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egarding Mr Joseph’s letter about bad customs service at the airport (the Post, March 8), we’d like to provide the following explanation.

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport is the busiest airport in Indonesia. The Air Transportation Directorate General said that in 2010, the number of passengers coming from abroad was 4,762,198 on 31,540 flights. That number certainly increased in 2011 and 2012. Lines of passengers awaiting screening at the X-Ray scanner are caused by a large number of passengers, especially during rush hour, while the capacity of the scanner is limited.

Moreover, the passenger line is worsened by the layout of the arrival terminal, where the distance between one check point and the next is very close, consequently leading to backups.

The provision of a green lane and a red lane at passenger checkpoints is regulated by Finance Ministry decree 188/PMK.04/2010, which states that at the time of arrival, passengers and transport crews must declare imported goods to a customs official using a customs declaration form. Passengers must be split into two lanes, the green lane and red lane. The red lane is for passengers who declare goods covered by the decree, such as taxable goods, prohibited or restricted goods that require physical examination. On the other hand, the green lane is for passengers without goods to declare. The green lane involves a random inspection system if there are indications of suspicious goods.

Practically, the determination of the lanes depends on the result of the X-Ray scanner machine. It means that all passenger belongings will be screened by machine.

 Customs officials are very strict in conducting screening examinations, as not every passenger is aware of or voluntarily reports goods subject to the import tax, including bans and restrictions.

Another reason is the high levels of drug smuggling using various methods of concealment in suitcases or bags. In 2010, there were 63 recorded cases of narcotics smuggling, including 45 smuggled by passengers coming through the arrival terminal of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Because of this, it is very reasonable if Customs and Excise office is very strict in conducting examinations of passengers.

Finally, we appreciate Joseph’s letter and are going to enhance our service quality at the arrival terminal at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to provide better customs service.

Deny Sudrajat
Counselling and Information Section chief Soekarno-Hatta Customs Office
Tangerang, Banten