Quarantine fines to rise to $1,000 under new law

Fines for quarantine violations will jump from $50 to $1,000 under proposed amendments to Fiji's 61-year-old quarantine laws.

The Quarantine (Amendment) Bill 2025, reviewed by Parliament's justice committee last month, introduces fixed penalty notices replacing outdated fines that have remained unchanged for decades.

Ship and aircraft masters who provide false information to quarantine officers or fail to comply with health regulations will face immediate $1,000 penalties under the new system.

"The Bill seeks to modernise the Quarantine Act 1964 to strengthen measures for preventing the spread of infectious diseases and align Fiji's legislative framework with contemporary international standards," the committee stated in its report.

Previously, violations carried fines of just $50 to $100 – amounts set when the Act was first passed in 1964.

The new fixed penalty system allows offenders to pay fines immediately without court proceedings.

However, those who fail to pay within the specified timeframe will face criminal prosecution with potential imprisonment up to six months.

Agents who fail to pay quarantine service fees within 31 days will face $1,000 penalties.

Companies found guilty of non-compliance could be fined up to $50,000, while individuals face $2,000 fines or 12 months imprisonment.

The amendments also expand vessel definitions to include yachts and superyachts, meaning these vessels will face the same quarantine protocols as commercial ships.

The Bill, which strengthens Fiji's capacity to safeguard against infectious disease threats, was last amended in 2010 when a $500 fine was introduced for vessel and aircraft non-compliance.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services is responsible for administering the Act.

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