Indonesia Customs Seizes 906 Million Illegal Cigarette Sticks in First Half of 2026

The Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) of Indonesia reported that it confiscated about 906 million illegal cigarette sticks between January and June 2026, surpassing the 816 million seized in the same nine‑month period of 2025. The crackdown follows a 2025 total of roughly 1.4 billion illegal sticks seized. DJBC spokesperson Budi Prasetiyo said illegal products are sold cheaper because they evade excise duties, undermining fair competition for legal tobacco businesses. He added that the operation supports state revenue, which grew about 1 % in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier. Members of Parliament’s Commission XI, including Harris Turrino, noted that illegal tobacco may account for 11‑14 % of the market, stressing the need for consistent enforcement to protect jobs and tax income.