Customs' Role Behind the GIIAS 2026 Event
The Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2026 will be held from 30 July to 9 August 2026 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD City, Tangerang. The Directorate General of Customs and Excise is supporting the event through services, supervision, and the provision of various customs facilities, ensuring that imported goods required for the exhibition can be processed quickly, efficiently, and in accordance with applicable regulations. GIIAS is Indonesia’s largest annual automotive exhibition, serving as a platform for launching new vehicles, promoting automotive technology, encouraging industrial investment, and developing the electric vehicle ecosystem. Behind the smooth running of the exhibition, Customs plays a role in facilitating the flow of imported goods used for exhibition purposes. This support is realised through import easements with bonded exhibition zone facilities granted to PT Indonesia International Expo, the organiser of GIIAS 2026. Budi Prasetiyo, Head of the Public Relations and Counselling Sub-directorate at Customs, explained that through these facilities, imported goods for the exhibition receive fiscal benefits in the form of suspension of import duty and import taxes. He added that the facility also provides simplified customs procedures and legal certainty in accordance with prevailing laws and regulations, making the process of bringing in exhibition goods from abroad more efficient and supporting the smooth execution of GIIAS. In line with providing services and customs facilities, Customs also carries out its supervisory function over imported goods entering the exhibition area. Supervision is conducted from the moment goods enter the bonded zone until customs obligations are settled, including when goods are re-exported after the exhibition ends. This step ensures all processes comply with regulations without reducing the ease provided to organisers and participants. Budi stated that Customs’ support for GIIAS demonstrates the government’s commitment to creating a conducive business climate through fast, transparent, and accountable customs services. He noted that through temporary import and bonded zone facilities, Customs provides fiscal ease, simplified procedures, and legal certainty for organisers and participants, hoping this support will smooth international goods flow, encourage investment, strengthen trade, and enhance the competitiveness of the national automotive industry. Regarding the services and facilitation provided, PT Indonesia International Expo’s Bonded Warehouse Officer, Wicaksana Army Putra, said the Customs service at the bonded zone was very responsive and helped smooth the process of importing goods. He added that information on regulatory and policy changes is easily accessible and can be promptly forwarded to forwarders. According to him, every obstacle encountered is quickly resolved, so during his three years assisting with bonded zone operations on behalf of PT IIE, all processes have run smoothly and cooperation with Customs has been well established. He suggested improvements to the CEISA system, noting a recent error that affected not only them but also other users such as bonded zones and bonded warehouses. While the issue has been fixed, he hopes the system will be further enhanced for greater stability, though he praised the personal service provided by officers. Through this support in services, supervision, and customs facilities, Customs continues its commitment to supporting various international exhibitions in Indonesia, aiming to strengthen the country’s position as an investment destination, facilitate international trade, and contribute concretely to national industrial growth, including the developing automotive sector.