SUVA, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Land Transport Authority (LTA) has engaged an overseas vehicle inspection center to carry out pre-shipment vehicle inspection in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand where cars are imported from effective October 1.

The Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Center (JEVIC) will sign off on vehicles before they are brought into the Fijian market.

According to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) on Tuesday, LTA Chief Executive Samuel Simpson confirmed that effective October 1, an expanded scope of inspection has been agreed to with the Bio Security Authority, Fiji Revenue and Customs Service and the Consumer Council of Fiji to improve on the quality of cars imported.

This inspection is to ensure that all second-hand vehicles imported from Japan, Australia and New Zealand meet the required safety, environmental and import standards of Fiji by going through a pre-shipment border inspection in the country of origin.

Simpson said any vehicle coming into Fiji without a JEVIC inspection after November 1, will not be registered unless the records show that the vehicle had left the country of import before October 1.

Used vehicle importers have been advised to receive the JEVIC inspection prior to shipment in order to ensure that the deadlines are not violated.

Vehicle traders are advised to contact LTA or liaise with JEVIC who will arrange with vehicle exporters to conduct inspections in locations in Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.

According to LTA, motor vehicle registrations have been growing significantly in Fiji over the last few years with an average growth of 9 percent from 2015 to 2016. The total number of valid vehicles in Fiji recorded in December 2016 was 110,763, and 72 percent were private vehicles, followed by 16 percent commercial vehicles and 10 percent public service vehicles.