The Role of  Indonesian Customs

Indonesian Customs plays a wide range of roles which may be classified in the areas of collection of revenue, protection of society, and trade facilitation.

In terms of revenue, the Indonesian Customs has made significant contribution to the Government by collecting revenue from import duty and other taxes.

Over the years the main task of the Customs has gradually turned, from collecting government revenue into maintaining and securing the flow of goods and documents aiming at facilitating the international trade. It also has the task to encourage export, develop domestic industries, attracting foreign investment as well as creating wide spread employment.

In addition, to protect society, Customs in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, is also responsible for eradicating smuggling activities and illicit drug trafficking into Indonesia, protecting endangered species of wild fauna and flora as well as cultural heritage from being illegally exported.

To anticipate the rapid change of trade pattern and technology, in the years to come, Customs has taken steps among others, improvement of its services, improvement of organizational structure and management, simplification of customs procedures. To that end, Indonesian Customs has set up its vision, mission and strategy as follows:

• Vision              : To be equal to International Customs and Excise Intsitutions in performance and image;
• Mission           : To provide the best service to industries, trade and community;
• Strategy          :  Professionalsm, efficiency and service 

Computerization

To facilitate the process of customs clearance, the use of computers is highly required. For this purpose Customs has been developing an automation system by using computers operated in most of its offices. This system was first put on trial in 1988 at Surabaya seaport.

X – Ray Machine

The clearance of goods and baggages brought into Indonesia by travelers, returning residents and tourists is carried out by Customs. To facilitate this task, Customs is equipped with X-Ray machines stationed at major airports such as: Polonia airport (Medan), Soekarno Hatta airport (Jakarta), Semarang, Surabaya, and Ngurah Rai airports. 

Drug Detector Dog unit

The Customs Drug Detector Dog Unit was established in 1978 following a series of training conducted in 1973 at Customs and Excise Headquarters, Jakarta.

This unit is stationed in certain airports to support the prevention of illegal importation of narcotics into Indonesia as well as drug abuse.