Bogor Customs Intensifies Crackdown, Seizes Over 6 Million Illegal Cigarettes

The Bogor Customs and Excise Office has intensified its supervisory operations against the circulation of illegal cigarettes as part of its commitment to protecting state revenue from the excise sector. The initiative aims to suppress the distribution of excisable goods that fail to meet legal requirements while boosting compliance with excise regulations.

Supervision was carried out through operations at various points prone to being distribution channels for illegal cigarettes, including stalls, shops, agents, markets, and courier companies within the Bogor Customs working area. During the period from May to June 2026, Bogor Customs conducted 83 enforcement actions, resulting in the seizure of 6,086,713 illicit cigarettes. The estimated value of the seized goods reached Rp 9,038,768,805, with potential state revenue from the excise sector successfully safeguarded amounting to Rp 4,540,687,898.

Head of the Bogor Customs Office, Chotibul Umam, stated that this success was the outcome of continuous supervision conducted through inter-unit synergy and mapping of illegal cigarette distribution routes. He noted that the effort is part of Customs’ strategy to secure state revenue while fostering fair business competition for tobacco industry players who have fulfilled their excise obligations.

Chotibul further urged the public to play an active role in eradicating the circulation of illegal cigarettes. He called on the community to refrain from buying, selling, or consuming illegal cigarettes and to immediately report any indications of illicit cigarette distribution to Bogor Customs for prompt follow-up. He also advised the public to be more discerning in recognising the characteristics of illegal cigarettes, which include the absence of excise stamps, the use of counterfeit excise stamps, the use of used excise stamps, the use of incorrectly personalised excise stamps, and the use of excise stamps not in accordance with their designation. Through consistent supervision and public support, Bogor Customs is optimistic that the circulation of illegal cigarettes can be continuously reduced, thereby maintaining state revenue, increasing excise compliance, and protecting the public from the circulation of illegal goods.