Indonesian Customs seizes Rp 73 billion in gold at four airports

The Indonesian Directorate General of Customs and Excise has intercepted more than 29 kilograms of gold and suspected gold items valued at approximately Rp 73.3 billion. The enforcement actions took place across four international airports in September 2026: Kualanamu, Soekarno-Hatta, I Gusti Ngurah Rai, and Sam Ratulangi.

At Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, officers seized 10 gold cast bars weighing 10,053 grams from two Chinese nationals traveling to Hong Kong. The goods were valued at roughly Rp 25.3 billion, with a potential loss of Rp 2.5 billion in state revenue. At I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, 14 gold bars weighing 10,418.3 grams were secured, valued at approximately Rp 26 billion. Additionally, 19 packages of suspected gold powder weighing 5,721 grams were seized at Sam Ratulangi Airport, valued at Rp 14.5 billion.

Director General of Customs and Excise Djaka Budhi Utama stated that the seizures are part of intensified monitoring following the implementation of Ministry of Finance Regulation Number 80 of 2025, which mandates export duties on gold. Smuggling methods included hiding gold in electronic equipment, suitcases, bags, and through body strapping. The agency is utilizing intelligence-based analysis to identify and prevent recurring illegal export patterns.