Revealed! The Culprit Behind 10,000 Containers Piling Up at Tanjung Priok

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Approximately 10,000 containers have been reported piling up at Tanjung Priok port in North Jakarta. Director General of Customs and Excise Djaka Budhi Utama has revealed the cause of the problem. He explained that the issue is not due to customs administration processes. Instead, the container backlog is occurring because importing companies are leaving their goods at the port for extended periods. These companies have already completed their administrative procedures at the port. “When containers have been cleared for release, a backlog still occurs because the parties involved do not promptly remove them,” Djaka said during a working meeting with Commission XI of the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Monday (15/6/2026). The companies are taking advantage of port facilities by not immediately moving their imported goods out of the port for three days. Some have even left them for more than two weeks. “For example, BYD-Wuling is still utilising the facility provided by the port for three days after the Goods Release Approval Letter (SPPB) is issued, and even for more than two weeks the goods are not removed. Yesterday, there were nearly 10,000 containers at the port,” he stressed. To resolve this, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) has enforced measures to ensure goods are not left to pile up for long periods, as this disrupts dwelling time. Djaka explained that companies store their goods at the port because it is cheaper than placing them outside the port. Going forward, Customs will also encourage companies to place their shipped goods outside the port. “Due to difficulties finding space outside, and considering the lower cost compared to outside storage, they take advantage of this. We will likely soon push them to the second line, to locations outside the port,” he stated.