# Gold smuggling in Indonesia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gold-smuggling-in-indonesia
> Updated: 2026-10-26T02:50:39.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Following the implementation of Ministry of Finance Regulation Number 80 of 2025, which requires exporters to pay duties and provide surveyor reports, Indonesian Customs has reported a surge in gold smuggling attempts.

Initial enforcement actions at Soekarno-Hatta and Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airports involved the interception of gold bars and jewelry. However, by late October 2026, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise reported an evolution in smuggling tactics. Smugglers have transitioned from concealing solid gold or jewelry to using “inserters” to hide gold within body parts, and have shifted the form of the commodity from solid pieces to gold powder.

Recent seizures across various international airports, including Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Soekarno-Hatta, have involved significant quantities of gold ore powder found in capsules and other forms.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-26: Indonesian Customs reports evolving gold smuggling methods

Indonesian Customs officials report a shift in illegal gold smuggling tactics, moving from solid jewelry to gold powder hidden within the human body at international airports.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesian-customs-reports-evolving-gold-smuggling-methods

### 2026-10-14: Indonesian Customs reports rise in gold smuggling following new export rules

Indonesian Customs reports a rise in gold smuggling following new export regulations, including a recent Rp 13 billion seizure at Zainuddin Abdul Madjid International Airport.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesian-customs-reports-surge-in-gold-smuggling-at-airports

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Cite as: Gold smuggling in Indonesia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gold-smuggling-in-indonesia