Importers complain about cargo inspection<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Importers Association is
\ncomplaining about the on-arrival customs inspection of import air
\ncargo and proposing that the government allow airfreight to be
\ninspected at points of loading.<\/p>\n
The association's chairman, Amirudin Saud, said at a seminar
\norganized by the association here yesterday that the on-arrival
\ninspection of imports by customs officials at airports had
\nresulted in additional costs to importers.<\/p>\n
\"I have been receiving complaints from importers almost every
\nday. They mostly complain about the slow handling of their goods
\nby customs officials. If they want their goods inspected quickly
\nthey have to bribe the officials,\" Amirudin said.<\/p>\n
The government, under the May deregulatory measures,
\nstipulated that imports of any value transported by air must be
\ninspected by customs officials at airports beginning July 1.<\/p>\n
The new policy slightly amends the presidential decrees issued
\nin 1985 and 1991, which required imports worth more than US$5,000
\nto be inspected by a designated surveyor company at points of
\nloading.<\/p>\n
However, imports worth more than $5,000 coming through
\nseaports continue to be inspected by state-owned PT Surveyor
\nIndonesia at points of loading.<\/p>\n
Amirudin said he had twice sent letters to nine ministers, on
\nJune 21 and August 23, asking them to allow the imports coming
\nthrough airports to be inspected at points of loading.<\/p>\n
\"I have not yet received any response from the ministers, but
\nI've heard that they will bring the issue into the deregulation
\nteam,\" Amirudin said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, I. Nyoman Moena, former president of Surveyor
\nIndonesia, confirmed that the current pre-shipment inspection
\nsystem for Indonesia's imports is a temporary measure.<\/p>\n
\"The main aim of installing the pre-shipment inspection to
\nreplace the on-arrival customs inspection is to facilitate smooth
\nimports and reduce importing costs. So, it is just an
\nextraordinary instrument only,\" Moena said at the seminar.<\/p>\n
Moena said the on-arrival customs inspection could be restored
\nonly when the customs and excise directorate general could ensure
\nsmooth import flows as happens under the current system of pre-
\nshipment inspection.<\/p>\n
The pre-shipment inspection system, launched in 1985 under a
\npresidential decree, practically strips the customs and excise
\ndirectorate general of its inspection authority.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, the government decided to maintain the
\npre-shipment inspection system by extending its contract with PT
\nSurveyor Indonesia for another two years.<\/p>\n
Moena said if the government wants to restore the customs and
\nexcise directorate general's inspection authority, it should
\nprepare at least three components at the directorate general:
\nhardware, software and human resources.<\/p>\n
\"The customs officials must have a new and clean mentality to
\nremove their previous notorious image,\" Moena said.<\/p>\n
He said the capability and readiness of customs and excise
\nofficials to carry out the pre-1985 system of on-arrival
\ninspection of imports will depend mainly on the government's
\npolitical will. (rid)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/importers-complain-about-cargo-inspection-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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