Analyst: Lululemon Bag Theft Case at Soekarno-Hatta Airport Could Damage Indonesia's Export-Import Credibility
Aviation analyst Alvin Lie believes that the case of Lululemon bag thefts in the cargo area of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport has the potential to damage international trust in Indonesia’s export system.
According to Alvin, the theft case, which is suspected to have occurred repeatedly since 2024, not only harms exporting companies but can also impact the image of Indonesia’s export-import supervision in the eyes of the world.
“The impact is damaging international trust in the supervision and security system of Indonesia’s import-export gateway,” said Alvin to Kompas.com via WhatsApp message, Friday (15/5/2026).
He said that the international cargo terminal is a customs area under strict supervision by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC).
“The cargo terminal at international airports, both for import and export purposes, is designated as a Customs Area under strict supervision by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC),” he said.
According to Alvin, if theft can still occur in that area, it shows weaknesses in the supervision and security system of the cargo area.
“If theft of export or import goods occurs in the customs area, this indicates weaknesses in the implementation of the DJBC supervision system and RA security,” said Alvin.
He believes that the theft case in the airport cargo terminal has the potential to increase insurance premiums for Indonesian export-import shipments.
“It could result in an increase in Indonesian import-export insurance premiums,” said Alvin.
Not only that, Indonesian exporters are also at risk of facing claims from buyers abroad due to goods lost during shipment.
“Indonesian exporters are also at risk of facing claims from their buyers abroad,” he said.
In addition, Alvin also highlighted the possibility of internal involvement because the theft is said to have occurred repeatedly.
“The fact that this theft has occurred repeatedly suggests the involvement of cooperation with expedition personnel, RA and/or DJBC,” he said.