Tangerang, Banten. Indonesian customs authorities have seized 48 pieces of gold weighing nearly 23.8 kilograms and valued at about Rp63 billion ($3.5 million) in two separate attempts to take the precious metal out of the country through Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

The seizures were made at Terminal 3 of the airport, with customs officials uncovering two different methods of allegedly attempting to circumvent export requirements, Director General of Customs and Excise Djaka Budhi Utama said Thursday.

In the first case, seven Chinese nationals traveling to Hong Kong were caught allegedly carrying 41 pieces of 24-karat gold weighing 17.44 kilograms and worth about Rp46 billion.

The gold was molded into cylinder- or egg-shaped pieces and concealed using modified clothing, including methods involving body insertion and body strapping, Djaka said.

“Such methods obviously affect the movement of the people carrying them,” Djaka told a news conference at the Soekarno-Hatta customs office.

The case was uncovered through cooperation between customs officials, airport aviation security personnel, and police, who detected the suspected gold being carried in hand luggage.

The seven Chinese nationals have been detained for further questioning. Customs officials are coordinating with the Metro Jaya Police and prosecutors from the Banten High Prosecutor’s Office as part of the investigation.

In the second case, authorities uncovered a different method involving an airport ground-handling employee.

The investigation began after aviation security personnel received information about suspected gold being carried by a ground-handling employee at the international arrivals loading dock.

Customs officers subsequently monitored the employee and observed a handover of the gold to a passenger who was preparing to fly to Dubai.

Two Indonesian nationals — the ground-handling employee and the passenger — were detained in connection with the case.

Authorities seized seven pieces of gold in cash-bar form, with varying purities, weighing a total of 6.35 kilograms and valued at about Rp17 billion.

The gold was concealed in a backpack and cabin luggage, according to customs officials.

All seized gold is being held for further customs examination and laboratory testing, Djaka said.

He stressed that taking gold out of Indonesia is not prohibited, but travelers must comply with customs requirements and declare the goods to customs officials.

“Taking gold out of the country is not prohibited. But there are rules that must be complied with by anyone carrying it,” Djaka said.

Indonesia has tightened oversight of gold exports through trade and fiscal regulations. An export duty on gold took effect in late December 2025, with collection beginning in 2026.

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the two cases demonstrated customs authorities’ ability to respond to increasingly sophisticated smuggling methods.

Within less than 24 hours, officials encountered two different methods, he said: concealing gold through body insertion and using a ground-handling employee to transfer gold to a passenger.

“Customs, as the guardian of Indonesia’s goods, must continue to strengthen its capabilities and always stay one step ahead in anticipating increasingly sophisticated smuggling methods,” Purbaya said.

He said the investigation would not stop with the individuals carrying the gold. Authorities would also trace the origin of the gold, its intended recipients, and other people potentially involved in the network.

“We will conduct further investigation into who sent it. I hope the senders will also be caught,” he said.

Purbaya urged people who need to take gold overseas to declare it rather than attempting to conceal it.

“If you need to take gold overseas, don't hide it. Declare it to Customs and comply with the requirements,” he said.

He also encouraged travelers to consult customs officials before departure to avoid potential legal proceedings for failing to comply with applicable rules.

“It is better to ask before you leave than to face legal proceedings for ignoring the obligations that apply,” Purbaya said.

Customs authorities will continue strengthening inspections of passengers and goods at international airports through screening technology, risk and passenger-data analysis, field surveillance and cooperation with other airport agencies.

The measures are aimed at preventing Indonesia’s natural resources from being misused and ensuring that passengers comply with customs requirements when taking goods out of the country.

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