Customs Uncovers New Modus Operandi for Distributing Illegal Cigarettes, Shipped via Courier Services

TANGERANG - The Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) has recorded a shift in the distribution patterns of illegal cigarettes, which now frequently exploit courier services as a shipping route.

Head of the Banten Regional Customs and Excise Office, Ambang Priyonggo, stated that this finding is based on enforcement actions up to 15 April 2026.

“I would like to convey that the largest enforcement actions currently are actually in the courier services sector,” Ambang said when met at the ICE BSD City field, Tangerang Regency, on Tuesday (21/4/2026).

Therefore, Customs and Excise is beginning to tighten supervision over that distribution route, including partnering with courier companies to prevent the shipment of illegal goods.

“We anticipate that, so we invited courier service companies to witness this event and continue to collaborate with us to prevent and detect it early,” he said.

In addition to enforcement, Customs and Excise will also conduct market operations while carrying out public education.

“We carry out market operations, but also a soft approach through education. What we promote is public awareness to consume legal goods,” he explained.

He added that the Banten region has become one of the distribution routes for illegal cigarettes, not only for local consumption but also for shipments to other areas, especially Sumatra.

Meanwhile, Banten Customs and Excise has destroyed taxable goods seized from enforcement actions, including more than 26 million illegal cigarettes.

This step is taken as an effort to suppress the circulation of illegal goods while safeguarding state revenues.