NIK NUMBERING MAKES CONTROL OVER CUSTOMS PROCEDURES EASY

             In spite of rejections from companies, especially from importers and exporters on the implementation of Custom Identification Number (NIK), it seemed that the Government was determined to put in effect NIK by mid January 2012 according to the set schedule. The Director General of Tax and Customs, the Ministry of Finance noted that so far 16,539 companies were already in possession of NIK as pre requirement for running import-export activities. Hence more than 90% import-export companies had been harnessed in the registration program and were already in possession of NIK.

       Deputy to the Coordinating Minister of Trade and Industry Edy Putra Irawady said in Jakarta (Friday 13/1/2012) that NIK was registration guideline of exporters-importers including PPJIK (center of employment service) and transportation operators in accordance with the Regulation of the Ministry of Finance no 63/PMK.042/2012 of Custom Registration. According to Eddy, the data was most representative, representing users of Customs services. The indicator was ratio between companies holing NIK and customs-related business players who were still active at the moment.

            Edy stated that there was no substantial reason for postponing NIK implementation considering that data was representative enough. He elaborated that before the application of NIK, the Government was already in possession of exporters data, i.e. through export Identification Number (AEP). However, in line with Government’s policy to jack up export, APE was stopped and renewed through NIK. “We seek for cooperation from exporters and importers. This NIK was put in effect because we want to be orderly and easy to control customs activities” Edy said.

            According to Edy, implementation of NIK was already in accordance with the rule, because illumination had been made for all related parties and stakeholders. Illumination and information on NIK had been made for 30 days in Jakarta and other main cities all over Indonesia. Furthermore publicizing was also conveyed through website of the Director of Customs and portal of Indonesia National Single Window (INSW) and advertised in several national print media.

            However, the Government stated that they were ready to open a dialogue. The Government, according to Edy, had promised to facilitate business people with NIK service. The Directorate of Customs had set up service posts (posko) in all KPP Customs offices to settle problems related to customs. This was necessary so fiscal policy adopted by the Government would be right on target. The way it had been, he said, that the fiscal policy adopted by the Government had created no maximum result. Edy was sure that the application of NIK could prevent blackmarket  importers and exporters. The implementation of NIK ownership was also needed by the Government for the sake of transparent documentation and custom verification.

            Edy stated that implementation of registration of custom through NIK had in fact been done since July of 2011 and supposedly end by December 2011, but checking of NIK in relation to export-import was only exercised by January 19, 2012. If there was any exporter or transporter who was still not in possession of NIK, there was still time before the NIK stipulation was implemented in the Computer Service System (SKP) for export in January 19, 2012 or 19 days since January 1, 2012.


 Business News, January 18, 2012