Customs officers intercepted the undeclared cash at Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal on April 19

A Batam resident was fined Rp21.9 million after attempting to re-enter Indonesia from Singapore with SGD 17,000 in undeclared cash, violating customs regulations at Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal.

The incident occurred on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at around 4:30 PM when Customs officers were conducting routine inspections on passengers arriving aboard the MV Horizon 7 from Singapore. A 36-year-old Indonesian woman, identified only as L, was flagged during X-ray scanning and profiling procedures for carrying a suspiciously large amount of currency.

SGD 17,000 Found, No Declaration Made

Upon further inspection, authorities discovered that the woman had SGD 17,000 (approximately Rp213.8 million based on the Ministry of Finance’s conversion at the time) in her possession. Under Ministerial Regulation No. 100/2018, all individuals carrying more than Rp100 million in cash or equivalent currency are required to report it to Indonesian Customs.

Fine Imposed Under PMK Guidelines

As no declaration was made, Customs imposed an administrative sanction of 10% of the total undeclared cash, resulting in a fine of Rp21.9 million. According to Evi Octavia, Head of Customs Compliance and Public Information for Batam Customs, the penalty was issued in accordance with Indonesia’s financial disclosure rules to prevent money laundering and illicit activities.

Miscommunication at Terminal Prompted Clarification

Evi acknowledged that a brief misunderstanding occurred between the passenger and officials during the inspection process. To avoid disrupting other ferry passengers, the woman and her belongings were taken to the Batam Customs Office for further handling. “She has acknowledged her mistake and agreed to comply with the payment,” said Evi in a statement issued April 22.

Passenger Was Unaware of Reporting Rule

Tono, the passenger’s son, later clarified that they were unaware of the reporting requirement. The cash had been prepared for medical treatment in Singapore, but due to a cancelled doctor’s appointment, they returned with the full amount. “This was our first international trip with large cash, and we didn’t know about the rule,” he explained, urging authorities to communicate such regulations more clearly to the public.

In response to public feedback, Batam Customs issued a formal apology to the passenger and has pledged to use the incident as a case study to improve frontline communication and empathy. Officers involved in the case have received guidance on how to ensure enforcement is conducted with greater sensitivity in the future.

Evi also stressed that public education campaigns on customs regulations would be intensified to prevent similar incidents. “We appreciate the cooperation shown and hope this raises greater awareness about cross-border currency declaration requirements,” she said. In 2024, the agency also recorded thousands of enforcement actions for undeclared goods and currency across major entry points.

This case underscores the importance of clear communication and compliance with cross-border financial regulations. While penalties are enforced to protect national interests, the need for more public education and humane enforcement practices remains central to ensuring smooth travel experiences in Batam and across Indonesia’s ports of entry.

Sources: Batam News (2025), Indonesia Inside (2025)

Keywords: Harbour Bay Incident, Customs Declaration Batam, Undeclared Foreign Currency, Batam Woman Fined, Singapore Ferry