The following timber importation information and procedure for humanitarian actors in Indonesia were recently communicated to UNJLC by BRR:

• Timber importation for rehabilitation and reconstruction in Aceh and Nias is permitted without customs duties.  (Effective since 15 September 2005)
  
• Timber is not a restricted item.
• There is no limit on the quantity imported.
• There is no restriction on the use of preservatives.
• Wood is a quarantine good, and thus requires additional considerations:

a.     Timber must be come into ports of entry approved by the Ministry of Agriculture:

Ports:   Tanjung Priok I, II, and III - Jakarta    Airports:    Soekarno-Hatta - Jakarta

               Belawan - Medan                                             Polonia - Medan     

b.     Mandatory quarantine check takes 1-2 days.  If any pests are found in the wood, fumigation is required before being released from the port.  Quarantine price is IDR 1000 per m3.  [Quarantine requirement based on UU NO.16 / 1992 regarding Animal, fish and plant Quarantine.  Government Fee (Non Tax) based on PP N0.7 / 2004*].  **Companies which provide fumigation services are listed in a separate file.

c.      A Phytosanitary Certificate is required from the country of origin.

d.     The importer must present a letter to the port Quarantine Officer announcing the arrival of the timber.

Import Procedure

1.        Importer must approach BRR in Banda Aceh (BRR Officer Agus Kuncoro - see contact information below) for a Letter of Recommendation stating that the timber will be utilized for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Aceh.

2.        Importer must compose a letter to the Ministry of Finance requesting tax free status for the imported timber.

3.        Before arrival of the shipment, the Quarantine Officer at the port Customs Office must be informed of the shipment by letter.

4.        Upon arrival of the timber shipment, the importer must present to the port Customs Office:

• BRR Letter of Recommendation;
• Letter of request for tax-free status to the Ministry of Finance;
• Performa Invoice;
• Packing List;
• Bill of Lading;
• Manifest;
• Phytosanitary Certificate;
• 'Gift Certificate' - if the timber is being imported as a humanitarian gift/donation, this is a statement/declaration from the importing organization certifying such.

5.        The timber will be released and the port Customs Office will forward the request for tax-free status to the Ministry of Finance.  (The importer does not need to wait for a response from the Ministry of Finance regarding tax-free status before the timber is released.)

Contacts:  Agus Kuncoro, BRR akuncoro2003@yahoo.com 0812 857 0177

                  Cut Yusra, UNJLC, cut.yusra@wfp.org 0852 30056979

This procedure is subject to change.  Please be advised that UNJLC will do all possible to ensure published import procedures are accurate and remain current.