channel before paying. Keep the order, chats, receipt and payment record, and avoid unverified advance payments. Do not assume door-to-door delivery. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Fiji (FCCC) enforces fair-trading, competition and limited price-regulation rules under the FCCC Act 2010. Goods should match their description, have satisfactory quality and be fit for their purpose. A receipt helps prove the purchase, although a written contract is not always required. A seller's “No Return, No Exchange” notice does not remove remedies for defective, poor-quality or wrongly described goods. Contact the seller promptly in writing and request repair, replacement or refund. There is no general fixed 14-day withdrawal period; a reasonable period depends on the goods and any warranty. The Consumer Council of Fiji (CCF) provides advice and complaint support through helpline 155, its website or app, complaints@consumersfiji.org and offices in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa. Include proof of purchase, photographs and communications. Reusable bags, refills, repairs, reuse and second-hand purchases can reduce waste where they suit the product. Thin plastic carry bags under 50 microns have been prohibited since 1 January 2020, subject to legal exceptions, and the current plastic bag levy is FJ$0.50 according to the FRCS VAT Guide. Recycling and disposal access varies locally, so check the relevant municipal service. Municipal market rules remain local; proposed 2026 nationwide market regulations and the proposed Competition and Consumer Commission Bill 2026 are not current law.