Ministry approval required for tabua export and import under new regulations

The Ministry of iTaukei Affairs is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment to strengthen the enforcement of Fiji’s regulatory framework concerning the export and import of tabua.

The Ministry says to take tabua overseas or bring one into Fiji, individuals must obtain an approval letter from the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, Culture, Heritage and Arts.

They say the next step is to obtain an export/import permit from the Ministry of Environment, and without this permit, an individual will not be allowed to take the tabua overseas or bring it into the country.

However, the Ministry says it is important to note that tabua export/import is prohibited in the United States and as such, the Ministry will not issue any approval letters.

The Ministry adds they will strictly enforce the monthly quota (16 per month) for the export of tabua.

They say there is no quota for the import of tabua, but individuals must meet all requirements, including securing the necessary permits from the country of origin and import permits from Fiji’s Ministry of Environment.

They also say approval letters and permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, and they are urging members of the public to plan ahead if they intend to take a tabua overseas, as last-minute requests often coincide with the quota already being fully utilised.

The Ministry says all members of the public are urged to comply with the regulatory framework under the Customs Regulation and CITES Act to ensure adherence to national and international conservation efforts.