Importers' union defends pre-shipment inspection<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The pre-shipment inspection system currently
\napplied to Indonesian imports will remain supportive of free
\ntrade in the region, the Indonesian Importers Association said.<\/p>\n
The association's chairman, Amirudin Saud, said yesterday that
\nthe pre-shipment inspection system will not hinder the
\nharmonization of customs procedures among members of the
\nAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).<\/p>\n
\"This is because the pre-shipment inspection takes place in
\nthe supplying countries before the goods are shipped to
\nIndonesia... Whatever happens to the goods overseas can have no
\nimpact on local procedures,\" Amirudin said.<\/p>\n
He made the remarks, responding to Director General of Customs
\nand Excise Soehardjo Soebardi's recent statement that the pre-
\nshipment inspection system would hinder the harmonization of
\ncustoms procedures in ASEAN.<\/p>\n
Soehardjo suggested that the system should be replaced with an
\non-arrival inspection to facilitate the implementation of the
\nASEAN Free Trade Area arrangements by the year 2003.<\/p>\n
The pre-shipment inspection was launched in mid-1985 under a
\npresidential decree designed to improve the clearance of imports
\nat customs areas.<\/p>\n
Amirudin contended yesterday that the pre-shipment inspection
\nhelps simplify the works of customs offices because the goods
\ninspected overseas are accompanied by reports which already
\nindicate the nature of the goods, especially their number and
\nvalue.<\/p>\n
\"This additional information is of great assistance to the
\nlocal customs services because it enables sealed containers to be
\nreleased without further inspection.<\/p>\n
\"These inputs make the pre-shipment inspection complementary
\nwith customs procedures and will not disturb in any way
\nprocedures to be agreed among ASEAN countries,\" Amirudin said.<\/p>\n
The possibility that the pre-shipment inspection might hinder
\nthe harmonization of ASEAN customs procedures was first raised at
\na meeting of ASEAN customs officers in Jakarta in February last
\nyear.<\/p>\n
It was, however, rejected by the Philippine delegation who
\nsaid that there would be no such hindrance, Amirudin said.<\/p>\n
The Philippines, like Indonesia, also enforces pre-shipment
\ninspections for its imports. It has renewed a contract with the
\nGeneva-based Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) to carry out
\nthe inspection of its imports at points of loading until 1998.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has also extended a contract with state-owned PT
\nSurveyor Indonesia to carry out inspections of imports until
\n1997. The company, in turn, continues to assign SGS as its sub-
\ncontractor for the import inspections. (rid)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/importers-union-defends-pre-shipment-inspection-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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