Import procedures

[rabbit_39]

I was wondering if anyone here can shed some light to what I think is a weird procedure at the shipping yard's customs.

So after a bunch of bla bla bla, a container was shipped to JKT, under the name of a company (real, has import licenses, used to importing products) and every little commas, dots and letters where scrutinized.

Paid all of the required items, and got this letter that says the container is good to go to be taken out. Now... come this guy who says he's doing the last step which is the last audit of everything. and he found that he didn't agree with the HS code that was used (other companies have used it and this company has used it before). It's one where either HS code can be used to generally describe the imported product.

My questions:
- after the official customs letter was issued, is there really another audit step? I mean the company was ready to haul the container
- If there was this last "audit" why didn't it come before the letter was issued?
- What division under customs have this authority?
- Is there a regulation that describes the flow of everything that must happen once a container arrive at port?

The problem now (but I'm not really looking for a solution for this since it's obvious, just FYI for the readers):
- This guy who "audited" the papers just before the container was hauled away said there's a 100% penalty of the customs duty
- He'd be more than happy to negotiate it for only 25% of the total additional bill
- The importing company says that it's okay and that they'll pay the official fees
- This guy got angry when told the above over the phone and wants the company representative to come to his office, as in right now

WTF??

 

[fastpitch17]

I think someone is trying to pad a wallet at your expense. For the 25%, ask if there is a receipt. If not, you know what's going on.

 

[rabbit_39]

FP: yep the company knew that. And the answer was that they will pay the official fees, the full 100%. This is when the guy got angry and wanted the procurement team to come meet him at his office...NOW.

 

[rabbit_39]

Also, he showed his letter of appointment for his authority in checking/auditing the paper work one last time (called surat tugas I think) and he wouldn't allow it to be photographed. The same thing with his ID that says he's part of the intelligence division of Indonesian customs. Everyone knows he's just asking for money. I wish I could be there to challenge him...though I may end up in jail heheheh

 

[fastpitch17]

yeah, he wants them in the office to convince them to take a deal and not be paying 100% when they don't need to as a favor to them. I think I would find out who is the top guy in charge and mention that you want to abide by the laws so just want a clarification from the boss.

 

[rabbit_39]

Yep, another opportunity for him to be recorded.... how silly is this guy? I think he's just a local bully acting as an official. But it's possible that this is a semi-legitimate shakedown. And that's what I'm wondering about. Good idea about asking for his bosses.

 

[fastpitch17]

If he works for Customs you should be able to find out who the Customs general is and just drop the name to begin with and that you want clarification. You could ask if he would like to escort you to his office.

I think you can get some information here. http://www.beacukai.go.id/

 

[rabbit_39]

Ok, I finally got the full story and the conclusion to the events.

So here's what happened chronologically:
- Bla bla bla paying for the product, product arrival, customs check
- Finally the official letter to release the container was issued by customs (Called SPPB I think, Surat Pemberitahuan Pengeluaran Barang?)
- Got the container on the truck, and zoom, off it went to the company's warehouse. At this point everything is out of the bonded area and already at the private warehouse
- The receipt of payment for the customs and taxes was still at the customs office at Tanjung Priok, so while the truck was on the way to the warehouse, someone from the company went to the customs office to pick up the papers
- Somehow they were directed to the criminal investigation arm (divisi PP?) to pick up these papers
- When they were at the office, they were told that they needed to do one last inspection at the company's warehouse
- So everyone went to the warehouse, waited a little bit for the truck and then it arrived
- The guy from customs checked all the papers (was with the truck) and said that the HS code was wrong and more customs charges were owed (remember it had been officially discharged with no problems)
- He did some quick calculations and determined that the additional customs charges and the penalty amounted to Rp 120 million and he said there will be other taxes and charges
- He said he can help out for Rp 30 million
- Company representatives had no authority to pay this money and somehow got the guy to leave and that the company will give the decision in the morning
- Company management decides to pay the full amount of the customs charges and penalties
- When this was conveyed to the customs guys via phone the next morning, he was angry and requested the company reps to come
- They came and was shown to the supervisor's office
- Company representative stuck to their guns that they want to pay the full amount
- Customs supervisor got angry and threatened to give problems in the future and "not help if they need help like this again"
- Customs supervisor said that he already closed the case and filed the reports so the company got lucky and told the reps to go

So, watch out for this MO of trying to extort you if you do any importing.

