SURABAYA (ISL News) - The East Java I Customs (Bea Cukai) Regional Office together with Tanjung Perak Customs took action against PT TI's imports after discrepancies were found between the goods declared in customs documents and the description of the goods, Ammonium Chloride Feed Grade Low Grade, amounting to 8,250 bags or 412,500 kilograms, loaded into 15 20-foot containers. The goods were supplied by Maxwell Protein (India) with a customs value of Rp894,069,000.00 and a total declared tax payment of Rp120,699,315.00.
The action began with information from the public indicating that the imported goods did not match the goods declared in customs documents. Based on this information, Customs and Excise conducted further analysis and investigation.
The Head of the East Java I Regional Office of Customs and Excise, Rusman Hadi, said that the disclosure of this case was the result of optimizing intelligence functions and collaboration with stakeholders such as the BKIHT, TNI, POLRI, and the Prosecutor's Office.
"We follow up on the information we receive through analysis and customs oversight mechanisms. Inspections are conducted to ensure compliance between the declaration in the customs documents and the actual imported goods," said Rusman.
During the inspection process of the goods in the container, officers found goods that were different from the type of goods that had been declared.
The results of the physical examination found:
- 4,049 bags of rice weighing 202,450 kilograms; and
- 4,220 bags of white particles weighing 211,000 kilograms.
For the white grain samples, laboratory test results showed sodium chloride (NaCl) content in the range of 98.16 percent to 98.81 percent on a dry basis, with KIO3 content in the range of 24.88 to 28.85 mg/kg or salt . Meanwhile, other sample items based on laboratory testing were identified as rice with different grain compositions in each sample.
The results of physical examination and laboratory testing showed a discrepancy between the quantity and/or type of goods examined and the goods declared in the customs documents.
"The goods were declared as ammonium chloride , but physical and laboratory examinations found rice and salt. We are currently investigating the action taken to determine the nature of the violation and follow-up actions," Rusman explained.
Based on these findings, officers immediately took precautionary measures and sealed the goods for investigative purposes.
Items that were successfully secured include:
- Rice: 4,049 bags / 202,450 kg.
- Garam: 4.220 bag / 211.000 kg.
The total amount of salt and rice successfully secured reached around 211,000 kg of salt and rice.
202,450 kg of rice with an estimated value of ± 7.853 billion.
Regarding this action, the Head of Tanjung Perak Customs, Agus Cahyono, also explained that the perpetrator used the mode of Misdeclaration (incorrect notification), namely a notification that does not correspond to the actual condition of the goods, both regarding the type, quantity, and other information that must be notified in customs documents. In this case, the goods were declared as Ammonium Chloride, while the results of physical inspection and laboratory testing showed that the imported goods were rice and salt. This discrepancy is an indication of misdeclaration and is currently being investigated to determine the elements of the violation and determine follow-up according to applicable customs regulations.
In this case, the importer and related parties are suspected of violating Article 102 letter h of Law Number 10 of 1995 concerning Customs as amended by Law Number 17 of 2006, specifically regarding the act of intentionally falsely declaring the type and/or quantity of imported goods in customs notifications.
Customs and Excise appreciates the public's involvement in providing information regarding suspected customs violations. Synergy between the public and regulatory authorities is crucial in maintaining the flow of goods across borders and protecting the public and the national economy from unlawful trade practices.
(ISL News Editorial Team/TPS Surabaya Public Relations).
