Post audit for exports and imports launched on April 1
Post audit for exports and imports launched on April 1
JAKARTA (JP): The customs and excise law will come into force
on April 1 with the implementation of post-auditing for both
imports and exports, Director General of Customs and Excise
Soehardjo Soebardi said yesterday.
"Post-auditing is mandated by law and, therefore, we have to
do it," Soehardjo told reporters at his office here.
He said that his office is ready to carry out post-auditing of
imports and exports as it has basically done it since 1994,
especially for sea cargo worth less than US$5,000, and since July
last year for air cargo.
Many parties, especially importers, have expressed their
doubts over the readiness of customs officials to perform their
new duties in accordance with the law, in good faith, and in the
interests of the country.
The Indonesian Importers Association, for instance, has been
lobbying the government to maintain pre-shipment inspection for
Indonesia's imports.
"Looking at the current condition, I think the Directorate
General of Customs and Excise is not yet ready to carry out on-
arrival inspections for Indonesia's imports," the association's
chairman, Amirudin Saud, said earlier this week.
The current customs rules require pre-shipment inspection of
imports, which are carried out by government-contracted surveying
companies.
The government has assigned state-owned PT Surveyor Indonesia,
under a biannual contract, to inspect Indonesia's imports at
points of loading.
Soehardjo said recently that his office will be restructured
to adjust to the law. The restructuring will not only affect the
organization of the directorate general but also its daily
activities.
The activities of the customs and excise office will be
directed more toward facilitating the country's international
trade, rather than acting merely as a fund-raiser for the state,
he said.
To implement the law, Soehardjo said yesterday, the government
has prepared dozens of rulings, including 15 government
regulations and 49 decrees of the finance minister.
Of the 15 government regulations, nine will concern customs,
and the remaining six will be related to excise -- including a
regulation on the increase of excise rates for cigarettes.
For the first stage, Soehardjo said, the government will issue
six government regulations, which will very likely be announced
on Monday. (rid)