Several Foreign-Flag Tourist Vessels Sealed in North Jakarta by Customs

The Directorate General of Customs (DJBC) and the Directorate General of Taxation (DJP) of the Ministry of Finance have sealed several foreign-flag tourist vessels in Jakarta Bay, North Jakarta. These foreign tourist vessels are suspected of violating regulations on import duty and tax exemption facilities.

The vessels were discovered during a surveillance patrol in Jakarta Bay by officers from the Jakarta Customs Regional Office together with the North Jakarta Directorate General of Taxation. The patrol was conducted on Monday (30/3/2026).

The Head of Enforcement Section II of the Jakarta Customs Regional Office, Siswo Kristyanto, explained that this activity is a follow-up to instructions from Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa to explore untapped state revenue potential.

“We conducted an inspection of foreign tourist vessels in Jakarta Bay,” said Siswo, quoted on Tuesday (31/3).

During the patrol, officers found 4-5 foreign tourist vessels suspected of violating vessel declaration rules, located on a private island. After inspection, the officers sealed the foreign vessels.

“We carried out temporary sealing or affixing to the foreign tourist vessels that we suspect of violations. The total sealed in Jakarta Bay is around 4-5 vessels,” he stated.

He explained that the sealed foreign tourist vessels had received import duty and tax exemption facilities for recreational activities in Indonesian waters. However, in reality, Siswo said, they received information that the foreign tourist vessels were misused for business purposes or rented out by exploiting the vessel declaration facility.

“We suspect some are misusing the facility (vessel declaration), such as by renting them out or transferring ownership (selling) to parties in Indonesia,” he clarified.

Currently, Siswo said, they are still conducting research with the Directorate General of Taxation on state losses due to the alleged violations by these foreign tourist vessels.

“The losses are still under research, but in terms of state revenue, one vessel is subject to import duty of 5%, income tax of 10%, VAT of 11%, and luxury goods tax of around 75% per unit,” he revealed.

Meanwhile, the representative of the North Jakarta Taxation Regional Office, Atma Vektor Mercury, emphasised that they, together with the Jakarta Customs Regional Office, will conduct research on the foreign tourist vessels suspected of violations.

“For sanctions, we will review first. If it’s administrative sanctions, an examination will be carried out. But if it’s criminal, we will direct it towards preliminary evidence,” he concluded.

Previously, Jakarta Customs also inspected 82 private cruise ships or yachts currently in the waters and docked at Batavia Marina two weeks ago.

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, SMEs, even those buying motorbikes for their work, such as online ojek drivers, still pay duties and taxes, fulfilling their obligations on the motorbikes they buy. How can those buying high-value goods and luxury goods not pay according to their obligations,” said Hendri Darnadi, quoted from an official statement.

His side will also ensure whether the owners have fulfilled formal permits and customs obligations for those vessels.