Major changes have been announced in customs tariffs which come into effect from midnight.

The import and excise duty on all imported alcohol, tobacco and cigarettes has increased by 10%.

Import duty on luxury items has increased from 0% to 32% after deliberations.

These luxury items include perfume, cosmetics, pre-shave, shaving or after-shave preparations, cameras and camcorders, sunglass, binoculars, video and electronic games, watches, iPods, MP3 and MP4 players and jewellery.

The government has introduced a new import duty of 32% for printing and photocopying papers – that is A3, A4 and A5. This is done to support the local industry.

There is no import duty on LED lights – to reduce energy consumption.

A specific rate of one dollar or 32% whichever is greater will be applied on exercise books.

Fiscal duty on imported unrecorded/blank optical CD will increase from $2 to $5.

Fiji residents returning home will now be allowed to bring only one vehicle per family. Normal duty will be imposed on importation of additional vehicles.

A new duty concession will now apply to companies or entities involved in the importation of semi-finished products.

These are products imported in bulk for packaging and other goods for assembly and packaging materials on the condition that it is for bond and 100% exported.

The government has also impose excise duty on sweetened drinks at a rate of 5 cents per litre.