Bali Customs at it AGAIN!

Guess loading up on chocolates is another strategy

At least that's the ticket with that custom's agent!

i believe this is their favorites

 

i believe this is their favorites

ooh, how about lacing a box of chocolates with that? heh heh that way, when you exit denpasar, you won't have to deal with ANY customs officers...

i've been to bali a couple of times with no problems whatsoever...it probably helps that my groups are almost all Asians.

it has actually got me thinking about the Schapelle Corby story and whether her pleads of innocent were real. if you dont know the girls story do a google search and you will find it.

What you think she was innocent?

I think if I had a body board that weighed a few kilos, then suddenly more than doubled in weight I'd notice!

What you think she was innocent?

 

I think if I had a body board that weighed a few kilos, then suddenly more than doubled in weight I'd notice!

i wouldnt like to say, but if all of her bags had been re-weighed on the same scales at the check in desk where she checked in, as i believe her defence had requested when she was arrested, it would have proved it one way or another. for some reason, her bags were never re-weighed. if they weighed 20kg for arguements sake, when she originally checked her luggage in, and if they then weighed 24.1kg when she was arrested then i feel she might have been innocent.

Boy, am I torn. On the one hand, I can understand visiting a tribal society and being prepared to make a gift to the people. Hopefully, if you used a travel agent or read the "Fodors' guide to indigenous customs, you'd be prepared for it. But, the GOVERNMENT should be a different story. If you have an international airport you ought to avoid fleecing the tourists. This sort of "crap" will absolutely and positively keep people from visiting Bali, to the detriment of their tourism industry. Sure, for the seasoned traveler, paying a few bucks here and there is not a problem. But to most people who are uncomfortable traveling to begin with, they sure has hell are not going to travel half way around the world to be held up by a customs agent.

The discomfiture of not being in control of one's spending because public officials randomly pick your pocket, makes it quite likely that many people will never return, or never go to begin with. And when this is more publicized on tripadvisor and other websites, it will be blown out of proportion to the problem for sure by irate people who are used to due process, etc., and it will scare the pants off of countless tourists.

And, you know what? I wouldn't fault people one bit for directing their hard-earned money elsewhere. Not the sort of garbage one expects when paying an arm and a leg to visit "paradise."

Ah david

therein lies the rub. Many "innocent" tourists complain about paying off customs bribes, however, quite a few other "innocent" tourists love that they can pay $XXX and overstay 90 days above the 30 day visa in Indo or pay off the cops for causing a car accident/fight/DUI etc etc.

When enough people complain to the Indonesia government (esp Bali tourism) about these issues, I'm sure they'll stay quiet for a few years as they did after the bombings.

Let's also get real and think about how many tourists carry 2 or more pro SLRs and housings on holiday? One can also not pay the bribe and just pay the bond or duty which is refundable. I had to do that in Chile and Bolivia. It's inconvenient and annoying, but it's also Indonesian law (at least their interpretation of it )

I just completed reading this entire thread; not a bad idea considering I will be Bali-bound in 10 days and counting.

Note to self:

1) Place the Pelican case in a duffle bag

2) Bring wet-wipes to remove the chalk "Xs"

Thanks for the heads-up Wetpixelers...

This is a great read and it brought back a really funny memory from 1995. I was in Bali with my husband (then boyfriend). We lost some travelers checks and went to the local police station to file a police report which was needed for the reimbursement. My bf was shuffeld off by a young police officer to some building and I was told I had to wait with the big honcho in a separate area. As I waited the big honco started making phone. Soon police officers started filing in at the station and apparently I was the reason. Noone spoke much English, but as I asked when my bf would be back they told me it would be "soon". An hour passed... then two. I was starting to get the idea that my bf is filing some really really long report... I was sitting there surrounded by all those police who peered at me and apparently discussed me. Ever so often some of them tried to talk to me, but the big honcho told me I should only talk to him, pointing to the "stripes" on his sleeve and then tto the stripes of the "lesser" officers. As the time passed an I enquired about the possibility of getting my BF back, my questions would just be waived at and the big honco would for the umpteent time ask where I was from and then victoriously declare to the rest of the officers that I was from PIN-LAN-DI-A! Also, quite a few times he suggested that I should make a "donation" to the police station. I was getting the message, but wasn't in a particular hurry anywhere and the situation was not intimidating. So rather than making a "donation" I just sat there, letting them oogle me for hours. But eventually the "donations requests" became quite annoying, and not having an idea of how much to "donate" I asked how big a donation would be appropriate. I don't remeber what it was, but it was too much, as I basically had no money anyway. So I told them that my bf maybe would be interested in making a donation although he wouldn't have very much money due to the unfortunate incident with the lost checks. This was contemplated and soon the big honcho went to check on the progress of the "policereport" and returned back with the young officer and my bf. The the big honcho suggested that NOW would be a good time to make a donation. As my honey is pretty quick on the uptake, he did not offer any "monetary donation" but suggested that he buy sodas from the vending machine for all officers. This apparently was an appropriate "donation" and all present were very pleased. The big honco handed me his card and asked me to please write a postcard to him from Pin lan di a. When we left I asked my bf to show me the police report that took almost 6 hours to compose. It was less than two rows of typewriter text. At least I have a funny memory of the incident, tho I wasn't really planning on spending one of my vacatio days at a police station entertaining the local law enforcement.

