Indonesian Tourist Tax

[Markit]

Can anyone explain to me what the feck is going on with this oft reported and misunderstood 150k tourist tax?

When I say "explain" I mean presume I understand that when you want to cash up a tax from tourists entering into your country you charge them at the point of entry - Indonesia apparently isn't doing that (to everyone).

BUT: they are checking at the entrance AND EXIT from some of the many tourist attractions

AND: They are organizing police to do spot checks for people that don't have or haven't paid. Meaning some form of "proof" must be carted around always.

Does anyone know what the "punishment" is for non-compliance?

Call me "Mr. Simple" but didn't they have a system a few years ago that charged everyone that left the county 150k at the border? Maybe that was too easy?

I really can't think of a more complicated or expensive way of doing this. I mean don't the police have other things to do like checking hotel rooms for non-married couples or racing around looking for fly-tippers filling up the rivers and creeks with plastic rubbish?

 

[Shadrach]

Yea

Can anyone explain to me what the feck is going on with this oft reported and misunderstood 150k tourist tax?

When I say "explain" I mean presume I understand that when you want to cash up a tax from tourists entering into your country you charge them at the point of entry - Indonesia apparently isn't doing that (to everyone).

BUT: they are checking at the entrance AND EXIT from some of the many tourist attractions

AND: They are organizing police to do spot checks for people that don't have or haven't paid. Meaning some form of "proof" must be carted around always.

Does anyone know what the "punishment" is for non-compliance?

Call me "Mr. Simple" but didn't they have a system a few years ago that charged everyone that left the county 150k at the border? Maybe that was too easy?

I really can't think of a more complicated or expensive way of doing this. I mean don't the police have other things to do like checking hotel rooms for non-married couples or racing around looking for fly-tippers filling up the rivers and creeks with plastic rubbish?

I remember that exit tax. It's probably much higher now. What kind of proof are new people supposed to have. I'm sure by now there is someone that can comment on this? As checking to see if people are married or not seems ridiculous to me. Most of the tourist traveling together these days are probably not married! As for people filling up the rivers and streams and the ocean full of rubbish. Do you think the cops are going to bust their own families that are the ones doing this? I don't think so!

 

[AuroraB]

Can anyone explain to me what the feck is going on with this oft reported and misunderstood 150k tourist tax?

When I say "explain" I mean presume I understand that when you want to cash up a tax from tourists entering into your country you charge them at the point of entry - Indonesia apparently isn't doing that (to everyone).

BUT: they are checking at the entrance AND EXIT from some of the many tourist attractions

AND: They are organizing police to do spot checks for people that don't have or haven't paid. Meaning some form of "proof" must be carted around always.

Does anyone know what the "punishment" is for non-compliance?

Call me "Mr. Simple" but didn't they have a system a few years ago that charged everyone that left the county 150k at the border? Maybe that was too easy?

I really can't think of a more complicated or expensive way of doing this. I mean don't the police have other things to do like checking hotel rooms for non-married couples or racing around looking for fly-tippers filling up the rivers and creeks with plastic rubbish?

I doubt the police is getting involved as their scope is to enforce RI laws while the tourist tax (or tourist levy) is a local regulation.

Satpol PP (social order police) might therefore be assigned this task as their scope is to enforce local regulations. Satpol PP can detain and send people to small crime court, but I doubt they will dare doing that for unpaid tourist tax. If the tourist insist on "Oh I did not know, I will pay later", not much Satpol PP can do with that.

So unless the authorities set up an effective system to net the tourist levy on arrival it will be a cat and mouse game to catch "offenders' later on. So far (it is claimed that) only 40% of tourist pay the tourist levy.

 

[AuroraB]

Yea

I remember that exit tax. It's probably much higher now.

No exit tax that I know about in Indonesia. I looked at a recent flight ticket breakdown and the only thing mentioned for Indonesia was "passenger service charge" of USD 15.

 

[britoo]

No exit tax that I know about in Indonesia. I looked at a recent flight ticket breakdown and the only thing mentioned for Indonesia was "passenger service charge" of USD 15.

I recall was (Indonesia wide I believe) revoked sometime around 2016/17 because back in the day you had to pay in IDR before you could pass into the check-in area and it was a real PIA if you didn't squirrel away the required notes and had to do a run to the ATM machine.

