Event Reports

Following an alignment call in preparation with other foreign chambers on 28 July 2021, the joint chambers met the Directorate General of Customs and Excise the next day on 29 July 2021. The meeting was participated by EuroCham, US-ABC, AmCham, and the EU-ABC on behalf of leading global logistics services companies. During this meeting, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise was represented by the Director of International Customs and Excise, Syarif Hidayat, along with colleagues from the Directorate of Technical Customs. The purpose of the Meeting was to jointly discuss the upcoming implementation of insertion of tax identification requirement in the inward and outward manifest at the house airwaybill level, as mandated by the Director General of Customs and Excise Regualtion No. 11 of 2020.

During the Meeting, the joint chambers conveyed their concerns, specifically on the requirement to include Tax Identification Numbers (NPWP) at the House Airwaybill Level, or other alternative identification numbers in the manifest for all inward and outward shipments. Partial incompleteness of the Tax Identification data or other identification of the shipper and consignee can lead to issues for the overall clearance of the shipment. Based on this meeting, the Customs Main Office confirmed that other forms of personal information, such as a telephone number, can be used in place of the Tax Identification numbers and that the Diretorate of Customs and Excise Information has updated their IT system to accommodate such information. Therefore, information like telephone numbers included in the manifest will not render a rejection of the entire manifest when submitted to Customs.

EuroCham Pharmaceutical and Medical Technology Working Group Task Force for medical devices (jointly with American Chamber, US-ASEAN Business Council, APACMed, and the Indonesia Canada Chamber) had the privelage to meet with the Deputy of Tourism and Creative Economy from the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Odo Manuhutu, on 27 July 2021. The meeting served as a joint advocacy effort carried out by the group in relation to the issue of the delisting of 79 imported medical devices products on the e-catalog that abruptly happened few weeks before due to the local content issue and the government’s call to use Indonesian-made products.

The meeting aims to share the importance of sustainable access of Indonesian patients toward innovative products, particularly in this time of pandemic; as well as the facts that the nature of medical devices requires global supply chain in the production process, and that many other factors affecting investment decisions should be considered. It is expected that there will be a transition provided for the delisting and more clarity on the products selection.

After the interactive discussion, it was suggested by the Coordinating Ministry to further follow up by establishing a task force to develop a plan to attract foreign investment in this sector. The Coordinating Ministry implied that the delisting will be subject to further implementation, and they also indicated that they will provide the necessary assistance for any investment hurdles, including pertaining to post-investment business contracts.