Indonesia Targets Illegal Jewelry Imports, Seals Outlets
Jakarta. Indonesian customs authorities have sealed several luxury jewelry stores in Jakarta over alleged violations of import and tax rules, as the government steps up enforcement against illegal high-value goods entering the country.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said some of the imported products being sold fell into what officials colloquially describe as “Spanish goods” — a term used by customs officers to refer to problematic imports that partially or entirely evade duties.
“Some of the goods didn’t pay 100% of the import duty. Some paid 50%, some 25%,” Purbaya told reporters after the February 2026 edition of the state budget briefing. “If you’ve already stolen and then openly sell the goods in front of us, it’s like insulting the government. We will pursue this. We will secure the domestic market from illegal goods.”
He said the total potential state losses have yet to be officially calculated.
The Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) has sealed several outlets in recent weeks as part of what it described as administrative examinations into import declarations and tax payments.
On Feb. 20, customs officials sealed Bening Luxury, a jewelry store in Pluit, North Jakarta, over suspected non-compliance with import duty and tax obligations. Nugroho Arief Darmawan, head of intelligence at the Jakarta Customs office, said the action was still in the administrative review stage.
“The entities currently under examination are suspected of not fulfilling obligations related to import duties or taxation, including VAT or income tax,” Nugroho said. He added that findings have not yet been finalized, as the process is ongoing in coordination with the Directorate General of Taxes.
Earlier, on Feb. 11, customs authorities sealed three outlets operated by Tiffany & Co. at Plaza Senayan, Plaza Indonesia and Pacific Place Jakarta. The stores were suspected of holding high-value imported goods that were not declared in import notification documents.
Tiffany & Co., founded in New York and now owned by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, allegedly failed to declare certain high-value items brought into Indonesia, according to officials.
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