Fiji FJ
Fiji allows tourists to fly drones, but every drone must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF) using the online OP 137 process before flying — there is no unregistered recreational tier. Keep to 200 ft AGL, stay well clear of aerodromes, and avoid sensitive sites; commercial work needs separate written CAAF authorisation.
Your plan
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1 thing to sort out before you fly
- Register your drone in Fiji
CAAF instructs all recreational operators to register their drone online via OP 137 before flying; no fee is listed for recreational registration and no weight threshold is published. Some third-party travel sites claim recreational flying under 25 kg needs no registration — this conflicts with the CAAF page, so treat registration as the safer default and register before travelling.
Open official page - Bringing your drone in
The Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (FRCS) states drone imports are restricted to holders of a CAAF licence/permit — there is no simple duty-free personal allowance specific to drones. Standard VAT (15%) plus any applicable duty is calculated on the CIF value, with a small SAD transaction fee (about FJD 7.15). Batteries: Standard international air-transport lithium battery rules are expected (carry-on only; spares under 100 Wh freely, 100-160 Wh with airline approval), but no Fiji-specific confirmation was found.
- Before each flight
Maximum altitude 200 ft (about 61 m) above ground level · Keep the drone within visual line of sight at all times unless specifically approved otherwise · Stay at least 3 km from a domestic aerodrome and 5 km from an international aerodrome
Flying
- Maximum altitude 200 ft (about 61 m) above ground level
- Keep the drone within visual line of sight at all times unless specifically approved otherwise
- Stay at least 3 km from a domestic aerodrome and 5 km from an international aerodrome
- Drones under 2 kg must stay at least 30 m from people, vehicles and buildings; 2 kg and above face stricter requirements
- Do not fly over airports, helipads, police stations, military bases, prisons, hospitals, Parliament, national parks/conservation areas, or public gatherings
- Get permission from the property or resort owner before flying over private land
- Land immediately if a manned aircraft approaches
Commercial use: Commercial operations (paid photography/filming, advertising, surveying, agriculture, etc.) need written CAAF authorisation via OP 138, supporting documents, and a Drone Pilot Licence or CAAF-approved certification. Fees start around FJD 365.63.
Registration & classes
| Registration | Yes (all drones) CAAF instructs all recreational operators to register their drone online via OP 137 before flying; no fee is listed for recreational registration and no weight threshold is published. Some third-party travel sites claim recreational flying under 25 kg needs no registration — this conflicts with the CAAF page, so treat registration as the safer default and register before travelling. |
|---|---|
| Pilot test | No None published for recreational flying. Commercial operators need a Drone Pilot Licence (DPL) or CAAF-approved certification.. No recreational knowledge test is published. Commercial DPL requirements and costs are handled case-by-case under OP 138. |
| Remote ID | Unknown No Remote ID broadcast requirement was found on the CAAF site. |
| Insurance | Unknown No public recreational insurance requirement found; likely required as a condition of commercial OP 138 authorisation but not confirmed. |
| Foreign registration accepted | No Register the drone online via CAAF's OP 137 process before arrival and carry printed proof — travellers without it have reportedly had equipment held at customs for the duration of their trip. Only one drone per person is typically expected to be brought in as a personal item. Commercial work (paid shoots, filming for a business) needs separate OP 138 authorisation arranged well in advance. |
Weight classes
| Class | Weight | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Under 2 kg | < 2 kg | Must register via OP 137. Keep at least 30 m from people, vehicles and buildings, 200 ft AGL ceiling, VLOS. |
| 2 kg and above | ≥ 2 kg | Same registration and altitude rules apply, plus stricter distance/competency requirements; commercial use above this weight commonly needs additional evidence of competency. |
Import & export
- The Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (FRCS) states drone imports are restricted to holders of a CAAF licence/permit — there is no simple duty-free personal allowance specific to drones. Standard VAT (15%) plus any applicable duty is calculated on the CIF value, with a small SAD transaction fee (about FJD 7.15).
- No separate radio/type-approval certification scheme for drones was confirmed; CAAF's OP 137 registration is the main formality identified.
- Batteries: Standard international air-transport lithium battery rules are expected (carry-on only; spares under 100 Wh freely, 100-160 Wh with airline approval), but no Fiji-specific confirmation was found.
- FRCS names CAAF licensing/permitting as the control point for drone imports rather than a flat prohibition or a simple personal allowance — register with CAAF (OP 137) before travelling and carry proof of registration to avoid the equipment being held at customs.
- Exact duty rate (HS code) for drones was not confirmed; VAT is a standard 15% on the customs value.
Export
- No drone-specific export controls were found; ordinary consumer/prosumer drones are not expected to be restricted on departure.
Costs
| Operator registration | Unknown Validity: Not stated on the CAAF site |
|---|---|
| None published for recreational flying. Commercial operators need a Drone Pilot Licence (DPL) or CAAF-approved certification. | Not needed |
| Import taxes | ? % duty + 15 % VAT Usually only for drones you buy abroad and bring in to keep. |
Guides
Flying a drone in Fiji as a tourist Visitors
- Register with CAAF before you travel
Complete the online OP 137 registration and print confirmation to show at customs. Open
- Check aerodrome distances
Stay at least 3 km from domestic aerodromes and 5 km from international ones.
- Keep to 200 ft and VLOS
Maximum 200 ft (61 m) AGL, drone always within your sight.
- Avoid sensitive and crowded sites
No flying over airports, military/police sites, hospitals, Parliament, national parks, or public gatherings.
- Ask before flying over private land or resorts
Get permission from the property owner or resort management first.
Sources
- Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji — Drones · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji — Intro to regulations for RPAS · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- Fiji Revenue & Customs Service — Boats and Aircraft · accessed 24 Sept 2026
How the score is built
- Operator registration−10
- Remote ID−3
- Mandatory insurance−2
- Night flight unknown−3
- Low ceiling (61 m)−5
- Visitors must register locally−10
- Import restricted−25
- Duty + VAT ≈ 20 %−12
- Radio / type certification−4
Every score starts at 100 and loses points for each requirement. How scoring works