Imported wheat held at Surabaya port

SURABAYA: At least 108 tons of wheat imported by an animal husbandry firm in East Java are being held at Tanjung Perak Port, as the owner failed to show the necessary documents, local customs officials said on Friday.

If the owners failed to produce a goods registration certificate (SPB), the wheat would be destroyed, Surabaya customs and excise head Heryanto Budi Santoso said.

He said the wheat, shipped in 54 containers, arrived at the port on Thursday.

"Because there is no SPB from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, we cannot issue a goods release order (SPPB) and the wheat remains stranded at the port under the supervision of the customs and excise office," Heryanto said.

He declined to identify the owner of the imported goods, and merely confirmed that it was owned by an animal husbandry.

The port of origin of the wheat was unclear.

In September, the same customs office also held 4,330 tons, or 197 containers, of wheat imported from India, China and Australia at Tanjung Perak Port for the same reason. The owner of the wheat, a local snack company, was unable to produce the SPB. -- JP