The Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) of the Ministry of Finance has officially launched the HICO Scanner (X-ray) for container inspections at the Koja Container Terminal (TPK Koja). This new installation aims to enhance the supervision of export-import activities in Indonesia.
“Alhamdulillah, this morning, through the collaboration of various ministries, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), and business stakeholders, we are proud to implement the new HICO Scanner. This tool is significant and crucial in providing better services and supervision for export and import activities,” said Askolani, the Director General of Customs and Excise, during the inauguration of the HICO Scanner at Koja Container Terminal (TPK Koja) in North Jakarta on Wednesday (18/12).
Askolani highlighted that the HICO Scanner is designed to prevent smuggling and other illegal activities related to export and import goods, in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Finance (PMK) Number 109/PMK.04/2020, which governs Customs Areas and Temporary Storage Station (TPS).
“With the ability to scan the contents of containers quickly and accurately, without opening them, the inspection process becomes more efficient. This reduces waiting times and strengthens our efforts to prevent illegal activities,” Askolani explained.
The urgency of implementing the HICO Scanner is underscored by the rising number of customs violations in 2024, with a total of 1,849 cases, of which 1,744 were import-related. In the same year, Tanjung Priok Customs took 2,142 actions, including 2,048 actions for import violations and 94 for exports.
Askolani further emphasized that the HICO Scanner offers several benefits, including improving national security by preventing the entry of dangerous goods, stopping the trade of prohibited items, and curbing export-import fraud.
“With enhanced efficiency, we expect an increase in the value of exports and imports, which will, in turn, foster economic growth, attract more investment, create jobs, and generate a multiplier effect on the Indonesian economy. This will contribute significantly to the growth of our GDP,” he added.
Askolani also pointed out that Indonesia’s dwelling time—the period between when a container is unloaded from a ship and when it is cleared—was recorded at 2.71 days in 2024, with customs clearance taking 0.3 to 0.4 days. The introduction of the HICO Scanner, which utilizes scanned images, is expected to improve the effectiveness of physical inspections for imported goods.
Looking ahead, Askolani revealed plans for further optimization, noting that an analysis would be conducted to streamline the export-import processes at the Tanjung Priok Container Terminal, drawing comparisons with other ASEAN countries that have successfully reduced dwelling times.
“By analyzing the data collected at Tanjung Priok, we aim to simplify the business processes for export-import services,” he explained.
As of December 2024, Askolani announced that DJBC is ready to deploy 10 HICO scanners across five locations in Tanjung Priok. These will include:
- Jakarta International Container Terminal (JICT): 2 scanners for imported goods and 1 for exported goods.
- TPK Koja: 1 scanner for exports and 1 for imports.
- New Priok Container Terminal – Multi Terminal Indonesia (NPCT-MTI): 1 scanner each for exports and imports.
- Mustika Alam Lestari (TER3-MAL): 1 scanner for exports and 1 for imports (under construction).
- Graha Segara: 1 scanner operational since June 2023, specifically for physical inspection of imported goods under red lane services at JICT and Koja Terminals.
“The number of HICO Scanners at each location is tailored to the specific capacity and needs of the respective terminal,” concluded Askolani.