Fiji Trip Toolkit ← All Money tools
Home › Money › FJD Budget with VAT
Money & Currency

FJD budget with VAT — what you'll actually pay

Convert any menu, tour or spa price into the landed FJD amount: 9% FRCS VAT, 10–15% resort service charge, and the 10–25% F&B surcharge that the front desk rarely mentions.

5 inputs VAT 9% Resort surcharge
1

What's the sticker price?

2

Total payable

Landed total (FJD)
—
—
Effective markup
—
over the converted subtotal
Tax + service share
—
of what you'll actually pay
Breakdown
Exchange rates are indicative mid-market values from Fiji Revenue & Customs Service public notice 2025. Today's bank rate may differ by 1–3%.
3

How to read the breakdown

Fiji's standard rate of VAT — officially the Value Added Tax under the Value Added Tax Decree 2024, administered by the Fiji Revenue & Customs Service (FRCS) — is 9%. It applies to most goods and services sold in Fiji: restaurant meals, tours, spa treatments, alcoholic drinks, and resort incidentals. Some categories are zero-rated (export of goods, international air tickets departing to overseas) and a smaller list is exempt (financial services, basic staple foods, residential rent). When you see a menu price marked "++" in a Fiji resort, that means "add taxes and service".

The resort service charge is contractual, not a tip. In Fiji, 10% is common at mid-range properties; 15% is the upper band at Denarau and Coral Coast premium resorts. It is not always paid to staff in full — some contracts treat it as gross margin, despite the front-desk line about "going to the team". A small number of smaller locally-owned guesthouses charge 0% and rely on voluntary tipping; that's normal and lawful.

The resort surcharge on F&B is the line item that catches visitors by surprise: many Denarau, Mamanuca and Coral Coast resorts add a further 10–25% surcharge on food and beverages bought by non-staying guests, even at the resort's own restaurants. It subsidises the all-inclusive model. Some packages waive it; some apply it onto convenience. Always ask before you sit down — especially for the wine list.

Finally, a health note on the FX rate: the FJD is not pegged to any single currency. It floats daily against the AUD and NZD within a relatively tight band (FRCS publishes a daily reference rate). Don't lock in a budget on a USD figure quoted three months ago — convert at the day's rate and you'll be within 1–2% of what the credit card statement will show after issuer FX.

4

Limits

5

FAQ

Is 9% VAT the only tax I'll pay?

No. On top of 9% VAT you'll typically see a 10–15% resort service charge and possibly a 10–25% resort surcharge on F&B. Alcohol is taxed under the FRCS excise schedule on top of VAT. Some islands (e.g. Malolo, Tokoriki) also charge a small port or environmental fee for day-trippers.

Why is the resort surcharge on food and drinks so high?

It subsidises the all-inclusive day-pass model. If a non-staying guest buys one cocktail they're using the same kitchen and bar staff that an all-inclusive guest has already paid for. The surcharge levels the playing field a little. Day-pass bundles are usually better value than à la carte if you're outside the resort.

Can I refuse the service charge?

It's a contractual line on the bill — sometimes negotiable if you booked direct, rarely negotiable if you booked via an OTA. You can always ask for it removed at check-out, and at smaller locally-owned properties it simply isn't applied at all.

Is FJD stronger than AUD or NZD?

The FJD has been roughly stable against the AUD and NZD for most of the past decade, sitting around 1.45 FJD per 1 AUD and 1.20 FJD per 1 NZD. Against the USD it's around 2.30 FJD per USD. Daily moves are usually under 1%; quarterly moves are usually under 3%.

What's the cheapest legal way to pay?

Generally a no-foreign-transaction-fee Visa/Mastercard, charged in FJD, with decline on dynamic-currency-conversion at the terminal. ATM cash withdrawal is second-best. See the ATM vs Cash vs Card tool on this site for the per-FJD breakdown.

Sources used