Fiji must buy expensive X-ray equipment

Submitted by TemoL on Wed, 08/09/2010 - 3:30pm

The Fiji Islands Revenue Customs Authority says it will need to spend about five million US dollars to upgrade equipment to continue trade with the United States.

The Authority’s national manager border control, Watisoni Raucava said this has to be done by 2012 as part of the compulsory x-ray monitoring of US bound cargo.

Mr Raucava said it’s also a requirement of the World Customs Organisation.

He says non-compliant countries will lose out on the US market which is a major partner for Fiji’s economy.

Mr Raucava says the x-ray machine will not only boost exports through security but also enhance inbound border control.