Jakarta. A female passenger identified by the initials JES, 28, underwent intensive questioning by customs officers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport after arriving from Guangzhou, China, earlier this week, carrying what authorities described as a large number of Pokémon cards in her luggage.

The suitcase also contained Pokémon-themed toys and stickers, which the passenger said were souvenirs for her child.

During the inspection process, JES reportedly became distressed and cried as the questioning and examination continued for an extended period.

In a clarification posted on Instagram, airport customs authorities said all imported goods carried by passengers must be declared to customs officials.

“On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Soekarno-Hatta Customs officers conducted an inspection of baggage belonging to passenger JES arriving from overseas. The inspection was carried out following X-ray indications showing a large quantity of Pokémon cards inside the passenger’s suitcase,” the customs office said in a statement, without specifying the number of cards.

Under Indonesian regulations, passengers are entitled to duty-free exemptions for personal goods valued at up to $500 per person. However, the exemption does not apply if the items are classified as commercial goods intended for resale.

Customs officials said X-ray imaging raised suspicions that the shipment could be part of an informal import courier service disguised as personal souvenirs, prompting a more detailed inspection.

Authorities said the suspicion was strengthened by travel records indicating the passenger had made frequent overseas trips within a short period of time. Customs officers also reviewed the passenger’s social media activity as part of the verification process.

According to customs officials, certain Pokémon cards can sell for between Rp 100,000 and Rp 100 million, while some rare cards may reach values of up to Rp 1.5 billion, or around $85,300.

However, during questioning, the passenger insisted the items were personal souvenirs rather than goods intended for commercial sale and provided what customs described as a valid purchase invoice.

“After verifying the data, officers concluded that the items were personal belongings. On that basis, the goods were exempted from import duties and the passenger was allowed to continue her journey,” the customs office said.

Customs authorities also denied allegations circulating online that officers had intimidated the passenger during the inspection process.

“Regarding narratives claiming the passenger cried due to intimidation, those claims are untrue. In enforcing customs regulations, we always uphold integrity, professionalism, and respect for the rights and obligations of every citizen,” the statement said.

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