New Restrictions Introduced on the Value of Goods Imported into Indonesia

The Indonesian customs and tax office is introducing new, stricter rules regarding new goods that travelers can bring into Indonesia from abroad.

The regulations, which came into effect on March 10, 2024, aim to limit the value of expensive imported luxury items.

The new regulation stipulates that international passengers entering Indonesia can bring a maximum of two pairs of shoes, two bags, five electronic devices totaling no more than $1,500 USD, two mobile phones, and five textile items (Minister of Trade Regulation No. 36 of 2023, Regulation No. 3/24 on import policy). This applies to new goods.

Those bringing in more than this amount should be prepared for customs tax officials to simply confiscate these items without the possibility of taking them out of the airport.

The head of airport customs reported that confiscation includes items such as bags, shoes, clothing, textiles, cosmetics, and food supplements.

During the first few days of implementing these rules at Jakarta's international terminal, officials confiscated 20 pairs of shoes, 14 designer bags from two passengers, 490 clothing items from nine passengers, and 705 cosmetic items brought by four passengers.

Additionally, during these days, customs officials seized 29 types of medicines and supplements purchased abroad exceeding the limit of $1,500 USD.

As for cosmetics, the law permits transporting no more than 20 cosmetic products per passenger.

During the inspection of items, officials offer to take away excess goods and, without entering the country, return them back or surrender these items to the state.

Passengers arriving in Indonesia are required to declare their dutiable goods in electronic customs declarations.

There is a concept of restricted goods in customs legislation.

This regulation applies to all passengers arriving from abroad, including Indonesian migrant workers returning to their hometowns. However, this does not mean that customs officers check the valuables of every passenger. Currently, airport screenings in the country are conducted selectively.

Sources: antaranews.com, tangerang.tribunnews.com