..... in fact a quick google confirms you still pay it! It's just been rolled into the airfare since 2015 (https://balistoreluggage.com/blog/indonesia-to-include-airport-departure-tax-update/)

Not sure how this squares with your ticket breakdown but perhaps the tax has become the PSC.

 

[Balifrog]

A complete farce.....

https://thebalisun.com/officials-acknowledge-flaws-in-bali-tourism-tax-system/

I recall was (Indonesia wide I believe) revoked sometime around 2016/17 as I recall because back in the day you had to pay as in IDR before you could pass into the check-in area and it was a real PIA if you didn't squirrel away the required notes and had to do a run to the ATM machine.

..... in fact a quick google confirms you still pay it! It's just been rolled into the airfare since 2015 (https://balistoreluggage.com/blog/indonesia-to-include-airport-departure-tax-update/)

Not sure how this squares with your ticket breakdown but perhaps the tax has become the PSC.

Same existed in Thailand early 90's. You had to buy an "exit fee" ticket at a specific airport counter before heading to check in. And it had to be paid in THB.
A complete mess, as many tourists didn't had any THB with them anymore just before leaving. BTW, this created a lucrative "on the spot" money exchange business for smart locals.
Later it was rolled into the airfare.
But not an easy transition as all airlines and travel agencies worldwide have to "integrate" it in their system, and then a system need to be put in place to transfer this "tax" to the Thai authoriities...

 

[Shadrach]

Yea I remember the old departure tax of IDR 200,000 to leave. I never did like having to pay to leave after spending all my money while I was here. But those were the good old days when a room cost $2 or IDR 16,000 a night.

 

[AuroraB]

I recall was (Indonesia wide I believe) revoked sometime around 2016/17 because back in the day you had to pay in IDR before you could pass into the check-in area and it was a real PIA if you didn't squirrel away the required notes and had to do a run to the ATM machine.

..... in fact a quick google confirms you still pay it! It's just been rolled into the airfare since 2015 (https://balistoreluggage.com/blog/indonesia-to-include-airport-departure-tax-update/)

Not sure how this squares with your ticket breakdown but perhaps the tax has become the PSC.

According to airport operator:

"The Passenger Service Charge (PSC) is a charge levied on passengers for passing through an airport. The charge is generally imposed for the use of the airport and is typically included in the price of an airline ticket."

In other words just a fee for "using" airport facilities with I Gusti Ngurah Rai airport charging the highest fee in Indonesia.

https://ap1.co.id/en/information/tarif-jasa-kebandarudaraan/passenger-service-charge

There used to be an "fiscal exit tax" some years ago to pay at check-in, but cancelled in 2011.

 

[pantaiema]

Does anyone know what the "punishment" is for non-compliance?

Call me "Mr. Simple" but didn't they have a system a few years ago that charged everyone that left the county 150k at the border? Maybe that was too easy?

I really can't think of a more complicated or expensive way of doing this. I mean don't the police have other things to do like checking hotel rooms for non-married couples or racing around looking for fly-tippers filling up the rivers and creeks with plastic rubbish?

CONSEQUENCES
For Foreign Tourists who don't Pay Foreign Tourist Levy
1. Travel Restriction: Foreign tourists who don't pay the required tourist levy will be restricted from visiting Bali.
2. Administrative Sanctions: In addition to travel restrictions, non-compliance may result in the following administrative actions:
a. Verbal reprimand, documented in the Love Bali Application.
b. Formal written reprimand.

Negara said, “At the airport, there are no payment counters that intensively charge fees. So far the payment system uses an application, and the existing offers can only attract a few foreign tourists so we need to add more counters [at the airport].”
https://thebalisun.com/officials-acknowledge-flaws-in-bali-tourism-tax-system/
Why there are no payment counter at the airport ? is it because they do not get full endorsement from the central government ? Immigration officers are hired by the central government, not under the control of the Balinese provincial government.

"With this in mind, he has deployed the Tourism Satpol Police Units to conduct spot checks on tourists across Bali in the coming weeks."
Tourism Satpol policemen are not the Indonesian Police Force. They are civilian levy enforcers hired by the local Tourism department. They have no power to arrest people. All they can do is the handle the person to the police. The Indonesian Police get their salary from the central government, not by Balinese provincial government.

If they can not even ask the immigration Officers, border control to collect the levy, in the immigration entry point, let alone asking the Indonesian Police to get involved.

