The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) and Japan Customs have formalised a new partnership aimed at strengthening customs capacity and technical cooperation.

The agreement, signed through a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between FRCS and the Customs and Tariff Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Finance, will see Japan Customs appoint a dedicated Liaison Officer for Capacity Building (LOCB) to Fiji.

The new arrangement is expected to enhance cooperation between the two customs administrations while reinforcing Japan’s ongoing support for customs modernisation efforts across the Pacific.

The memorandum also reflects the shared commitment of both agencies to improving customs capabilities in the region. It builds on Japan’s broader engagement with Pacific nations under the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) framework and supports regional efforts to align customs standards and practices.

Based in Fiji, the Liaison Officer will coordinate all technical cooperation between the two organisations, providing more direct and responsive support while ensuring capacity-building programmes are tailored to the operational needs of FRCS.

FRCS says the partnership will help strengthen staff skills, promote the adoption of international best practices and further align its customs operations with global standards.