Jakarta – Indonesian authorities intercepted nearly 100 tons of frozen Pacific mackerel attempting to enter the country without proper authorization, a move officials say potentially saved the government billions in lost revenue. The Directorate of Fisheries Resource Supervision at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries made the seizure at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta.
Smuggling Attempt Uncovered at Indonesian Port
A shipment of nearly 100 tons of frozen mackerel was intercepted after authorities received reports of unauthorized imports.
- Nearly 99.972 tons of frozen Pacific mackerel were seized at Tanjung Priok Port.
- The importer,PT CBJ,allegedly misinterpreted import quotas.
- The government estimates a potential loss of Rp4.48 trillion was averted.
- PT CBJ faces a Rp1 billion fine, and the cargo might potentially be destroyed.
Halid K. Jusuf, Director of Fisheries Resource Supervision, stated the action followed public reports regarding the alleged import of fisheries commodities without the necessary approvals. According to Jusuf, the mackerel arrived in four containers on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Q: What prompted the seizure of the mackerel shipment?
A: Authorities acted on public reports indicating the import of fisheries commodities lacked proper authorization, leading to the interception of nearly 100 tons of frozen Pacific mackerel at tanjung Priok Port.
The shipment was reportedly ordered near the end of 2025, Jusuf explained during a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The importer has been identified as PT CBJ, a wholesale fisheries trade company based at the Penjaringan fishery port in North Jakarta.
Following the confiscation, the Directorate General of Fisheries Resource Supervision questioned the director and commissioner of PT CBJ, and subsequently issued an inspection report.
PT CBJ had been granted import approval for 100 tons in January 2025, followed by an additional 50-ton quota in June 2025 by the Ministry of Trade, bringing the total approved import amount to 150 tons for the year. The company had fully utilized this quota,importing 100 tons in February and 50 tons in July.
Jusuf also indicated that the government’s intervention potentially prevented Rp4.48 trillion in losses, encompassing VAT revenue and the potential disruption to fish market prices caused by the smuggling operation.
Regarding penalties, jusuf clarified that administrative sanctions will be applied rather than criminal charges. PT CBJ is facing a Rp1 billion fine, and the Indonesian Quarantine Agency has been advised to either destroy the smuggled cargo or return it to it’s point of origin.
