Rendi A. Witular, Jakarta – The Directorate General of Customs and Excise plans to impose non-tax fees on import and export clearance and inspections starting next month in a bid to raise funds to improve services.
Businessmen have immediately criticized the plan, however, saying the fees would only be a new burden, and doubted that customs services would improve.
According to an official customs report obtained by The Jakarta Post over the weekend, the new fees will range between Rp 30,000 (US$3.50) to Rp 450,000 per service.
Import and export clearance procedures are currently free of administrative charges, but businessmen said many customs officials illegally collected fees or received bribes for speedy clearance.
The report said the fees would come into effect this month; however, a source at the customs office said the plan would be delayed until next month. The customs office spokesman could not be reached for comment.
Ministry of Finance spokesman Maurin Sitorus confirmed the plan with the Post, saying that the ministry was in the midst of drafting a ministerial decree on the service fees.
"...The fees are clearly to be used to finance activities of the customs office that are not covered by the state budget," he said.
He explained that the fees would be incorporated into the state budget under non-tax revenues, and the customs office could request a maximum 80 percent of the revenue.
The customs office, known as one of the most corrupt government institutions, falls under the Ministry of Finance.
In its report, the customs office said revenue from the fees would be used to improve services and upgrade facilities.
The source at the customs office said part of the revenue would be used to better the welfare of customs officials in order to curb corruption at the office.
Government officials often point to low salaries as the main reason behind the rampant corruption in the country. A higher salary, they said, would reduce the temptation of corrupt dealings.
The source also said the Indonesian National Shipowners Association (INSA) and several textile and garment companies had rejected the plan, as the fees would only be an added burden.
Meanwhile, National Economic Recovery Committee (KPEN) chairman Sofjan Wanandi said while businessmen understood the lack of operating funds at the customs office, they had no guarantee that the fees would improve services.
"I fear that this will only end up as another high expenditure. What will happen if businessmen pay for the services, but receive no improvement and corrupt practices continue? Can the government guarantee this won't happen?" he said.