Customs Thwart Pangolin Scale Export Worth Rp183 Billion

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Directorate General of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance conducted action against 3,053 kg of pangolin scales at Tanjung Priok Port. The protected animal product was reportedly destined for export to Cambodia. The head of the A-Type Cukai and Customs Office at Tanjung Priok, Adhang Noegroho Adhi, stated that the sale value of pangolin scales is estimated at around Rp60 million per kilogram, making the total value of the illegal goods about Rp183 billion. “For the 3,053 kg of pangolin scales, the sale value is roughly Rp60 million per kg, so the total value is about Rp183 billion,” Adhang said in a press conference at the Customs Office of Tanjung Priok Port, on Wednesday (4/3/2026). Adhang explained that the exporters used a modus operandi by listing other commodities in the Export Declaration (PEB). In the documents, the company initials PT TSL reported cargo as sea cucumbers and instant noodles. However, image analysis showed three compartments in the container, raising staff suspicion. “From the image results and our analysis, after information gathering and cross-examination notes were issued due to indications that the goods were not properly reported. It is suspected to be a form of enforcing export prohibitions and/or restrictions,” he added. In inspections, officers found 99 cartons of pangolin scales in a dry condition of varying sizes and weighing a total of 3,053 kg. In addition, 51 sacks of sea cucumbers weighing 1,530 kg were found, 300 cartons of instant noodles weighing 1,200 kg, and one box containing items resembling pieces of wood. Due to suspicion that the body parts of protected animals were involved, Customs coordinated with the Jakarta Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA DKI Jakarta). In inspections, officers confirmed the scales originated from pangolins or Manis javanica, a protected wild animal under the law in accordance with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Regulation No. P.106 of 2018. “From this action, coordination was carried out and action has been taken against the PT TSRI export. Not continued, after we conducted deeper investigation and examination,” he said.