i wouldnt like to say, but if all of her bags had been re-weighed on the same scales at the check in desk where she checked in, as i believe her defence had requested when she was arrested, it would have proved it one way or another. for some reason, her bags were never re-weighed. if they weighed 20kg for arguements sake, when she originally checked her luggage in, and if they then weighed 24.1kg when she was arrested then i feel she might have been innocent.

Interesting story; scary at the same time, who really knows whether she was guilty or innocent. Still one of the scariest movies I ever watched was 'Midnight Express', put me off traveling to Turkey for years, particularly as at that time there were a few illicit molecules that could probably be detected on my person. Customs agents abroad make me feel powerless like IRS agents at home.

funny story Marjo. 6 hours?!?! yikes

Interesting story; scary at the same time, who really knows whether she was guilty or innocent. Still one of the scariest movies I ever watched was 'Midnight Express', put me off traveling to Turkey for years, particularly as at that time there were a few illicit molecules that could probably be detected on my person. Customs agents abroad make me feel powerless like IRS agents at home.

thats my favourite film of all time " william hayes or haynes " christ what did that poor guy go through. i know he was 100% guilty but to be that near to release then get told you have plenty more years to do is not good. still he did manage to sort the fat prison chief out. ( oh and one must say, the overweight prison chief was a very naughty man )

[Edited by Moderator for language]

We also ran into customs problems in Bali three weeks ago. My wife and I had two video cameras with us in hand luggage and one Amphibico Phenom housing.

Some customs guy asked us to step into his office and asked whether we had a special permit for filming. He told us that we had to leave our cameras with him and we had to get into Denpasar to arrange the permit. That would take at least 2 days. We also had to pay a deposit for 30% of the total value of the cameras.

In the end we got away with 150$. This was not a bribe, just payment for a faster way to get the cameras into Bali

If you fly from Singapore into the smaller airports on one of the islands and avoid going in via Bali, do you get the same problems with customs?

People

If you feel you need protection from these guys, write to the Indonesian embassy in your country and ask for the rules of importation. Then present them to these guys.

You may also send your feedback here:

Ministry Of Culture And Tourism, Republic Of Indonesia

Sapta Pesona Building

Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 17

Jakarta 10110

Tel. +62 21 383 8167

Fax. +62 21 384 9715

mailto: emarketing@my-indonesia.info

More accurately, if you wish to COMPLAIN in the hopes that something can be done, do so!

I was most troubled by the account of a person with two point and shoot cameras being hassled, as well a the theft of chocolate. But, frankly, not sure how to complain about that, other than to point them at this thread and saying, "To whom it may concern, after reading this account of Customs antics in Bali, I have decided to take my tourism elsewhere. I hope that in the future, the problem is fixed and I will not be seeing these incidents being repeated."

The thing is, this is just in the culture. You cant change it. I just wish it was in some way a bit more predictable and/or consistent. We're spending major amounts of money to visit Indonesia, and it really sucks if you dont know what this weeks shakedown attempt is going to be. If they want $100 from me to leave me alone, they can have it. Just let me do my thing and dont threaten to take that away on a whim.

If anyone can recommend a service in Bali I can hire that will preempt all this and make sure the proper donations have been made on arrival id love to know.

We all know why it's happening more often now. People are travelling less and cost of fuel has increased thus living has increased. It pays to know the rules and stand firm. I'm going down to the Indonesian Embassy in July to talk to the ambassador about this and also get a definitive interpretation of import regulations in writing.

I've also spoken with several ops about doing something about this at the local level, perhaps having someone circumvent the system. I do think the local operations should be active in this if they want to protect their market.

I use to have a guy do that for me all the time but I don't go to that resort anymore.

Hi Folks,

Looks like I started a real can of worms here. I actually hadn't looked at this thread since I went off to Sangalaki with one body and thankfully it didn't flood.

