Good news for importers as they can now have their consignments cleared through real time customs clearance.

This is as a new agreement has been sealed between the Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority and the HFC Bank yesterday.

The memorandum of understanding signed between the two parties establishes a platform that provides a faster and convenient method of paying customs duties and charges at HFC Bank branches.

This service is initially being rolled in Suva and will progressively be introduced at other ports.

Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority chief executive, Jitoko Tikolevu, said: “Under the MOU, FRCA will ensure timely clearance of consignments once they have received confirmation from the bank.”

Mr Tikolevu said they had been in talks with other banks for some time now but were really grateful for HFC Bank to come on-board so quick.

Payment methods

There are two ways to make the payment.

The first is manual deposit which can be made at HFC Bank branches for Customs transaction. This essentially does not require the importer to be a HFC Bank customer.

The other more convenient method is through electronic payment services through HFC Bank’s Internet Banking facility.

However, to use this facility, the importer would need to be a HFC Bank customer as details would need to be registered before they can access their account.

As per the agreement, FRCA will assist importers in using or accessing HFC Banks’s Internet Banking facility for payments and will provide them with bank account details upon request.

HFC Bank chief executive, Isikeli Tikoduadua, said: “The REAL TIME service provides customers a quicker way to pay and clear their goods from Customs.

“HFC Bank is happy to facilitate this service for FRCA as it benefits both the customers and FRCA in meeting its goals of bringing improvement to payment efficiency.”

Mr Tikoduadua said the advantage of the Internet Banking platform would be that it is available 24 hours.

“Through our Internet Banking platform, customers can make customs payment at their convenience,” he said.

“They will be sure that the customs duty is updated in real-time at FRCA and thereby they are able to clear the goods.

“This becomes a convenient payment mode especially for after banking hours.”

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