 

[Nimbus]

Sri Mulyani is coming. Bea Cukai is part of Kemenkeu, so his days are numbered.

 

[HappyMan]

- Customs supervisor got angry and threatened to give problems in the future and "not help if they need help like this again"

That sort of line just sums it all up for me. The arsehole actually pretends he was being helpful and doing his job after being refused in his attempt at a shakedown. The temerity of some government officials here is astounding. Where do they learn it? Oh, wait, I found a book on Amazon, FaceSaving for Fu**Heads.

 

[R Cameron]

melapor korupsi https://kws.kpk.go.id/

 

[Bad_azz]

melapor korupsi https://kws.kpk.go.id/

But... 1 billion


"criteria Complaint

1. Comply with the provisions of Article 11 of Law No. 30 of 2002 .
   
   1. involving law enforcement officers , state officials , and others who norelation to crimes of corruption committed by law enforcement officers or state officials;
   2. got the attention of disturbing the public; and / or
   3. concerning the state losses of at least Rp. 1,000,000,000.00 (one billion rupiah) .
2. Explaining who , did what , when , where , why and how .
3. Equipped with preliminary evidence (data, documents, images and recordings) that support / explain their TPK.
4. Expected to be equipped with the data source information for the deepening."

 

[rabbit_39]

And only concerning state losses

 

[R Cameron]

But... 1 billion

I have no direct knowledge of how KPK works, sure they may not act on it, but I would still report it anyway (though I'd probably wait a bit so it's not so obvious who reported). 30jt this time, but certainly he's done it before, if they add up other times it might go over 1 billion.

edit: also, the second requirement ends with dan/atau, and/or, so only one of those 3 things is required to pursue the issue, and I would think this fits perfectly within the first.

 

[Anglian]

Some years ago the anti corruption authorities hit the dock area and cargo area at CGK, lots of cash etc, hoping this would improve things, it was worse, customs just did a go slow, it took our AOG aircraft engine 10 days to clear, our little logistic man 10 days going from Desk to desk trying to get things moving, another incident,a work mate sent his tool box by cargo, customs wanted $2000, so with the help of the company fixer, they snuck into cargo, took the tools out and put rocks into the tool box, customs then sent him a further bill for storage from time to time,I expect after 15 years or so it's racket up quite a bill by now

 

[bronze7]

Hello rabbit39 I PMed you, could you respond please

 

[Davita]

I'm aware this thread is already a few months old...but not much had changed.
My surgeon recommends I go for a PET CT scan. Unfortunately the equipment isn't available in Bali...only in Siloam in Semanggi, Jakarta.
My wife called to make an appointment to be told..... "The machine is out of service bu...'coz the spare part is at the airport awaiting customs clearance...and we don't know when it will be cleared."
This is a vital medical tool....FFS.

I've contacted PETCT in KL and thinking of going there...anyone have experience....http://www.petct.asia/en/

 

[Wisnu]

not sure if i'm lucky.
so far, we had our container of our personal effect re-imported (and re-exported) tto/from Indonesia for more than 4x without any problem (or we didn't know if any problem since all arranged by my company)
I'd also purchased various equipment on-line and shipped to Indonesia, again, no issue. we just had to pay import duties as per HS code for above USD 50 CNF.
the most recent (December 2016) I bought a new dive computer and asked to shipped to Indonesia, then got it in 2 weeks when I was in Jakarta. Easy.
Of course, I will not buy anything if might require specific permit such as medicine or cosmetics

 

[ilmysetya]

not sure if i'm lucky.
so far, we had our container of our personal effect re-imported (and re-exported) tto/from Indonesia for more than 4x without any problem (or we didn't know if any problem since all arranged by my company)

based on the custom regulation on importing personal effects in Indonesia, Only one air and one sea shipment of household goods allowed for free duty.
however, I have handled some sea shipments which get free duty on the second/third shipment.
no idea on air shipment.

 

[Anglian]

Doesn't seem as though things have got better and any action by KPK just results in a go slow, a few sackings would hel