Purbaya Overhauls Duty-Free Weapons Import Rules, Pigeons Included

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has overhauled the provisions for duty-free imports of weaponry, ammunition, spare parts, and military and police equipment. The new rules are set out in Minister of Finance Regulation (PMK) Number 45 of 2026, which amends PMK 191/2016 and was officially enacted on 6 July 2026.

Article 2 of PMK 45/2026 retains the same criteria for imported defence goods as the previous regulation. These include weaponry, ammunition, military and police equipment, spare parts, and goods intended for state defence and security purposes. The regulation also covers goods and materials used to produce items for state defence and security needs.

However, additional provisions now specify the entry points eligible for duty-free importation of weaponry, particularly goods originating from outside the customs area or from bonded logistics centres. Duty exemptions can also be granted for goods released from bonded warehouses, bonded zones, bonded exhibition sites, bonded auction sites, special economic zones, free trade zones, and for the settlement of temporarily imported goods donated to the central government.

Regarding the users of these goods, the list of agencies eligible for duty-free weapon imports has been expanded. Previously limited to the Presidential Institution, Ministry of Defence, Indonesian National Armed Forces Headquarters, Indonesian National Police Headquarters, State Intelligence Agency, National Cyber and Crypto Agency, National Narcotics Agency, and National Counterterrorism Agency, the regulation now includes the Maritime Security Agency. The exemption also applies to goods used in military activities as part of military cooperation or joint military exercises.

Furthermore, imported goods and materials used to produce state defence equipment may also be granted duty exemption when used by certain industries to manufacture goods for defence and security purposes by relevant ministries, agencies, or bodies. The regulation also stipulates prohibitions or restrictions on defence and security goods receiving duty exemptions in accordance with prevailing laws and regulations at the time of importation or release.

The appendix to PMK 45/2026 details the imported goods eligible for duty exemption and specifies their intended use. For example, special duty vehicles for the presidency include helicopters, aircraft, presidential cars, and presidential escort vehicles. The list also includes items for the Ministry of Defence and the Indonesian National Armed Forces, such as special or combat vehicles, ammunition, and even animals like dogs, horses, and pigeons.