Customs In Surabaya. Importing Electronics As A Gift
 

Hi All

Been travelling to Indonesia for a fair few years now to see my wife. My point of entry is either Surabaya or Jakarta connecting to Surabaya and well aware through experience that Customs usually x-ray all bags.

My wife will be celebrating her birthday on my next visit in March and has asked for a new Iphone which I will purchase in HKG during my transit there.

I have always been the 'good' traveller to Indonesia and no excesses of Duty Free Allowances. Does anybody have any experience, good or bad, of arriving with new electronics and being questioned by Customs due to the value exceeding $250?

Another quick question. How are they about bringing 2 litres of alcohol in to the country? Wife has asked for a bottle of Baileys and I am partial to a wee Whisky now and again and I know that it is difficult and expensive to source the real stuff.

Thanks for any advice and insight in advance.

Safe & Happy Travels

S

If you don't need the box, you can easily claim it as yours instead of gift.

Alcohol shouldn't be a problem as long as within duty free limit.

This is Indonesia, if they make an issue, it's because they want some money ;)

Agree with 9Benua. Throw away the box and claim that the phone is yours. Otherwise you will need to declare the item.

I believe the duty free limit for alcohol is 1 litre.

How strict would they be? And If I had to pay the duty any ideas how much?

Thanks

Safe & Happy Travels

S

Strict. Duty fees = depends on how much that particular officer wants (in his pocket). Not worth it.

For electronics, take everything out of the box and remove all 'newness' from the piece.

Even if you want to keep the box, take out the phone, put phone and charger into hand luggage. Put some socks in the box and place that in the check-in luggage.
When you arrive, take the phone out of hand luggage and into your pocket. Done.

Actually it should be fine. I have brought brand new iphones in, one per person, sealed in box and it was fine (this was to CGK, on 3 different trips). They were more vigilant when the iphone 6 just came out in certain neighboring countries and was not available in Indonesia yet.

Of course when I brought back Apple Watch(es) and it was not available in Indonesia yet, I took them out of the box, and in my pockets.

Also, never check in any valuables/electronics into your checked bag.

Thanks for all the insight folks. Will play it by ear and see what happens on the day.

Safe & Happy Travels

S