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Cars

 

 

Buying a Car

During your first six months, you have the opportunity to buy a duty-free car or to import a car duty-free into Fiji.  This could involve buying a new or second-hand car overseas and importing it, bringing your existing car into Fiji, or buying a new or second-hand duty-free car within Fiji.

 

Due to new regulations, the cars imported into Fiji should not be older than 5 years. So make sure that when you import the car, the date of its registration overseas starts from March 2012 onward. The car remains duty-free for five years which means that it can be sold only to those who are entitled to buy duty-free cars. After five years the car can also be sold on local market.

 

If you are buying a second-hand car within Fiji be wary that Fiji roads can be very punishing on suspension, steering and wheels.  These should be thoroughly checked by an independent mechanic before deciding to purchase.  Also, some mechanical and electronic systems may not be able to be repaired here so these should all be tested and evaluated before making a decision.  Many UN staff have either decided to purchase a car from another UN staff where they can be assured of its service history or purchased a car new from a local dealership.

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If you want to buy a new or second-hand car within Fiji, try the following:

 

  • Dealers of major car brands - sometimes have showroom cars at discounted prices

  • Importers of second-hand cars (Rajen, Satish Motormart Ltd, Labasa, Ph: 881-7900, 996-5400 has been recommended, but ask around for further recommendations).

  • Coffee shop noticeboards (this is where cars which were bought duty-free will be advertised)

  • Fiji Times, classified ads, particularly on Saturdays

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There are a few websites for buying and selling used cars and car parts:

 

Alternatively, if you are with the UN you can use the LESA google email network or our facebook page to let people know you are interested in buying or selling a car.  LESA members usually advertise their car for sale or other personal belongings this way before leaving the country. 

 

If buying a new car that you may want to take with you once you leave Fiji, check the emissions standards to ensure compliant with the country you may wish to export to.  Also ask for a Statement of Compliance when purchasing.  It will save you time and hassle when it comes time to leave.

 

Once you have bought your car, you need to have it insured and registered (see below).  Third party insurance is compulsory.

 

 

Car Insurance

  • Tower Insurance (Fiji) Ltd: (Tower House, Thomson Street, Ph: 331-5955; www.towerinsurance.com.fj). Offers house contents and car insurance.

  • Sun Insurance Address: Levels G &1 SUN Insurance Kaunikuila House, Laucala Bay Road, Honson St, Suva, Fiji  Phone:+679 331 3822

 

 

Car Registration

This needs to be done once a year.  Make sure you keep an eye on the registration sticker on your car windscreen – LTA (Land Transport Authority) are vigilant in spotting and quick to fine those driving with an invalid registration. LTA office in Suva is located next to MacDonalds.

 

Your mechanic will charge a small fee to carry out the process for you; otherwise you need to do the following:

 

  • You must first renew your third party insurance (this is a separate document from the car insurance itself) – this can be done with Tower Insurance or Sun Insurance (see above), and costs FJD110-115.

 

  • Next, the car needs a fitness inspection to be carried out by either a mechanic authorised by the LTA (ask your mechanic or the office) or LTA head office Lot 1, Daniva Road, Valelevu, Nasinu (open on Saturday). It’s quite easy to do the inspection in LTA head office as you  receive the sticker on the spot. Make sure, however, to make an appointment for the inspection a day before. Ph. 3392166. Don’t forget to bring and present the third party insurance certificate. The cost of inspection at LTA head office FJD28 – exact amount sometimes required!

 

  • Finally you need to present the fitness inspection certificate and pay FJD122 to LTA, Queues are long and slow – arrive as early as possible in the morning.

 

 

Servicing/Repairs

You may choose to have your car serviced by the company dealing with your car brand.  Some large dealers, such as Niranjans Automotive Group, will service any make of car.

 

If you would prefer to find a mechanic you can deal with directly, the following have been recommended by LESA members:

  • Charlie, 81 Moala Street, Samabula (next door to Sunbeam), Ph: 337-3620, 992-5787  Will pick up your car from your house.

  • Victor, All Crash Repairs, 23 Toti Street, Lami, Ph: 336-4049  Will pick up your car from your house.

  • Thomas Sinclair, Tanz Auto Repairs, 13 Toti St (at back of Lami industrial estate) Tel 336 1404; 923 3334 (24 hour emergency service). Excellent service.

  • Carpenters Motors, Walubay Panel Ship, Syria Rd., Walu Bay, Suva. Tel.: 331 3644, mob.: 7082008; website. Does servicing, painting etc. More expensive than others but does quality work. Be aware of all charges, however, before they service your car.

 

 

Selling a Car

If you sell a car which is still duty-free, you need to inform the Ministry of Finance (they need an invoice of how much you bought the car for, and details of the amount you are selling the car for) who will then authorise the LTA to give you approval to sell the car.

 

Unless the car is sold to someone with duty-free/ tax exempt privileges (such as Embassy international staff or UN international staff during their first six months in Fiji), the buyer must pay a prorated duty. This is applied according to how long the car has been in the country.  This all takes substantial time to arrange and one is advised to start the process early.  

 

If your car has been in the country for more than five years, no duty applies.

 

Do take note that buying a car imported duty free may not in the end be advantageous. In some cases, you may likely end up paying the duty when you sell the car!  

 

 

Driver’s Licences

Your foreign driver’s licence is valid for six months in Fiji.  At this point you must obtain a Fiji Driver’s Licence.  If your licence is from a country which drives on the left hand side of the road, you obtain the licence automatically.  If your licence is from a country where driving is on the right, you will need to sit a driving test.  International driver’s licence is valid for one year. To obtain Fiji Driver’s Licence you must present to LTA a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and your TIN (Tax Identification Number).

 

Rental Cars

There are a few companies, including:

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