Wooden Vessel Seized by Batam Customs for Transporting Mixed Goods Without Customs Declaration
Batam Customs has intercepted the wooden vessel KM Cahaya Al Khair, which was transporting several packages of goods out of the Batam Free Trade Zone without the required customs declarations. The Sea Patrol Task Force team (BC-20009) intercepted the vessel, manned by three individuals including the captain, in the waters around Pulau Mubut in the early hours of Wednesday (26/8).
The Head of the Batam Customs Office, Agung Widodo, revealed that the enforcement action began following community reports regarding a planned shipment of goods from Batam to other areas within the Customs Area (TLDDP) using sea transport without customs notification. To follow up on this information, the patrol team moved towards the suspected route in the waters around Barelang.
Near the location, the patrol team received further information that the operational target was in the waters around Pulau Mubut, prompting a sweep of the area. At approximately 01:30 WIB, officers gained visual contact with a loaded wooden vessel moving from the waters of Pulau Mubut heading east. Officers subsequently intercepted the vessel and inspected both the transport and its cargo.
“Based on the initial inspection, we found several packages containing shipment goods being transported without customs declaration. Following this finding, we proceeded with enforcement in the form of inspection, interception, and sealing of the vessel and its entire cargo,” Agung detailed.
Officers subsequently secured the KM Cahaya Al Khair, its cargo, and the individuals on board to the Tanjung Uncang Customs Pier for further investigation. An inventory revealed that the cargo consisted of various types of goods, including electronics, kitchenware, clothing, footwear, perfume, mobile phone cases, processed food and beverages, cosmetics, supplements, and other items, all transported without customs declaration.
According to Agung, any cargo classified as restricted or prohibited goods (lartas) that cannot be processed will be designated as State-Controlled Goods (BDN) in accordance with Law Number 17 of 2006 concerning Customs. Meanwhile, the vessel KM Cahaya Al Khair will be subject to administrative sanctions pursuant to Law Number 17 of 2006 on Customs and Government Regulation Number 41 of 2021 regarding the Implementation of Free Trade Zones and Free Ports.
Agung emphasised that the movement of goods from the Batam Free Trade Zone to other areas within the customs territory must comply with applicable customs regulations. His office will continue to strengthen supervision, including through sea patrols, to ensure that the movement of goods complies with regulations and to prevent the illegal circulation of restricted goods.
“This enforcement action is part of Batam Customs’ commitment to performing its functions of supervision and community protection, particularly against the circulation of goods that do not meet customs and restricted goods regulations. Batam Customs also urges the public and business actors to ensure that all movement of goods to and from the Batam Free Trade Zone and Free Port (KPBPB) is carried out in accordance with applicable regulations,” Agung concluded.