The Land Transport Authority and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service are urging importers of used goods vehicles like Hiace and Vannette to obtain clearance from Fiji Revenue and Customs Service before modifying them into passenger vehicles and registering them with Land Transport Authority. 

This directive is to address concerns over the practice of adding seats to goods vehicles after customs clearance, which bypasses regulations for passenger vehicles. 

The issue stems from the difference in duty rates and import permit restrictions between passenger and goods vehicles, with goods vehicles having lower standards. 

This practice undermines regulations, poses safety risks and evades taxes. 

LTA stressed the importance of following regulations to ensure safety standards are met and vows to uphold transportation regulations to protect public safety.