As an update, I did get the 2 held camera bodies back without too much teeth pulling. No outlay of cash required. Only a little more gnashing of teeth, etc. One Customs guy made a half-hearted attempt to get money but had too many superiors around. The guy in the picture actually retrieved the body for me. The guy who escorted me to departures (to ensure I didn't actually go and sell them in the parking lot!) apologized to me and said he knew I was just there to dive and take pictures and didn't know why his fellow officers did this to tourists. He was my candidate for immediate promotion.

I have been back in and out of Bali without incident with the same gear.

By the way, there is a back door to this for them. If your equipment or deposit isn't claimed after 30 days from the day it is left with Customs, they also get to keep it.

The biggest mistakes I probably made were:

1) Being alone. When I came back in again a month later I was with people.

2) Coming in the day before a huge temple ceremony. These ceremonies cost Balinese people a lot and my guess is apparently I was targeted to help pay.

3) Argue - Had I been nice, it still would have cost me something I am sure, but I probably would have walked out with cameras. However, I flat out told them I wouldn't pay.

The "new law" or "rule" they interpret is something that roughly asks if you are bringing back more than $250 in goods purchased overseas. This question at the top of the Customs entry form is cleary intended for returning Indonesian residents. Every tourist coming in has $250 worth of goods prchased overseas. They should be taking everyone's luggage and letting you into Bali with jeans and a T-shirt. However, this question is being manipulated to fit their agenda and extort money.

It would be very helpful to get a proper interpretation so visitors know where they stand.

Allowing an en carte form would alleviate all of this as well as this form confirms what you bring in and you just have to bring it back out. But then they couldn't extort.

I have been going to Bali since 1984. I have written/photographed four books about the diving there including the first guide book in 1985. I have explored virtually every nook and cranny of the island above and below. I was part of a group of a dozen volunteer photographers from all over the world who came to the island after the bombing and shot for two weeks to produce "Bali, Paradise Rediscovered". The proceeds from the book sales went to the bombing victims and the book's intent was to let the world know Bali is a great place to visit and too help those poor people get their tourists back (still on sale at Periplus, btw). That bomb hurt virtually everyone on that island.

Some of my best friends in this world are Balinese, Indonesian and ex-pat and they live in Bali. They have businesses, families and homes there. I want to see them prosperous and succeed. I own a large gift shop on Guam. I have many suppliers in Bali. Some I have dealt with for 20 years or more. I want them to do well.

Bali is a truly a great place. Even if you don't dive, the people, land and culture is like nowhere else. There's an amazing energy there that's hard to describe. I've already been there twice this year and I've probably been there 50 times in my life at least.

I posted this alert not to discourage people from coming to Bali. Its a great place.

Ironically, this Customs shake down happened to me during the "2008 Year of Indonesian Tourism" and on the starting day of the Bali anti-corruption conference.

But I do hope this alert sparks forum members and their friends traveling to Indo to speak with local operators about this. Many operators don't want to chance losing their businesses and don't rock the boat. But if its a real problem (and I think it is) , I am sure they will react in some way to get their customers and customers' dive gear in without incident.

No one wants to spend thousands of dollars to fly around the world for the vacation of a lifetime and have some jerk at Customs turn it into a tenuous situation by taking your back-up gear or travelling cash. There seems to be some perception that tourists are made of money, which we know is not the case. The writer above is correct. An incident like mine is enough to make people go where they won't get shaken down next time they consider a vacation destination. This is definitely a serious problem that in the long run can definitely affect Bali's tourism and economy.

Indonesian and Bali's tourism people speak and read great English. If you've had a problem write to them, call them, call their US counterpart or the rep in your country. Get the offending Customs officer's name and photo if you can. The name is easy. Its on their shirt. Drew posted this Indo Tourism address earlier in this thread:

Ministry Of Culture And Tourism, Republic Of Indonesia

Sapta Pesona Building

Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 17

Jakarta 10110

Tel. +62 21 383 8167

Fax. +62 21 384 9715

mailto: emarketing@my-indonesia.info

Also, if anyone knows how to contact and complain to the head of Indo or Bali Customs, please post it here. It may not do much good, but you never know.

We all know they have us by the cajones. We come to Bali to dive and take photos and they know that too. Its sad that these crooks are the first ambassadors that Indonesia has to offer to its tourists.

Maybe enough complaints will get this under control or divert them to taxing surf boards!!!

Bali is a superb place. Get past these jerks and enjoy the island. It is really worth a visit.

Best,

Tim of the Deep

PS,

We all know know Mike can take great photos but he really can't drive. Its OK, Mike, I'm no good on land either.

Timbo