Fiji

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Fiji, please contact Risk Services at risk@berkeley.edu or 642-5141:

  • Hire a local to work for you as an employee
  • Purchase or lease office or research space
  • Purchase or lease an automobile
  • Establish a long-term (over 90 days) or ongoing project
  • Conduct a clinical trial 

U.S. GOVERNMENT COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS 

Foreign activities may trigger many U.S. laws, including:

  • Import Controls
  • Export Controls
  • Tax Reporting
  • Foreign Bank Account Reporting
  • Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Anti-Boycott Laws 

Import Controls. UC employees must adhere to U.S. import requirements, and may need to enlist the services of a customs broker, especially for shipments arriving by sea and subject to the Importer Security Filing 71730, also known as ISF 10+2. 

Export Controls. Export controls may apply to advanced software and technology, research data, and other sensitive assets. UC’s Export Compliance FAQ contains useful information and can be found here.  Go here for the University of California plan for compliance with federal export controls. If you plan on taking or sending potentially export-controlled materials to Fiji, consult the campus Research Administration Compliance Office at 642-0120. 

Tax Reporting. The University and its employees may be taxed in foreign countries. The United States does not have a tax treaty with Fiji. For more information about double taxation issues, contact the Controller’s Office at:

Foreign Bank Account Reporting. The U.S. Treasury Department requires U.S. citizens with a financial interest in or signatory authority over a financial account in a foreign country, where accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during a calendar year, to report such accounts on a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FinCen Report 114). Those needing to complete the form should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803 for assistance. An IRS 1040 Schedule B form (Part III–Foreign Accounts and Trusts) must be filed by the signatory for any foreign bank account, regardless of the account balance. 

Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions. In general, collaborations between University personnel and scholars at foreign institutions or organizations do not require export licenses unless they involve export-controlled or -restricted research or involve scholars in sanctioned countries. Before engaging in an international collaboration, the University needs to determine whether export licenses are required and to verify that the foreign collaborator is not blocked or sanctioned. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is responsible for enforcing all U.S. embargoes and sanctions. Depending on each country’s embargo or sanction program, activities may be prohibited without specific authorization or license. UC’s International Collaborations webpage contains additional information on this topic.   

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is intended to stop bribery. It prohibits offering to pay, paying, promising to pay, or authorizing the payment of money or anything of value to a foreign official. The term “foreign official” generally includes any employee or contractor of a foreign government, and may include individuals employed by foreign universities. It is also unlawful to make a payment to a third party knowing that all or part of the payment will go to a foreign official. For more information, review the federal government’s Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. If you need further clarification, contact the UC Berkeley Office of Legal Affairs at 642-7122. 

Anti-Boycott Laws.  The U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for oversight of laws prohibiting individuals and entities from participating in boycotts not approved or sanctioned by the U.S. government. The Export Administration Act requires that requests to participate in such boycotts or to conduct activities in any of the boycotting countries be formally reported to the Department of Commerce and/or IRS.

For other compliance-related issues, refer to UC’s International Compliance webpage.   

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR DOING BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY

Foreign Bank Accounts. Employees wishing to open a foreign bank account should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803. Requests to open accounts must be made through the Office of the President’s Banking and Treasury Services Group by the Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee. 

Real Estate Agreements. Only employees with delegated authority to sign contracts on behalf of The Regents may enter into agreements, leases, or other contracts.  Foreign affiliates or operations must submit to the Real Estate Services Office property management agreements, personal property leases, or contracts with a term longer than one year or in an amount greater than $25,000 per year. The campus then seeks approval from the University president or designee. For more information, consult the Guidelines for the Establishment and Operation of Foreign Affiliate Organizations and Foreign Operations.

Articles

The US State Department's page on FIJI may be found HERE.

Personal Safety

COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC REGION CONTINUE TO ADJUST RESTRICTIONS TO STEM THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19). SEVERAL GOVERNMENTS ARE MAINTAINING PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES BUT HAVE EASED OR LIFTED MOVEMENT AND BUSINESS RESTRICTIONS. MEASURES VARY ACROSS THE REGION. AS OF NOVEMBER 19, MOST FOREIGN NATIONALS REMAIN EFFECTIVELY BANNED FROM ENTERING. FIJI AIRWAYS (FJ) CONTINUES TO SUSPEND ALL INTERNATONAL FLIGHTS. A 2300-0400 CURFEW REMAINS IN EFFECT; OFFICERS ARE MONITORING ROADS DURING THE CURFEW AND WILL SEND HOME PEOPLE WHO ARE WITHOUT VALID REASONS, SUCH AS WORK OR EMERGENCY PURPOSES. PEOPLE WHO BREACH REGULATIONS COULD FACE FINES OR IMPRISIONMENT.

Note: this page contains basic risk information. For more details, please contact the Risk Services Office at risk@berkeley.edu.

If you are traveling to Fiji on University-related business, please sign up for the University’s travel insurance program by going here. For more information on the travel insurance program, please go here.

Because everyone’s health is unique, we suggest seeking the advice of a medical professional before traveling internationally. Members of the campus community interested in protecting their health while abroad may schedule an appointment with the University Health Services International Travel.

The threat of civil unrest in Fiji is low. Protests occasionally occur in Fiji but seldom devolve into violence. Most demonstrations are related to social issues or political developments. Protests are most common in Suva and occasionally cause minor transportation delays.

Criminal activity is most prevalent in urban areas, including downtown Suva. Nonviolent crime poses a moderate threat to foreign nationals, expatriates, and local staff and is more concentrated in urban areas, including in downtown Suva and Nadi, though incidents may occur in remote regions as well. Thieves typically target purses, bags, wallets, electronic devices, and other valuables. These opportunistic crimes can occur anywhere, but especially at major tourist attractions, near hotels, along beaches, outside restaurants and bars, and in shopping centers. Foreign nationals and expatriates may be targeted due to their perceived wealth.  Crimes are more likely to escalate at night. Criminals often act in pairs or groups.

Scams pose a moderate threat in Fiji to foreign nationals and expatriates. Crimes may include price inflation, especially at local markets and by taxi drivers. 

Overall, the threat of violent crime in Fiji is moderate; foreign nationals are sometimes targeted by criminals. Violent crime, including robbery, theft, assault, and burglaries pose the highest threat in Suva and in towns and cities in western Fiji. Criminals in Fiji may not hesitate to use force if a victim resists; do not resist. 

Gender-based violence and/or discrimination poses a moderate threat in Fiji. Verbal and sexual harassment can occur, including in popular tourist areas. There is a threat of sexual assault, including against tourists, especially in isolated areas at night.

Legal/Political

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. 

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. 

Disaster preparedness:

  • Fiji is located in an area of high seismic activity called the “Ring of Fire” and is subject to earthquakes which can trigger a tsunami.
  • The rainy (or monsoon) season in the South Pacific is from November to April, when strong winds, heavy rains, landslides, and disruptions to services could occur.

LGBTI Travelers: The constitution provides that sexual orientation, gender, and gender identity and expression are prohibited grounds for discrimination; however, the right to equality and nondiscrimination may be limited for individuals pursuing adoption, marriage, devolution of property on death and pension, and holding public office.

Fiji law prohibits discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation; there are no laws specifically prohibiting discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons in other areas.

In general attitudes toward LGBTI individuals have become more accepting, especially among the young, and articles promoting tolerance are regularly found in the media