Indonesia Customs has begun accelerating the clearance of long-stored imported goods at Tanjung Priok Port through the destruction of state-controlled and unclaimed cargo, marking the first step in reducing longstay containers that have occupied customs areas for extended periods. The initiative reflects Customs’ commitment to providing legal certainty for imported goods while improving the efficiency of the national logistics system.
The destruction ceremony was held on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the Waiting Bay of Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT), followed by the destruction process the next day at the facilities of PT Sinergi Prima Sejahtera in Tangerang Regency. The destroyed cargo consisted of 303 cartons of cut flowers and 203 cartons of pussy willow plants classified as state-controlled goods (BDN), along with 4,350 sacks of fresh garlic categorized as unclaimed goods (BTD).
All of the goods had been declared unfit for use following inspections conducted by the Jakarta Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Agency. As a result, the cargo was disposed of through destruction in accordance with prevailing regulations.
Head of the Tanjung Priok Main Customs Office, Adhang Noegroho Adhi, described the activity as an important milestone in resolving longstay imported cargo within the office’s jurisdiction.
“Today’s destruction marks the beginning of our efforts to resolve longstay imported goods at Tanjung Priok. Going forward, we will continue accelerating the clearance of other longstay containers that meet the legal requirements. This initiative not only provides legal certainty for imported goods but also delivers tangible benefits to Indonesia’s logistics ecosystem,” he said.
The destruction was carried out by incinerating the goods in a high-temperature furnace under the supervision of Customs officers and officials from the Jakarta Quarantine Agency. The method permanently destroyed the physical characteristics of the goods, ensuring they could not be reused.
The cargo had remained in customs areas for several years. The state-controlled goods had been stored since January 2021, while the unclaimed goods had remained in temporary storage since August 2025. By resolving these cases, Customs expects to reduce congestion at temporary storage facilities, optimize the use of shipping containers, and improve the flow of goods through Indonesia’s ports.
Moving forward, Indonesian Customs will continue working closely with the Quarantine Agency, temporary storage operators, shipping companies, and other stakeholders to accelerate the settlement of longstay imported goods in a transparent, accountable, and professional manner. The effort is expected to create a more orderly and efficient customs environment while strengthening the competitiveness of Indonesia’s national logistics sector.
The destruction of the goods underscores Customs’ commitment to enforcing import regulations while safeguarding public health, agriculture, and the environment. Because the cargo had been declared unfit for use by the Jakarta Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Agency, destruction was deemed the only appropriate method of disposal to prevent potential biosecurity risks and ensure the goods could not re-enter commercial circulation.
Beyond clearing existing cargo, the initiative sends a clear message about the importance of timely customs compliance. Importers are expected to complete customs formalities and fulfill their obligations within the prescribed timeframe to avoid their goods being designated as state-controlled or unclaimed. Through consistent enforcement and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, Indonesia Customs aims to foster a more predictable trading environment that supports business certainty and strengthens the country’s logistics performance.
