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Has anyone ever had their goods detained by Indonesian customs? I'm seeking help to resolve this issue.
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We have a batch of machinery equipment that was detained by the Indonesian customs, who claimed that there were issues with the HS code classification. The goods have been stranded at the Jakarta port for nearly two weeks now, and the storage fees are increasing daily. The Indonesian client is also urgently demanding delivery. Has anyone encountered similar situations before? How can this be resolved quickly? What documents are required for this process?
Evelyn LiYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Cross-border Compliance SupervisorStart a Chat
The HS code classification disputes you encountered are a frequent reason for customs seizures in Indonesia. Firstly，you need to immediately instruct your Indonesian customs broker to obtain an official Detention Notice (Surat Penetapan Sementara)，which will clearly list the customs' concerns. For HS code issues，you should prepare product technical specifications，detailed functional descriptions，and pre-classification proposals. If necessary，submit an Indonesian-language customs classification ruling application. At the same time，verify that your FORM E certificate of origin，invoices，and packing lists are fully consistent. If the classification is indeed incorrect，it is recommended to proactively apply for a revised customs declaration，pay a deposit to retrieve the goods first，and avoid snowballing storage fees. In the long run，it is essential to conduct pre-audits for Indonesian customs compliance before shipping，especially for mechanical and electrical products，many of which require LARTAS import licenses. Choosing a locally reputable customs broker and preparing Indonesian-language technical documentation in advance can help avoid 80% of seizure risks.
Andy GuoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Supply Chain Management ExpertStart a Chat
The most important thing for you now is to control costs and gain time. First, ask the customs broker to issue a written progress report every day, clarifying which department within the customs authority the case has been transferred to, rather than just hearing verbal responses like "It's being processed." Second, immediately calculate the port storage fees. If they exceed USD 200 per day, you should consider the cost-effectiveness of applying for a guarantee release (Jaminan). Third, prepare two sets of plans: Plan A is to file an appeal, and Plan B is to return or transship the goods. Note that Indonesian customs has the right to auction goods that have been detained for more than 30 days. Regarding documentation, in addition to commercial invoices and packing lists, you should also prepare photos of the equipment, operation videos, and material analysis reports, as customs officers sometimes need visualized explanations to understand the products. If a return is ultimately necessary, remember to note "Return Cargo" in the customs system to avoid being flagged the next time you enter Indonesia.
Jason WuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics & Supply Chain ManagerStart a Chat
On your end, I suggest adopting a proactive communication strategy with the client. Send an official email today, attaching the seizure notice issued by the customs broker and your solution timeline to demonstrate professionalism and control. In terms of phrasing, shift the focus from "our goods were seized by customs" to "to ensure compliant customs clearance, we are currently conducting technical clarification with the customs authority and expect to resolve the issue within X days". Regarding costs, you could tentatively propose "we are willing to negotiate cost-sharing for additional fees arising from classification technical issues", which shows goodwill without directly shouldering all costs. If the client has local resources in Indonesia, you could ask them to assist in recommending a well-connected customs broker or customs consultant. This "jointly facing challenges" approach can quickly build rapport. When discussing new orders, change the payment method from T/T 30 days to DP at sight, or require the client to bear part of the import license fees to smooth out the risk and cost of this incident.