A total of 1,133 duty-free purchase requests from the diplomatic community were processed between August 2023 and July 2024, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ 2023–2024 Annual Report.
The report, tabled in Parliament last week, revealed that monthly requests processed through FA 608 forms ranged between 90 and 100 during the 12-month period.
December 2023 recorded the highest number of requests at 100, followed by April 2024 with 97 and January 2024 with 96.
The lowest number was recorded in June 2024, when 90 requests were processed.
The Ministry said duty-free purchases were a privilege extended to diplomatic missions operating in Fiji.
“The request for Duty Free purchases through the FA 608 forms by the Diplomatic corps is a privilege for the Diplomatic Community,” the report stated.
It said diplomatic missions were allocated quarterly quotas, with requests assessed and scrutinised by the Ministry in close collaboration with Fiji Customs and Revenue Services.
“Missions have a certain quota for each quarter and are guided by the Division in terms of their requests.”
The report noted that the level of requests reflected increased utilisation of duty-free privileges by diplomatic missions to support their operations.
It said the privileges enabled missions to source vehicles and other resources necessary to carry out their responsibilities.
The duty-free arrangements were also available to international and regional organisations and development partners.
According to the report, these organisations used the privileges to obtain medical supplies, equipment and tools for development and aid purposes.
The Ministry said all requests continued to undergo assessment to ensure compliance with the applicable requirements and quotas.
