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)