All countries
ES Oceania
🇫🇯

Fiji

The laws most likely to catch a visitor off guard. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.

Get alerted when this changesLawLert pings you if Fiji's laws change. Free.Get the free app

Drugs

PROHIBITED

You can go to jail in Fiji for possession of any quantity of illegal drugs.

Jail for possession of any quantity.

§ Australian DFAT Smartraveller — Fiji

Cannabis

PROHIBITED

Cannabis is illegal in Fiji, and possessing any amount is a criminal offence — including for tourists. Fiji's Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004 lists cannabis (plant, resin, fruit, seed and oil) as an illicit drug, and unlawful possession carries a statutory maximum of a fine of up to FJ$1,000,000, life imprisonment, or both; the Act itself has no lighter tier for small amounts. Courts sentence small cannabis cases far below that maximum, but people are still arrested and convicted over a few grams. The Act has no recreational or medical cannabis scheme — its only exemption covers lawfully prescribed medication, up to a one-month supply, for people under medical treatment.

Unlawful possession, cultivation, supply or use of an illicit drug: fine not exceeding FJ$1,000,000 or imprisonment for life, or both (Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004, s.5). Same maximum for unlawful import or export (s.4); attempts carry up to FJ$500,000 or 14 years (s.9). The Act sets no reduced penalty for small amounts. Sentencing bands come from case law, not the Act — Supreme Court cannabis tariff (Kaitani v State [2024] FJSC 50): up to 1 kg normally non-custodial; 1–5 kg: 1–4 years; 5–10 kg: 4–8 years; 150 kg and above: life imprisonment. The UK FCDO separately warns that possession of any amount of marijuana carries a 3-month prison sentence.

§ Fiji Ministry of Health & Medical Services — Illicit Drugs Control Act 2004 (Act No. 9 of 2004), s.5 and Schedule 1

Customs & Cash

RESTRICTED

Currency over FJD 10,000 (or the US-dollar equivalent) must be declared when entering or leaving Fiji.

§ US State Dept — Fiji

Imports & Customs

RESTRICTED

Strict customs and biosecurity rules apply to importing food, plant material, animals and agricultural products into Fiji — declare all such items on arrival.

§ Australian DFAT Smartraveller — Fiji

Driving

PROHIBITED

Driving while intoxicated is illegal in Fiji, using a mobile phone while driving is illegal, and traffic moves on the left.

§ US State Dept — Fiji

LGBTQ+ Safety

GOOD TO KNOW

Same-sex relationships are legal in Fiji, but some locals hold conservative attitudes and open displays of affection could cause offence, particularly in rural areas.

§ Australian DFAT Smartraveller — Fiji

Public Conduct

GOOD TO KNOW

Outside tourist areas Fiji's dress code is conservative — dress respectfully in village areas — and you can be arrested for being drunk and disorderly, including at the airport or on a plane.

Arrest for drunk and disorderly conduct; fines and detention for property damage or assault.

§ Australian DFAT Smartraveller — Fiji
LawLert is an independent app and is not affiliated with any government. It summarizes laws from official government and U.S. State Department sources for general information only. This is not legal advice, and laws change. Always confirm with official sources and local authorities before you travel.