30% Discount on Cargo Rates for some Relief Packages from Donors Abroad
Fijians living abroad who want to send relief supplies to assist those affected by Tropical Cyclone Yasa are eligible to a 30 per cent discount on cargo rates. Yesterday, the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management announced the ‘ TC Yasa Loloma Package’ in collaboration with the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service and Fiji Airways.
National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) Director Vasiti Soko said the package gives organisations, groups and individuals a 30 per cent discount when sending disaster relief items to Fiji through Fiji Airways.
The discount on market cargo rates is applicable for consignment of relief items from Auckland, Sydney and Los Angeles and is valid until January 15, 2021 depending on the availability of space on flights. The package complements the duty concession on disaster relief goods put in place by FRCS with the exemption of VAT, Fiscal Duty and Import Excise.
Donors have two options whether to send the consignment directly to NDMO or to NDMO Certified Partners for distribution.
Director Revenue, Fazrul Rahman, said they have already streamlined their processes with regards to the importation of goods that goes through the NDMO. Through their pre-screening and pre-clearance processes, Mr Rahman said they would ensure that all goods were safe and free of contrabands.
FRCS will also ensure that goods that are brought in duty free are not sold.
To date there are 59 NDMO Certified Partners in Fiji and abroad who have submitted their distribution plans to the NDMO for better coordination and distribution of assistance to the North and Eastern Division.