Rules for Bringing Alcoholic Beverages from Abroad: The Maximum Limit According to Customs

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The case of a passenger bringing ethyl alcohol-containing beverages (MMEA) exceeding the limit has once again drawn public attention. Customs officers at Teluk Bayur discovered a passenger on an international flight carrying 3 bottles of ethyl alcohol-containing beverages from abroad in early March 2026. However, this amount exceeded the applicable provisions, which is a maximum of 1 litre per person. Head of the Customs Public Relations and Outreach Subdirectorate, Budi Prasetiyo, emphasised that these rules were not made without reason. These provisions are regulated in Minister of Finance Regulation (PMK) Number 203 of 2017, which has been updated through PMK Number 34 of 2025. In these rules, the government sets the excise exemption limit for alcoholic beverages at 1 litre per adult aged at least 21 years. Meanwhile, for transport crew such as aircraft or ship crew, the exemption limit is much smaller, namely a maximum of 350 millilitres. “This limitation is not to make things difficult, but to ensure that goods entering remain within reasonable personal consumption limits,” said Budi. In addition to alcoholic beverages, Customs also regulates the importation of other taxable goods (BKC), such as tobacco products. Adult passengers are allowed to bring up to 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 100 grams of cut tobacco. For electronic cigarettes, limits have also been set, both in solid and liquid forms. For transport crew, the permitted amount is smaller, such as 40 cigarettes or 10 cigars. If a passenger brings more than one type of tobacco product, the excise exemption is given proportionally according to the applicable provisions. Budi emphasised that excess goods beyond the permitted limit cannot be resolved by paying import duties or other levies. “The excess will be immediately destroyed by Customs officers,” he asserted. Therefore, the public is advised to understand the rules on bringing goods before travelling abroad. Information related to these provisions can be accessed through the official Customs website or regulations issued by the Ministry of Finance. By understanding these rules, it is hoped that passengers can avoid obstacles upon arrival in Indonesia, while supporting the supervision of taxable goods to remain orderly and in accordance with the provisions.