AYSS: Changes in Indonesia

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Fantastic news for Indonesia yacht charter and visiting superyachts.

Reporting from Asia Pacific Superyachts Indonesia, Richard Lofthouse and Jimmy Blee announce the following welcomed news. The two most significant changes are:

  • An online CAIT process for agents which will reduce CAIT process time from 1 month to around 1 working day (as yet untested).
  • Local clearances are abolished so we only need to clear at first and last port of call. This is a huge change and APS Indonesia has protested long and hard against this and we are thrilled to finally have this actioned.

APS was invited to attend the recent coordination meeting for foreign yacht entry / exit Ports of Indonesia, hosted by the Sea Transportation Department in Jakarta. This meeting highlighted the clarifications to Perpres 79 (2011) made under Perpres 180 (2014) such as:

  1. Foreign yachts ONLY need clearances at first entry and last exit ports, domestic clearances are NOT necessary. The SPB sailing permit issued by Harbormaster at first entry port covers all domestic travel up to exit port.
  2. Cruising Permits from now on are issued via e-CAIT online system and both agents and private individuals can apply online at: https://caitagen.kemlu.go.id/#.
  3. e-CAITs will be issued in the shortest time possible, aiming for 24 hours approval. Our clients will still apply through us but we are able as registered agents to complete the process faster online.
  4. Foreign yacht Owners and their representatives can sign the guarantee for Customs temporary import (this was not specified in Perpres 79).
  5. Foreign yachts are forbidden from commercial activity within Indonesian waters, no chartering.
  6. New marine tourism facilities can be public – private partnerships and local Government are encouraged to facilitate such development.

During the meeting Customs and Immigration committed to aligning their processes with the online system, although how long and what format this make take is unclear. “We consider this the biggest change to Indonesia’s foreign yacht policy and are excited to see how it all translates in reality during the coming years”, announced APS Indonesia.

The game changing law will open Indonesia’s doors to visiting yachts, which in turn will open the gate between the Pacific Ocean and Asia & Indian Ocean.