IMPORT CUSTOM CLEARANCE AT TANJUNG PRIOK PORT (THE OBSTACLES AND THE SOLUTION)

Abstract

Custom clearance process is one of the dimensions of the process of importing goods. Importers are obligated to fulfill necessary licenses to import the goods. Sometimes the process and fulfillment of customs procedures can be very complex, and if it is not handled properly, it will result in increasing logistics costs. The purpose of this study is to identify obstacles in the custom clearance activities that exist at Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, and find out the strategy to solve the problem. A qualitative approach was taken to answer the objectives of this study. Primary data collection techniques were done by triangulation of sources, namely conducting interviews with the actors, who are importers, custom broker, and customs authority. The process of data analysis used the model of Miles & Huberman (1984), where data was reduced, displayed and concluded. The results shows that the obstacle to clearance activity occurs due to the lack of importer's knowledge of custom clearance rules and conditions, and one single window system is not integrated in terms of import licensing to meet the import requirements of each relevant government institutions, causing a complicated and time-consuming licensing process. Periodic and continuous socialization of customs regulations increases importers and custom broker about customs knowledge, computerized network systems and technology rejuvenation need to be improved in order to improve the smoothness of the custom clearance process.