Indonesian Govt Eases Import of Human Bodies and Ashes through Rush Handling Scheme

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, issued a new policy to facilitate easier import of human bodies and organs through Ministerial Regulation No. 26 of 2024 on the release of goods for use by rush handling.

Head of the Sub-directorate of Public Relations and Counselling, Encep Dudi Ginanjar, said the regulation replaced Ministerial Regulation No. 74 of 2021 to increase the efficiency of the release of imported goods with a rush handling scheme. "Several rules have been added," he said in a statement on the official Customs and Excise website, Thursday, June 13, 2024.

The rush handling scheme can speed up the process of importing goods in certain categories. The new regulation increased the number of goods available for rush handling from 10 to 13 goods.

The categories specified in the regulation include human bodies and ashes; human organs; articles that could potentially cause damage to the environment; living animals; living plants; time-sensitive newspapers and magazines; documents (letters); banknotes; vaccines or drugs for human beings that are time sensitive or require special handling; fresh-cut plants; fresh or cold fish or fish meat; meat beyond fish meat in a fresh or cold condition; and other articles that have obtained a license from the head of Customs Office or an appointed customs official.

According to Encep, importers must apply for rush handling and submit the complementary documents. After, an inspection is conducted regarding the ruling concerning prohibited and restricted goods through the Indonesia National Single Window (INSW) or the service computer system (SKP) or Customs Office.  and the determination of goods category through the SKP. 

The next process is determining the category of goods through SKP and submitting a guarantee to the head of the customs office or appointed customs and excise official, after which a rush handling registration number is issued. 

Customs Import Approvals for the 13 kinds of goods are issued within two hours after the application letter with complete documentation is received. Meanwhile, goods that require a license from the head of the Customs Office are issued five hours at the latest. 

ILONA ESTHERINA

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