Indonesia announces relaxed formalities for foreign pleasure yachts

by Sue Richards on 22 Nov 2015 You may have already heard that the Indonesian tourist authorities want to attract more private yachts to its shores and in line with this have announced they are easing entry formalities following a Presidential Decree signed in September. The new policies talk about “the liberalization of CIQP (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Port Clearance), while CAIT (Clearance Approval for Indonesia Territory) and TIP (Temporary Import Permit) will no longer be required”. Is this for real, or just hot air?

This news article details the new regulations, as decreed in September 2015. Two months later, is this once again a matter of officials in high places making changes whilst the rest of the country remains in the dark?

Noonsite contacted a number of Indonesian yachting agents to find out if anything is going to change for visiting yachts.

The message that all agents report loud and clear is that under no circumstances should a foreign flagged boat of any size turn up in Indonesia without a CAIT. General opinion is that the Indonesia authorities are notorious for announcing improved measures, none of which actually seem to materialise (such as the on-line application for a CAIT this year).

The same may well be the case with this latest list of policy improvements. What yachting agents in Indonesia are pushing for, is a more streamlined and easier set of formalities, rather than a complete overhaul. After all, the CAIT, whilst rather cumbersome in its application, is a necessary procedure.

Richard Lofthouse of Asia Pacfic Superyachts in Bali, explains why: “The CAIT is the only control measure Indonesia has as to who or what are in her waters, very important from a security point of view. If it was scrapped it would be such a catastrophe that it would drive boats away, not attract them.

“Currently, no boat can just show up at an Indonesian harbour and announce their arrival. Legally the harbour and Customs must be notified 48hrs beforehand. This requirement will not change in a hurry as there are simply not the personnel or facilities to deal with it. Many harbours are just not equipped to clear boats in, either they don't know or don’t understand or can’t follow the regulations.

“More importantly though, the CAIT controls numbers. If boats just start turning up and heading en masse to destinations like Komodo, where there are no dedicated facilities, we will end up with a flotilla of vessels in spots that will be ruined by too many people. This will cause friction, devalue the product and end in tears.”

Ruth of Isle Marine Services echoes this sentiment: “Visiting yacht skippers need to understand that the CAIT and Temporary Import Permit are the only way to regulate and manage every yacht that enters and sails in Indonesia. It is also one way we have of protecting our country. The CAIT and Temporary Import Permit are still mandatory'.

Andy Scott, author of the Cruising Guide to Indonesia, recommends that visiting yachts “proceed with caution. New regulations in Indonesia do have a tendency to flip flop and it is too early to confirm these new policies with certainty. We would advise anyone heading this way to contact their local visa and yachting agent for the latest information”.

Find out full details of the paperwork required to enter Indonesia here.

http://www.noonsite.com/Countries/Indonesia/indonesia-announces-relaxed-formalities-for-foreign-pleasure-yachts-2013-is-it-for-real