- Joined
- Jan 24, 2017
- Messages
- 240
I've traveled in and out of Indonesia internationally more times than I can remember - mostly through Jakarta. With only one exception, I've never been questioned about the items I've brought into the country. I generally have several electronic devices that include laptop, tablet, smartphone together with a bunch of other things. I generally bring some gifts (oleh-oleh) that often include sweets, snacks, and maybe clothing items. I've even brought a second laptop once, and it wasn't an issue.
Short story...
The one exception to all this was a time (maybe 10 years ago), my wife's friend asked me to carry a full suitcase where she paid the extra luggage fees with the airline. I didn't know what was in the suitcase, but trusted this person who was a close friend of my wife. When I arrived, in Soekarno Hatta Airport, they asked to open just this one suitcase. There were 15 watches in brand new boxes, 5 new handbags, and about 20 bottles of perfumes. The customs people were called over, and also a military looking police officer. They asked me why I hadn't declared these items. Needless to say, I was a bit surprised, and they didn't look happy. As it turned out, my wife's friend was having her relative meet me at the airport to pick up the suitcase, who was also an airport employee at one of the airlines. With his badge he was standing there, and witnessing the whole thing, and quickly started a very involved conversation with the authorities who were questioning me. We were brought back to a holding room, and the relative told me to wait outside while he discussed the situation. About 10 minutes later, he came out of the room, and everyone was smiling. He took the suitcase, thanked me for bringing it, and said there was no problem now. I asked if there was any fee or payment, and he said it was Rp80.000. That was the end of that event, and with minor exceptions, I've never taken anything again for anyone since that time.
Recently, there's a lot of chatter among the Indonesians here in Houston about the government getting more strict about customs at the international airports in Indonesia - especially in Jakarta. There's gossip and posts on social media, about customs officials really pressing incoming passengers about declarations. The question here: are things are getting more strict, and has something changed in the past year or so that is now focusing on collecting duties? In my short story above, it's pretty clear that this was wrong, and I learned my lesson. However, what if I bring two used laptops, an iPad and iPhone? I may also bring oleh-oleh and all my personal items for the trip. I may have some diving gear items. There are specialized backpacks, camera, GoPro, and other hiking equipment - and some of it may be new. However, they'll all have been unboxed and maybe in a carrying case.
The above is just an example, but the main point is where do they draw the line? I'm interested to hear what others have experienced. I realize this is a tricky question no matter where you go in the world, but Indonesia has generally been fairly tolerant over the past 17 years I've been going there. The question of this post, is whether things have changed, and if so, how and why?
Thanks.
Short story...
The one exception to all this was a time (maybe 10 years ago), my wife's friend asked me to carry a full suitcase where she paid the extra luggage fees with the airline. I didn't know what was in the suitcase, but trusted this person who was a close friend of my wife. When I arrived, in Soekarno Hatta Airport, they asked to open just this one suitcase. There were 15 watches in brand new boxes, 5 new handbags, and about 20 bottles of perfumes. The customs people were called over, and also a military looking police officer. They asked me why I hadn't declared these items. Needless to say, I was a bit surprised, and they didn't look happy. As it turned out, my wife's friend was having her relative meet me at the airport to pick up the suitcase, who was also an airport employee at one of the airlines. With his badge he was standing there, and witnessing the whole thing, and quickly started a very involved conversation with the authorities who were questioning me. We were brought back to a holding room, and the relative told me to wait outside while he discussed the situation. About 10 minutes later, he came out of the room, and everyone was smiling. He took the suitcase, thanked me for bringing it, and said there was no problem now. I asked if there was any fee or payment, and he said it was Rp80.000. That was the end of that event, and with minor exceptions, I've never taken anything again for anyone since that time.
Recently, there's a lot of chatter among the Indonesians here in Houston about the government getting more strict about customs at the international airports in Indonesia - especially in Jakarta. There's gossip and posts on social media, about customs officials really pressing incoming passengers about declarations. The question here: are things are getting more strict, and has something changed in the past year or so that is now focusing on collecting duties? In my short story above, it's pretty clear that this was wrong, and I learned my lesson. However, what if I bring two used laptops, an iPad and iPhone? I may also bring oleh-oleh and all my personal items for the trip. I may have some diving gear items. There are specialized backpacks, camera, GoPro, and other hiking equipment - and some of it may be new. However, they'll all have been unboxed and maybe in a carrying case.
The above is just an example, but the main point is where do they draw the line? I'm interested to hear what others have experienced. I realize this is a tricky question no matter where you go in the world, but Indonesia has generally been fairly tolerant over the past 17 years I've been going there. The question of this post, is whether things have changed, and if so, how and why?
Thanks.
. I had a shirt I bought for 100,000.
