Indonesia reviews container storage rules after Tanjung Priok congestion

The Finance Ministry is reviewing import regulations and considering penalties for importers that leave containers at Tanjung Priok Port for extended periods, following congestion involving nearly 10,000 containers.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the government has instructed the Directorate General of Customs and Excise to evaluate existing rules and formulate sanctions for companies that excessively delay removing cargo from the port.

"We will review the regulations and consider punishment for those who leave their goods here for too long," Purbaya said during a recent visit to Tanjung Priok.

According to Customs Director General Djaka Budhi Utama, the congestion was not caused by customs clearance procedures but by importers using the port as a temporary storage facility to reduce warehousing costs.

Djaka cited several automotive importers, including BYD and Wuling, as examples of companies that continued to store containers at the port after receiving Customs clearance and permits to release goods.

Customs has begun requiring importers to promptly move containers out of the port area once administrative processes have been completed. Authorities are also considering relocating cargo to off-port logistics facilities, known as line-two storage areas.

The ministry said any future penalties would be designed to remain fair and proportional, with the government assessing what constitutes a reasonable storage period before imposing sanctions.

Officials believe the prolonged storage of containers is hampering port efficiency and contributing to longer dwelling times at Indonesia's busiest seaport.

Editing by Alexander Ginting