Jakarta Customs Seals 29 Yachts Suspected of Violating Customs Regulations

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Directorate General of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance’s Jakarta Regional Office has sealed 29 yacht units suspected of violating customs and tax regulations.

The sealing was carried out when officers from the Jakarta Customs Regional Office conducted a high-value goods (HVG) patrol and inspected 112 yacht units, comprising 57 foreign-flagged vessels and 55 foreign-flagged vessels.

“Meanwhile, officers sealed 29 foreign-flagged tourist yachts,” said the Head of Enforcement and Investigation Division (P2) of the Jakarta Customs Regional Office, Agus D.P., in his statement in Jakarta on Saturday.

Agus stated that field officers found suspected violations, including yachts remaining in Indonesian territory despite their vessel declaration (VD) entry permits having expired.

Furthermore, the yachts present were not solely used for tourism by their owners or VD permit holders but were rented out.

“The income obtained was, of course, not reported for income tax,” he said.

In addition, the yachts were sold to Indonesian citizens (WNI), thus failing to meet import customs obligations for use in Indonesian customs territory.

“For yachts that did not commit the above violations, no sealing was carried out,” Agus said.

Agus further emphasised that HVG patrols with other commodities continue to be conducted by the Jakarta Customs Regional Office. The aim, he said, is to ensure optimal state revenue from high-value goods.

“So far, they have not complied at all or only partially with customs obligations, so they must be regulated,” he explained.

Furthermore, Agus added that HVG patrol activities are conducted to ensure fiscal justice for all, so those capable of purchasing HVG must contribute more to state financial obligations in the form of import duties and taxes.

“In line with the President’s instructions to the Finance Minister to ensure and use the law to safeguard the nation’s wealth,” he said.

However, Agus stated that the state’s losses in figures cannot yet be disclosed to the public as they are still in the process of research or calculation between the Directorate General of Customs and Excise and the Directorate General of Taxes (DJP). He stressed that officers prioritise accuracy and caution in calculating the amount of losses due to suspected violations of customs and tax regulations.

“The state’s losses in figures have not yet been calculated by us, because this requires in-depth investigation into the modus operandi of the responsible parties and the value of the goods. The principle of prudence is needed to determine their value,” he added.

Previously, the Head of the Jakarta Customs Regional Office, Hendri Darnadi, emphasised that the inspection is part of efforts to optimise state revenue from the circulation of luxury goods, eradicate the underground economy, and enforce fiscal equity for citizens.

“The lower class, MSMEs, even those buying motorbikes for their work, such as online motorcycle taxis, still pay duties and taxes, fulfilling their obligations from the motorbikes they buy. Should those buying high-value goods and luxury goods not pay according to their obligations?” Hendri said.