Customs plans new import, export charges
Customs plans new import, export charges
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The Directorate General of Customs and Excise plans to impose
non-tax fees on import and export clearance and inspections
starting next month in a bid to raise funds to improve services.
Businessmen have immediately criticized the plan, however,
saying the fees would only be a new burden, and doubted that
customs services would improve.
According to an official customs report obtained by The
Jakarta Post over the weekend, the new fees will range between Rp
30,000 (US$3.50) to Rp 450,000 per service.
Import and export clearance procedures are currently free of
administrative charges, but businessmen said many customs
officials illegally collected fees or received bribes for speedy
clearance.
The report said the fees would come into effect this month;
however, a source at the customs office said the plan would be
delayed until next month.
The customs office spokesman could not be reached for comment.
Ministry of Finance spokesman Maurin Sitorus confirmed the
plan with the Post, saying that the ministry was in the midst of
drafting a ministerial decree on the service fees.
"...The fees are clearly to be used to finance activities of
the customs office that are not covered by the state budget," he
said.
He explained that the fees would be incorporated into the
state budget under non-tax revenues, and the customs office could
request a maximum 80 percent of the revenue.
The customs office, known as one of the most corrupt
government institutions, falls under the Ministry of Finance.
In its report, the customs office said revenue from the fees
would be used to improve services and upgrade facilities.
The source at the customs office said part of the revenue
would be used to better the welfare of customs officials in order
to curb corruption at the office.
Government officials often point to low salaries as the main
reason behind the rampant corruption in the country. A higher
salary, they said, would reduce the temptation of corrupt
dealings.
The source also said the Indonesian National Shipowners
Association (INSA) and several textile and garment companies had
rejected the plan, as the fees would only be an added burden.
Meanwhile, National Economic Recovery Committee (KPEN)
chairman Sofjan Wanandi said while businessmen understood the
lack of operating funds at the customs office, they had no
guarantee that the fees would improve services.
"I fear that this will only end up as another high
expenditure. What will happen if businessmen pay for the
services, but receive no improvement and corrupt practices
continue? Can the government guarantee this won't happen?" he
said.
Eyebox
New charges for customs services
No. Services Fees (in thousand rupiah)
1. EDI import 100/notice
2. Non-EDI import 50/notice
3. EDI export 60/notice
4. Non-EDI export 30/notice
5. EDI excise 60/notice
6. Excise service via non-EDI 30/notice
7. EDI export/import in bonded zone 60/notice
8. Non-EDI export/import in bonded zone 30/notice
9. EDI ship's manifest