gents,
to increase sailing and cruising in the fabulous archipelago of indonesia, what will boost all economic activity associated, we need some understandable politic for foreigner sailors..
after the cruising permit, $$ visa in entrance and so, some new regulations regarding custom fee pop-up now (we have very condusing information regarding this new warrantie deposit, 15 or 50% of the vessel value to be paid??? ..), is someone who have clear picture about this new "taxe" ??
cheer's

Dear Bertrand,
It is an interesting question that you post. I also heard about those two law, but I was not able to see it in practice. It is actually two different law for two different porpoise.

Their is a custom law in Europe and USA, that require to pay 50 % of the vessel value if it stay more than 6 month in those water with a different flag. I personally know a well-known Russian vessel who cross this difficulty in France, where he stay more than 6 month. I understand that this law was made to protect local boatbuilding industry, and to discourage people to import foreign vessel. Also it seam logic to me that Indonesian follow occidental law, to protect their own industry????? However it is an international question that should not concerne only Indonesia.

I heard about the law that required a deposit of 5 % of the vessel value to cruise in Indonesian water, and suppose to be giving back on arrival harbor when the vessel live. I suppose that Indonesian government vote this law to support local cruising industry. In this case I do not know any similar example on the world, and it clearly show a misunderstanding of Indonesian government for cruising industry.

Most of the people who which to cruise in Indonesia, do it to discover this incredibly nice place, and only a very little percentage of them do business from that. Also most of the traveler will not pay 5% of their vessel value, on a country with very high level of corruption with no guaranties to get the money back. Usually if you ask them to pay 5 % of their vessel value, they will just skip Indonesia and visit other place like Thailand, Maldives, where they contribute at a fast growing development by allowing to build marina, and other fruitful industry.

Cruising industry is very important for Indonesia, and that kind of law may just contribute to stop the development of a country that has huge potential compare to other area of the world. Indonesian Wake up!!!!!!
regard