Courier companies ask for equal airport treatment
Courier companies ask for equal airport treatment
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Association of Courier Companies
(Asperindo) complained yesterday about the unequal airport
treatment received by its members, compared to the treatment
enjoyed by the state-owned postal service Perum Pos dan Giro.
The association's chairman, Rudy J. Pesik, told reporters here
that private courier companies, for example, have to store their
cargoes, while storage is frequently unnecessary.
"The storage requirement has encouraged us to bribe officers
to expedite our delivery service," he said.
Meanwhile, Perum Pos dan Giro is given the first priority in
the delivery of their perishable goods.
Rudy was speaking to reporters during a press conference in
connection with the association's plan to hold its third national
congress on Sept. 13 and 14. The congress, which will take place
at Grand Metro Equatorial Hotel in Central Jakarta, is scheduled
to be opened by Minister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications
Joop Ave.
Rudy, who is also the president of PT Birotika Semesta (DHL),
said that the private courier companies also face different
treatment by customs offices.
He said that every kilogram of imported books delivered
through the companies is subject to a charge of US$3, while books
delivered through Perum Pos and Giro is free of charge.
"We have already appealed to the Director General of Customs
and Excise to consider this matter but there has been no answer
thus far," he said.
Rudy also said yesterday that the government still gives
unclear definition on the list of services that could be done by
private courier companies.
He said courier firms are allowed to deliver printed
materials, newspapers, cash valued at less Rp 250,000 (US$116)
and packages of less than 20 kilograms each. The Postal Law bans
air express companies from delivering letters and commercial
papers, which may offer opportunities to courier companies.
He said that the association is still questioning the
definition used by the government to differentiate between
letters and commercial papers.
According to Rudy, around 1,500 private courier companies
currently operate in the country but only 400 of them hold
licenses. The majority of the firms are small in size and operate
locally.
Rudy said that the 400 companies, employing around 25,000
people nationwide, last year contributed Rp 40 billion in income
tax to the government. (05)