About The Fijian Dollar
The unit of currency in Fiji is the Fijian Dollar, often seen written as “FJD” or “FJ$”. This guide to the Fiji currency will go through how money is commonly used in Fiji, from currency values to banking in Fiji to Value-Added Tax (VAT).
This guide will not go through current currency exchange rates between the Fijian Dollar and your home currency, it’s best to look at up-to-date exchange rates as they change very frequently. It will, however, go through the common customs for paying for things in Fiji. It will also give you some tips on currency exchange in Fiji, as well as what banks are in Fiji.
If you find this article useful, you might also want to check out Fiji Tax Guide for Travellers and 17 Ways to Save Money in Fiji.
5 Quick Money Tips for Fiji
- Most retailers and ATMs accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express
- Use a mix of cash and card: card for those bigger purchases and cash for the more remote areas or islands where credit card payment is not available
- Let your bank know you are going overseas to avoid your card getting a security lock for overseas purchases
- Avoid using traveller’s cheques. They are often expensive and hard to redeem
- Shop and dine outside of the resorts for much cheaper prices.
© FijiPocketGuide.comFiji Currency Values
Fijian Coins
Coins have a value of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2.
Fijian Banknotes
Notes have a value of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.
Due to the devaluation of the Fijian Dollar, many currencies get favourable exchange rates when converting to the Fijian Dollar.
© FijiPocketGuide.comFiji Currency Culture
There are a few ways that Fiji deals with money that might be different to what you are used to back home.
Tipping in Fiji
Tipping is not mandatory in Fiji. However, it is very much welcomed and appreciated as a gratuity for good service. It’s up to the individual to decide whether they want to tip or not.
Cash or Card?
In Fiji, it’s a good idea to have both cash and card on you. Credit cards are widely accepted in towns, cities and resorts. However, it’s a good idea to work out the cash you will need when going to any of the outer islands or taking trips to remote places. Check out What is the Cost of Travelling in Fiji for typical costs.
Swedish Rounding / Cash Rounding
Because there are no coins in the Fijian currency with the value of 1 or 2 cents, retailers will either round the price up or down to the nearest 5 or 10 cents. This only occurs when paying with cash. When paying with a credit or debit card, you will pay the exact amount.
(c )FijiPocketGuide.comCurrency Exchange in Fiji
Currency can be exchanged in banks, larger hotels and resorts, and in foreign currency bureaus mostly found in airports and city centres. However, we recommend exchanging some cash into Fijian Dollars before arriving into Fiji in order to give you the time to shop around for the best exchange rates. There are no restrictions on how much cash you can bring into Fiji, but you will need to declare and fill out a Border Cash Reporting form if bringing more than FJ$10,000 through Customs. Find out more in What to Declare When Arriving in Fiji.
When withdrawing money from a Fiji ATM, the money will be in Fijian Dollars. ATMs are widely available to withdraw Fijian Dollars within the main towns and cities of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. However, ATMs are scarce in Fiji’s outer islands.
© FijiPocketGuide.comBanking in Fiji
Fiji banks are open 9am to 4pm Mondays to Fridays and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays in selected areas. ATMs are widely available in Fiji’s main towns and cities, as well as larger hotels and resorts. Most international credit or debit cards will work as long as your card has a four-digit pin code. We recommend letting your bank know before visiting Fiji so that they don’t lock your card for being used overseas.
Fiji is well represented by commercial banks, including ANZ, Bank of Baroda, Bank of South Pacific, Westpac, Bred Bank and HFC Bank. All of the banking groups have head offices in Suva, Fiji’s capital, with other offices and agencies in Fiji’s large towns and cities.
© FijiPocketGuide.comTaxes and Tax Refund Scheme
Value-Added Tax (VAT)
All goods and services purchased in Fiji are subject to a 9% Value-Added Tax known as VAT. The VAT of a purchase is also included in the price unless stated otherwise. You can see how much VAT you have spent on a product or service by getting a receipt after your purchase. Fiscal duty is also applied to some goods, but this will not concern most travellers going to Fiji unless you’re travelling for business. But since we are in the business of planning your trip to Fiji, let’s move on…
VAT Refund Scheme
The Fiji VAT Refund Scheme allows travellers to claim a refund on VAT paid on goods bought in Fiji with selected retailers. The goods purchased must be taken out of Fiji through Nadi International Airport or Suva Wharf when travelling to a foreign destination. The conditions of the scheme include:
- Spend a minimum of FJ$500 (including VAT) in any of the scheme-approved retailers
- You must take the goods out of Fiji within two months of purchase
- You must take the goods with you in your check-in baggage or carry-on luggage
- You must ask the retailer for a refund form and attach the tax invoices.
Large souvenir stores and chains, like Jacks and Tappoo, are stores that are approved with the VAT Refund Scheme.
Other Taxes You May Be Subject to
- Service Turnover Tax (STT) – 6%
- Environment & Climate Adaption Levy – 10%
These taxes are only applied in tourist areas, such as some hotels, resorts and airports.
©FijiPocketGuide.comTypical Expenses in Fiji
When planning a trip to Fiji, it’s good to know what the typical expenses are so that you can plan your budget accordingly.
Typical Tourist Expenses
- Coach sightseeing tour (full day) – FJ$170
- Island excursion (full day) – FJ$210
- Movie ticket – FJ$8.50
- Fijian village entertainment – FJ$65
- Sports event – FJ$20
- Homestay (per night) – FJ$15-$50
- Budget hotel room (per night) – FJ$45-$250
- Resort room (per night) – FJ$250-$1,500
- Resort dinner – FJ$30-$40
- Restaurant dinner – FJ$6-$75
For more expenses, check out:
More About the Currency in Fiji
- Duty-Free Allowances for Fiji
- Fiji Tax System: How Much Does it Cost to Shop in Fiji
- Can You Use Your Credit Card in Fiji?
That’s it for the guide to the currency in Fiji. Finally, check out Fiji Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Fiji Cost? for even more budgeting tips.
