Indonesia Boosts Customs Enforcement with Artificial Intelligence, Eyes March Rollout
Indonesia is rapidly deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to combat price manipulation and enhance revenue collection at its ports, with a full operational rollout anticipated by March 2026. The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance, aims to modernize Customs and Excise procedures and curtail longstanding issues of underreporting and illicit financial practices.
Presidential Briefing Highlights Tech-Driven Reforms
The progress of these reforms was recently reported to President Prabowo Subianto by Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa during a closed-door meeting in Hambalang, West Java. According to a statement released Monday, December 15, 2025, the government is aggressively expanding the use of technology, particularly AI, within the Customs and Excise directorate.
AI-Powered Scanners Target Price Discrepancies
Currently, AI-powered scanners are operational at the bustling Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta. The system’s core function is to automatically compare declared import prices against real-time marketplace data. This direct comparison is designed to identify and flag discrepancies indicative of price underreporting – a common tactic used to evade taxes and duties.
“The AI directly detects how much the price is. We automatically check the prices on the real time marketplace,” a senior official stated. “Later in those areas we will take them to the center for price comparisons.”
The implementation seeks to eliminate regional discretion in price assessments, preventing opportunities for corruption and ensuring consistent valuation across all ports. “So the regions can no longer determine what the price should be. So they can’t play. It will reduce games there,” the official added.
Rapid Development and Recognition
The speed of development has been remarkable. The AI system at Tanjung Priok Port was reportedly built in just two weeks by in-house IT specialists, who also recently secured first place in a software creation competition hosted by the Corruption Eradication Commission. This internal expertise underscores a growing commitment to technological innovation within the agency.
Expansion Plans and Agency Oversight
The government plans to install these advanced scanners in all areas with significant economic activity. Currently, eight scanners are in operation at Tanjung Priok, with plans to increase that number to nine. The Ministry of Finance is taking a firm stance on the need for improvement within Customs and Excise, with a warning of potential agency restructuring – even freezing operations – if progress stalls.
“I hope that by March all the AI will be running, it will be perfect,” the official said. “Later I will take it to the port, to the monitoring center at Customs.”
This aggressive timeline and stringent oversight signal a decisive effort to modernize Indonesia’s customs procedures and bolster its revenue base through the power of artificial intelligence.
