Indonesia’s customs Red Light Period typically runs from December through March of the following year. During this time, customs primarily targets:

• New or first-time importers

• Shipments with incomplete or inconsistent documentation

• High-risk goods categories

• Cargo originating from high-risk countries

Shipments flagged with a “red lane” classification are almost guaranteed to undergo fiziksel inceleme, and in the current enforcement climate, scrutiny has become even more severe.

Declared Cargo Value Under the Spotlight

Beyond document compliance, cargo valuation has become a central focus of customs enforcement. Shipments declared at prices deemed “too low” are frequently suspected of tax evasion or smuggling, even when exporters believe they have declared the true transaction value.

To close valuation loopholes, the Indonesian government is accelerating the deployment of advanced technology systems. A centralized container scanning system, scheduled for full implementation next year, will play a key role in this process.

Centralized Scanning System Enhances Enforcement

Indonesia has invested heavily in new container scanners and IT infrastructure, now installed at major ports including Jakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, and other strategic gateways.

Under the new system:

• Container scan images are transmitted in real time to a central processing center in Jakarta

• Compliance status, valuation accuracy, and violation indicators are assessed by a central expert team, not local port officers

• Human intervention at the port level is significantly reduced

This centralized approach greatly increases enforcement consistency while limiting discretionary decision-making.