TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Government advised to increase ceiling on import taxes

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Mon, September 18, 2017

Share This Article

Change Size

Government advised to increase ceiling on import taxes Airport staff check passengers' luggage at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Banten on Aug. 9. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)

T

he government is advised to increase the ceiling for the import tax on goods purchased in other countries, currently US$250 for each individual and $1,000 for a family.

“It is time to revise the policy by considering the inflation rate, people’s income and people’s purchasing power,” said Center for Indonesia Taxation Analysis (CITA) executive director Yustinus Prastowo over the weekend as reported by tempo.co.

He referred to Finance Minister Regulation No. 188/2010 on imported goods.

He called for an increase in the import tax ceiling to $2,000 for individuals and $10,000 for families.

Although the regulation has been in place since 2010, it has been enforced only recently, causing people some surprise to discover they have to pay various taxes at airports for goods they purchased abroad.

The issue went viral on social media when two travelers had to pay Rp 5.4 million ($408) to customs officers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for a bag they purchased in Singapore. They had to pay a 15 percent excise tax, 10 percent added value tax and 10 percent income tax.

The Finance Ministry’s customs and excise director general, Heru Pambudi, denied that his office had failed to disseminate information about the regulation.

“We appeared on radio and television. We distributed information through social media and Android apps,” Heru said. (bbn)   

{

Your Opinion Counts

Your thoughts matter - share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.