[REVISION HISTORY]

Indonesia customs crackdown on illegal goods

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2026-08-27 07:42 UTC → 2026-08-28 09:01 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In July 2026, Indonesian customs intensified actions against illicit trade. Early in the month, agents seized nearly three kilograms of gold destined for Malaysia, marking a focus on precious‑metal smuggling. By the end of July, a coordinated operation with the national police thwarted a 3.4‑ton shipment of pure mercury hidden among ceramic products bound for Burkina Faso, highlighting enforcement against hazardous material exports. Later that month, customs officers conducted raids across several provinces, confiscating more than four million illegal cigarettes in Kediri, intercepting 24,000 contraband packs in Jayapura, and reporting the destruction of 21 million illicit cigarettes seized earlier in the year. The tobacco seizures, valued at billions of rupiah, were said to avert tens of billions in tax losses, underscoring the agency’s broader mandate to curb a variety of illegal commodities and protect state revenue. In August 2026, enforcement against untaxed tobacco continued with significant interceptions. In Banjarmasin, customs officials at Trisakti Port seized approximately 3,082,760 machine-made clove cigarettes being transported by truck, valued at roughly Rp 4.5 billion. The shipment included brands such as Sabit Melon, Famos, and 54ryaku, all lacking excise stamps. Additionally, Jembrana Police intercepted 2,093 packs of cigarettes lacking excise stamps, subsequently transferring the case and a suspect to the Denpasar Customs Office for legal processing. By late August, authorities expanded their approach to include market enforcement and public education. In Cirebon, the Communications and Informatics Office began promoting education to break illegal supply chains. Meanwhile, joint operations in Bontang and Banten targeted retailers using ultraviolet light and Holoreader devices to inspect excise stamps, while also testing vape liquids for prohibited substances. Together, these operations illustrate Indonesia’s ongoing, multi‑faceted crackdown by customs—targeting both export‑focused smuggling of metals and domestic distribution of counterfeit tobacco—through coordinated raids and inter‑agency collaboration.

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