Customs Uncovers 'Misdeclaration' Modus in Harley-Davidson Smuggling
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Tanjung Priok Customs has successfully thwarted the illegal import of five used, completely knocked down (CKD) Harley-Davidson motorcycles and 20 used frames at Tanjung Priok Port during the 2025-2026 period.
Adhang Noegroho Adhi, Head of the Tanjung Priok Type A Customs and Excise Supervision Office, stated that the enforcement action was taken after officers detected anomalies in container scanner results for containers originating from China that were incorrectly declared (misdeclaration) in customs documents.
The case unfolded when officers analysed X-ray scanning images of two import containers from China at a Temporary Storage Facility (TPS) at Tanjung Priok Port. The intelligence analysis and scanning results revealed visual anomalies, prompting an in-depth physical inspection.
During the physical examination, officers discovered five used Harley-Davidson motorcycles in a completely knocked down (CKD) condition. The importation of these used motor vehicles violates Article 2 of the Minister of Trade Regulation Number 24 of 2025 concerning Import Policy and Regulation for Non-New Goods and Non-Hazardous and Toxic Waste (Non-B3), which explicitly prohibits the import of used motor vehicles into Indonesian territory.
In addition to uncovering the disassembled motorcycles, Tanjung Priok Customs also dismantled an attempt to ship 20 used Harley-Davidson motorcycle frames in 2026.
According to Adhang, the modus operandi used was misdeclaration, where the goods declared in the import notification documents did not match the actual contents of the containers.
He affirmed that the success of this enforcement was achieved thanks to the optimisation of advanced technology-based container scanners integrated at the Tanjung Priok Port TPS.
“The utilisation of modern scanning technology supported by sharp intelligence analysis and selective physical examinations is key for Customs in preventing smuggling. This enforcement action is a tangible commitment by Tanjung Priok Customs to protect the public and safeguard the sustainability of domestic industry from the entry of illegal imported goods,” Adhang stated.
Tanjung Priok Customs confirmed it will continue to tighten supervision at the main gateway for international trade and take firm action against any form of violation of customs provisions and import trade regulations to ensure legal compliance and a fair business climate in Indonesia.