Jakarta Customs
Aug 15, 2003 | 9:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Diamond
Posts: 92
Jakarta Customs
Does anyone have an experience with customs in CGK? I'm thinking about scheduling a flight arriving very close to my meeting time. I'm looking for info on speed, lines, friendliness, etc.
Aug 15, 2003 | 11:15 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London & White River, South Africa
Posts: 24,644
I've flown into CGK 6-7 times in the last 2 years. I've never waited more than 2-3 minutes at immigration, helped a lot as I am normally getting off the pointy end of the plane.
Friendliness - no. I've heard lot's of stories about corruption and bribes but never experienced any issues personally. Just be warned that if you are on business you should get a business visa - certainly for EU citizens anyhow. If you don't, you could be leaving yourself open for hassle.
There is a seperate Customs check, which never seems to consist of anything more than x-raying your bags. FWIW, baggage reclaim is normally fast and efficient, and priority tags work!
Friendliness - no. I've heard lot's of stories about corruption and bribes but never experienced any issues personally. Just be warned that if you are on business you should get a business visa - certainly for EU citizens anyhow. If you don't, you could be leaving yourself open for hassle.
There is a seperate Customs check, which never seems to consist of anything more than x-raying your bags. FWIW, baggage reclaim is normally fast and efficient, and priority tags work!
Aug 15, 2003 | 6:28 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Silicon Valley
Programs: AA:PLT&3MM, HGP:DIA, SPG:GOLD
Posts: 1,896
You'll get in slight trouble if you state in your landing card that you're there on business BUT don't have a business visa. Truth is you don't really need a business visa. Most everybody I know going to JKT on business state that they're there as tourists. It's a lie, everybody know that, but that's the way the ball bounces.
Aug 15, 2003 | 6:41 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2000
Programs: I am an AS employee, but my comments do not represent the company in any official capacity.
Posts: 4,343
Used to live in Jakarta. Been in/out more times than I can remember. In general, the process is expiditious but sometimes officers expect a bribe. I noticed that the more times I had gone in/out the more difficult it became. If I were you, act dumb, don't speak any indonesian, and don't hand over more than $5 US if you get the "shake down."
Aug 15, 2003 | 7:02 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SIN, SUB
Programs: Kris Flyer - Silver
Posts: 68
Customs is normally very fast. The immigration lanes, on the other hand, are extremely slow at times; especially during peak hours. What I usually do when I arrive is to rush out of the plane and walk quickly towards the Immigration. Funnily, my bags always take ages to appear... Hmmm...maybe because I dont have priority tags? *shrug*
Better check the visa requirement again, if I am not wrong the government is planning to remove some Visa-On-Arrival arrangement for some countries.
Better check the visa requirement again, if I am not wrong the government is planning to remove some Visa-On-Arrival arrangement for some countries.
Aug 17, 2003 | 1:18 pm
#6
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Gold / Hyatt Explorist / Hertz PC
Posts: 36,206
Im also a CGK veteran, and NEVER had any issues with customs, and Ive arrived with 3 large suitcases and 2 carry ons.... dont worry too much, you will be OK. If they talk to you, it will probably be in English (unless you look Indonesian), so the I dont undrestand Bahasa will probably not work. Regardless, dont think too much of it, you will be OK.
Aug 18, 2003 | 4:38 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Singapore
Posts: 8
Not too good an idea to schedule your meeting close to arrival time. The custom is Ok, but the immigration can take very long especially if more than 1 flight arrive at the same time. You will notice the regulars rushing to beat the crowd once they get out of the plane. The other is that if your meeting is in the business district, traffic could be a little unpredictable.