15 December, 2025, 1:08 pm Central - 23°C Rain

Customs Officers are the first impression of Fiji – FRCS CEO

Customs Officers are the first impression of Fiji – FRCS CEO

By Mansi Chand
26/01/2023

The Chief Executive Officer of Fiji Revenue and Customs Service, Mark Dixon says it is vital that the role customs officers play as they are the first impression of Fiji for the tourists coming into Fiji.

This was highlighted by Dixon during the celebration of International Customs Day at their headquarters in Nasese, Suva.

It is celebrated every year on the 26th of January and the theme for this year's celebration is “Nurturing the next generation promoting a culture of knowledge sharing and professional pride in customs.”

Dixon says it was tough during COVID and people do not quite realize what a significant role the customs officers play, not just in the border security sense of protecting future illegal crime, stopping illegal drugs and tobacco and human movement across our borders.

He adds that it is important to continue developing customs relations and partnerships with all customs agents to facilitate trade.

Australian Chargé d’Affaires, John Williams says specific customs functions are unique to each country and play a critical role in supporting national revenue collection, facilitating global trade that is important to global prosperity and the protection of the borders.

Raveena Mala was one of the 20 customs officers that received the World Customs Organization Certificate of Merit to acknowledge the efforts of officers.

Mala is a customs officer for the Tariff Customs Revenue Section and has been part of FRCS for the past 12 years.

She is happy that her hard work has been recognized.

FEATURE NEWS
Flash Flood and Heavy Rain warnings in force for Fiji
People are advised to be prepared for flash floods today to Wednesday as a trough of low pressure continues to affect Fiji, and this will be compounde...
47 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Rakiraki Town flooded
Rakiraki Town is flooded, and the water level is expected to rise this afternoon due to the heavy rain experienced throughout the country and the ...
3 minutes ago

Several roads and crossings in Lautoka, Ba and Rakiraki flooded and closed
Following recent heavy rain, several roads and crossings in Lautoka, Ba and Rakiraki are currently flooded and impassable.The Fiji Road Authority ...
13 minutes ago

Hunt continues for third suspect in Raiwai Top Shop aggravated robbery
The hunt continues for the third suspect who was involved in an aggravated robbery outside the Raiwai Top Shop yesterday.Two of the three ...
2 hours ago

Bystander hailed as hero after wrestling gunman to the ground during Bondi Beach attack
A passerby seen wrestling and disarming one of the gunmen who opened fire at a crowd at Bondi Beach is being heralded as a hero as footage of the ...
3 hours ago

Second suspect in Raiwai robbery arrested
The second suspect allegedly involved in an aggravated robbery outside the Raiwai Top Shop yesterday has been arrested.Police say the arrest was ...
4 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
3 days ago

I do not support police officers being charged on public opinions and without evidence - COMPOL
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu says he will stand by his officers, and he does not support any officer being charged based on public opinion ...
3 days ago

Dubai 7s 2025
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side are working on their fitness as they prepare for the start of the 2025/2026 World 7s Series this ...
7 days ago

TOP