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Fiji-Money-Notes-and-Coins

What is the Currency in Fiji? 💵

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About the Fijian Dollar

The unit of currency in Fiji is the Fijian Dollar, often seen written as “FJD” or “FJ$”. In this guide to the cuirrency of Fiji, we will go over money tips, currency exchange, the tax system affecting visitors, the banking system and even the money culture so you know what to expect when it comes to your money in Fiji.

5 Quick Money Tips for Fiji

  1. Most retailers and ATMs accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express
  2. 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
  3. Let your bank know you are going overseas to avoid your card getting a security lock for overseas purchases
  4. Avoid using traveller’s cheques; they are often expensive and hard to redeem
  5. Banks are typically the best place to exchange foreign currency for tourists compared to currency exchange bureaus.

For more tips concerning money and currency, take a look at the 20 Ways to Save Money When Travelling in Fiji.

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Fiji Currency Values

Fiji uses Fijian Dollars. Prices in Fiji are usually written as a dollar symbol ($), while internationally, the currency is displayed as “FJD” or “FJ$”. For cents, the symbol for cents (¢) may be used. 100 cents equals one dollar.

Fijian Dollar Coins

Fijian Dollar coins come in the values of , 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1 and $2.

Fijian Banknotes

Fijian Dollar notes come in the values of $5, $7, $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.

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Fiji 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. Check out the Fiji Tipping & Tax Guide for Travellers for more information.

Cash or Card?

In Fiji, it’s a good idea to have both cash and card on you. Cash in the local currency of Fijian Dollars is the most accepted form of payment and, in some instances, the only form of payment. It’s a good idea to always have enough Fijian Dollars in cash available to pay your way especially for markets, using local transport and when visiting remote locations and the outer islands. See some recommended values in How Much Spending Money Do You Need for Fiji?

Foreign credit and debit cards are widely accepted in towns, cities and resorts as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded. The most accepted cards are those issued by Visa or MasterCard, but some vendors also accept American Express. Note, however, that there are fees usually attached to card payments, as explained in our guide, Can You Use Your Credit Card in Fiji?

All ATM withdrawals in Fiji are in Fijian Dollars. Banks and currency exchange bureaus will exchange foreign currency.

Learn more about how to pay using our guide, What is the Best Way to Pay in Fiji?

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.

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Currency 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. If you are short on time, however, local exchange rates generally tend to be better than what’s found overseas. Find out more in The Best Place to Exchange Currency in Fiji LINK#TT007.

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.

What are the Exchange Rates Like for the Fijian Dollar?

The Fijian Dollar has quite an advantageous exchange rate when compared to the New Zealand, Australian, US or Canadian Dollar, so if exchanging from these currencies, your holiday just got a little cheaper.

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Banking and ATMs in Fiji

Fiji banks are generally open from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Fridays and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday in selected areas. Fiji is well represented by commercial banks, including ANZBank of South Pacific, Westpac and Bred 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.

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.

For more information on banks and ATMs in your chosen destination, take a look at the following guides:

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Taxes and Tax Refund Scheme in Fiji

There are a few taxes in Fiji that are likely to affect visitors, including Value-Added Tax (VAT),Environment and Climate Adaption Levy (ECAL) and the Airport Departure Tax.

Value-Added Tax (VAT)

All goods and services purchased in Fiji are subject to a 15% 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.

Tourist VAT Refund Scheme

The Fiji Tourist 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 an international airport or wharf when travelling to a foreign destination. There are certain conditions that need to be met to qualify for the Tourist VAT Refun Scheme, which you can learn more about in the Fiji Tipping & Tax Guide for Travellers.

Environment and Climate Adaption Levy (ECAL)

All goods and services bought from a service provider whose turnover is FJ$3million+ are subject to 5% Environment & Climate Adaption Levy (ECAL). In many cases, this includes popular hotels and resorts, as well as Nadi International Airport.

Airport Departure Tax

The Fiji Airport Departure Tax is included in your flight ticket price and is not collected at the airport. International passengers are charged FJ$140 for Airprot Departure Tax from Fiji.

Learn more about the taxes in the Fiji Tipping & Tax Guide for Travellers.

More About the Fiji Currency

That’s it for our complete guide to the currency of Fiji but that’s by no means the end of our money advice! Check out the following guides for more tips:

Finally, plan your entire budget for your trip using our Fiji Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to Fiji Cost?

Author

Robin C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Fiji Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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