Customs plans new import, export charges<\/p>\n
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Directorate General of Customs and Excise plans to impose
\nnon-tax fees on import and export clearance and inspections
\nstarting next month in a bid to raise funds to improve services.<\/p>\n
Businessmen have immediately criticized the plan, however,
\nsaying the fees would only be a new burden, and doubted that
\ncustoms services would improve.<\/p>\n
According to an official customs report obtained by The
\nJakarta Post over the weekend, the new fees will range between Rp
\n30,000 (US$3.50) to Rp 450,000 per service.<\/p>\n
Import and export clearance procedures are currently free of
\nadministrative charges, but businessmen said many customs
\nofficials illegally collected fees or received bribes for speedy
\nclearance.<\/p>\n
The report said the fees would come into effect this month;
\nhowever, a source at the customs office said the plan would be
\ndelayed until next month.<\/p>\n
The customs office spokesman could not be reached for comment.<\/p>\n
Ministry of Finance spokesman Maurin Sitorus confirmed the
\nplan with the Post, saying that the ministry was in the midst of
\ndrafting a ministerial decree on the service fees.<\/p>\n
"...The fees are clearly to be used to finance activities of
\nthe customs office that are not covered by the state budget," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He explained that the fees would be incorporated into the
\nstate budget under non-tax revenues, and the customs office could
\nrequest a maximum 80 percent of the revenue.<\/p>\n
The customs office, known as one of the most corrupt
\ngovernment institutions, falls under the Ministry of Finance.<\/p>\n
In its report, the customs office said revenue from the fees
\nwould be used to improve services and upgrade facilities.<\/p>\n
The source at the customs office said part of the revenue
\nwould be used to better the welfare of customs officials in order
\nto curb corruption at the office.<\/p>\n
Government officials often point to low salaries as the main
\nreason behind the rampant corruption in the country. A higher
\nsalary, they said, would reduce the temptation of corrupt
\ndealings.<\/p>\n
The source also said the Indonesian National Shipowners
\nAssociation (INSA) and several textile and garment companies had
\nrejected the plan, as the fees would only be an added burden.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, National Economic Recovery Committee (KPEN)
\nchairman Sofjan Wanandi said while businessmen understood the
\nlack of operating funds at the customs office, they had no
\nguarantee that the fees would improve services.<\/p>\n
"I fear that this will only end up as another high
\nexpenditure. What will happen if businessmen pay for the
\nservices, but receive no improvement and corrupt practices
\ncontinue? Can the government guarantee this won't happen?" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Eyebox<\/p>\n
New charges for customs services<\/p>\n
No. Services Fees (in thousand rupiah)<\/p>\n
1. EDI import 100\/notice
\n2. Non-EDI import 50\/notice
\n3. EDI export 60\/notice
\n4. Non-EDI export 30\/notice
\n5. EDI excise 60\/notice
\n6. Excise service via non-EDI 30\/notice
\n7. EDI export\/import in bonded zone 60\/notice
\n8. Non-EDI export\/import in bonded zone 30\/notice
\n9. EDI ship's manifest<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/customs-plans-new-import-export-charges-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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