THE Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) will be carrying out post-budget market monitoring and enforcement activities to ensure that the benefits of the 2025–2026 Fijian National Budget, including reductions in Value Added Tax (VAT) and import duties, are passed down to Fijians.
In a statement yesterday, FCCC chief executive officer Senikavika Jiuta said that with the Government’s budget initiatives coming into effect from August 1,2025, the responsibility now rests with businesses to implement these changes fairly once they are in effect.
“Our Price Monitoring and Enforcement Taskforce is here to ensure traders are compliant as we transition to the new tax and duty rates,” Ms Jiuta said.
“Traders must adjust their prices accurately and ensure that these benefits flow directly to people as per the intention of the budget.
“Any attempt to withhold these benefits or to exploit consumers during this time of adjustment through unethical practices such as overpricing, will not be tolerated.”
The FCCC will also be working with the Fijian Revenue & Customs Services (FRCS) to conduct targeted inspections, price checks and ongoing compliance verification exercises across all divisions.
This, FCCC said, includes monitoring essential items that remain zero-rated for VAT as well as products that should reflect reduced tax and duty rates.
This work follows FCCC’s extensive pre-budget surveillance, during which over 120 market surveys were conducted nationwide to establish pricing baselines. These benchmarks, Ms Jiuta said, will now be used to compare post-budget pricing behaviour and to investigate any anomalies.
“We have clear reference points and we are watching closely,” Ms Jiuta added.
The FCCC is calling on all traders to reflect the reduced tax and duty rates in the prices of their goods and services where applicable.
“Our officers will be on the ground conducting vigorous checks and monitoring the market to ensure compliance.
“Where there is evidence of non-compliance or unfair pricing practices, the FCCC will take appropriate enforcement action, pursuing prosecutions where necessary.”
The FCCC also encourages consumers to play their part by reporting any instances where price reductions are not being reflected on shelves.
“The budget relief measures are for all Fijians. This is about fairness and accountability across the supply chain—from importer to retailer to consumer,” Ms Jiuta said.
