Customs and Tax Authorities Seal Four Yachts at Marina Beach

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Directorate General of Customs (DJBC) and the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) of the Ministry of Finance have sealed four foreign-flagged yachts moored at Marina Beach in North Jakarta, as they are suspected of violating regulations on import duty and tax exemption facilities in Indonesia.

Head of Section II Enforcement of the Jakarta Regional Customs Office, Siswo Kristyanto, stated that the sealing was carried out during an inspection with the North Jakarta Tax Office to monitor the importation of foreign tourist vessels in North Jakarta.

“Preliminary examination results show that out of the six vessels we inspected, four were sealed,” said Siswo in his statement in Jakarta on Friday.

Siswo explained that the vessels are foreign tourist ships that received temporary import facilities, in the form of exemptions from import duties and taxes. According to him, the vessels are intended for recreational activities by tourists in Indonesian waters.

“To date, there is suspicion that the facilities have been misused, such as the vessels being rented out or sold to Indonesian citizens, thereby avoiding import duty and tax collections,” he said.

Siswo then detailed that the four sealed foreign tourist vessels consist of two from Malaysia and two from Singapore. Meanwhile, Siswo said that the two unsealed vessels had their administration checked and were found to have proper customs documentation.

“We emphasise that collaboration with our tax colleagues aims to explore and increase state revenue potential,” said Siswo.

Currently, he continued, his side together with the Directorate General of Taxes is investigating the amount of state losses caused by the alleged violations of import duty and tax regulations on these foreign tourist vessels. However, he estimated that one small-sized yacht is worth around Rp10 billion.

“We urge business actors to comply with regulations in both customs and taxation fields. We will continue to monitor foreign tourist vessels that we suspect and find to be in violation,” he said.

Meanwhile, Head of Intelligence Section of the North Jakarta Tax Office Regional Office, Pujiyadi, emphasised that his side will continue collaboration to the maximum extent so that the presence of luxury vessels or yachts benefits state revenue.

“I hope that the ownership and utilisation of these yachts comply with applicable tax and customs laws and regulations in Indonesia,” said Pujiyadi.

Previously, Jakarta Customs also inspected 82 private cruise ships or yachts currently in the waters and moored at Batavia Marina dock two weeks ago.

Head of the Jakarta Regional Customs Office, Hendri Darnadi, emphasised that the inspection is part of efforts to optimise state revenue from the circulation of luxury goods, eradicate the underground economy, and enforce fiscal equity for citizens.

“The lower class, SMEs, even those buying motorbikes for their work, such as online ojek drivers, still pay duties and taxes, fulfilling their obligations on the motorbikes they buy. How can those buying high-value goods and luxury items not pay according to their obligations,” said Hendri.