A total of 149 students from the Department of Fiscal Administration, Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (DIAF FIA UI) conducted a field visit to the Main Service Office of Type A Tanjung Priok Customs and Excise in Jakarta. This visit was part of the Customs and Excise course at DIAF FIA UI. The primary objective was to provide first-hand insights into Indonesia’s customs system and the role of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) in monitoring the flow of goods across the country’s borders.

The event began with a warm welcome from Ardhani Naryasti, the Head of the Compliance Guidance and Information Services Division at Tanjung Priok Customs Office. She expressed her appreciation to Universitas Indonesia for organizing this educational initiative, which introduces students to the vital functions of the Customs Office. Dr. Inayati, M.Si., from DIAF, also delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of field studies in providing practical insights for students of fiscal administration.

The visit included two main activities. First, students attended a lecture session held in the Synergy Hall on the 5th floor of the Customs Office. During this session, Ahmad Yosep Setiaji, S.Mn., and Haposan Indra Wesly Pasaribu, S.ST., Ak., ME, MIDS., presented in-depth material on Indonesia’s customs and excise system. The speakers encouraged the students to become Customs Ambassadors, raising public awareness about customs obligations and the critical role of Customs in protecting public interests.

An engaging moment occurred during the Q&A session, when a student raised a question about DJBC’s role in the sugar import case involving former Minister of Trade Thomas Trikasih Lembong. Haposan clarified that DJBC’s border supervision operates under regulations from other agencies, such as the Ministry of Trade. He explained, “DJBC examines documents and the physical inspection of goods according to regulations, but the import licensing itself falls under the jurisdiction of other relevant agencies.”

Enna Budiman, a DIAF lecturer, added an academic perspective, stating, “In cases like these, DJBC acts as the field executor. As long as the documents and legal requirements are complete, DJBC simply processes the import.”

Ismail Khozen, another DIAF lecturer present at the visit, also emphasized that DJBC’s primary role is to monitor the flow of goods at the borders. “It is crucial to understand that DJBC is not responsible for issuing import permits. Its main duty is to ensure customs compliance,” he explained.

The Q&A session could have continued longer if the MC had not concluded it. Afterward, students participated in a guided tour around the Temporary Storage Facility (TPS) at Tanjung Priok. The tour included visits to key operational areas such as container yards, docks, container scanners, and physical inspection sites.

The TPS area tour marked the final activity of the visit. Through this experience, students gained a deeper understanding of customs practices and the crucial role of DJBC in regulating import processes in Indonesia.