The main issue here is that, other Indonesian provincial government might follow suit. It is an easy money for them and less accountability as they collect it by themselves. There are many evidences in the past, the local money collected directly from the people, ended up in the pocket of individuals. Just refer to the money collected directly by the headmasters of the state schools. state universities. With this local tourism levy the money might be ending up in the pocket of Balinese authority and only a few will end up to the real development of the region.

 

[Balifrog]

CONSEQUENCES
For Foreign Tourists who don't Pay Foreign Tourist Levy
1. Travel Restriction: Foreign tourists who don't pay the required tourist levy will be restricted from visiting Bali.
2. Administrative Sanctions: In addition to travel restrictions, non-compliance may result in the following administrative actions:
a. Verbal reprimand, documented in the Love Bali Application.
b. Formal written reprimand.

Negara said, “At the airport, there are no payment counters that intensively charge fees. So far the payment system uses an application, and the existing offers can only attract a few foreign tourists so we need to add more counters [at the airport].”
https://thebalisun.com/officials-acknowledge-flaws-in-bali-tourism-tax-system/
Why is it because the do not get full endorsement from the central government ? Immigration officers are hired by the central government, not under the control of the Balinese provincial government.

"With this in mind, he has deployed the Tourism Satpol Police Units to conduct spot checks on tourists across Bali in the coming weeks."
Tourism Satpol police is not the Indonesian Police. The Indonesian Police get their salary from the central government, not by Balinese provincial government.

If they can not even ask the immigration Officers, border control to collect the levy, in the immigration entry point, let alone asking the Indonesian Police to get involved.

The main issue here is that, other Indonesian provincial government might follow suit. It is an easy money for them and less accountability as they collect it by themselves. There are evidences in the past, the money might be ending up in the pocket of Balinese authority and only a few will end up to the real development of the region.

Doing everything to make Bali more welcoming and positive for tourists......

 

[Shadrach]

Doing everything to make Bali more welcoming and positive for tourists......

I am confused about this? If they wanted an entrance fee to come here, then it seems to me it should have been charged at the entry counter at the airport, ferry terminals, etc. it's the same as having your passport stamped at time of entry. If a person entering doesn't pay, then they can't enter the country or island in this case. So now they will have random police stops for documentation? All of this doesn't compute to my common sense way of thinking? Ah! but this kind of action is also the part of the beauty of Indonesia! kaki de Kapala, Kepala de Kaki !

 

[pantaiema]

I am confused about this? If they wanted an entrance fee to come here, then it seems to me it should have been charged at the entry counter at the airport, ferry terminals, etc. it's the same as having your passport stamped at time of entry. If a person entering doesn't pay, then they can't enter the country or island in this case. So now they will have random police stops for documentation? All of this doesn't compute to my common sense way of thinking? Ah! but this kind of action is also the part of the beauty of Indonesia! kaki de Kapala, Kepala de Kaki !

I reckon, because they do not get full endorsement by the central government, other departments ? I explain the rational of it in my post #9. Immigration, border Control are hired by the central government and they might just do not want to get involved without any benefit to their department. Now the Balinese local government just want to add more work and responsibility to them.

Based on the article in the newspaper they will be using Tourism Satpol Police. They are not from police force. Even they catch offenders, this type of civilian levy enforcers have no power to arrest people. But they definitely could restrict people access to services under their control or handing people to the police.

 

[Balifrog]

I reckon, because they do not get full endorsement by the central government, other departments ? I explain the rational of it in my post #9. Immigration, border Control are hired by the central government and they might just do not want to get involved without any benefit to their department. Now the Balinese local government just want to add more work and responsibility to them.

Based on the article in the newspaper they will be using Tourism Satpol Police. They are not from police force. Even they catch offenders, this type of civilian levy enforcers have no power to arrest people. But they definitely could restrict people access to services under their control or handing people to the police.

Spot on for both paragraphs !

 

[Shadrach]

Spot on for both paragraphs !

This is so confusing? What you saying is this a rule from just the Bali government and the central government that employs the immigration/ border patrol, and the Bali government doesn't have control over visa stamps or coming or going of tourist at the airport or ferry terminals? So they hire a local Satpol police to enforce a rule that is not enforced at the airport or terminals. I don't understand any of this?

 

[Balifrog]

This is so confusing? What you saying is this a rule from just the Bali government and the central government that employs the immigration/ border patrol, and the Bali government doesn't have control over visa stamps or coming or going of tourist at the airport or ferry terminals? So they hire a local Satpol police to enforce a rule that is not enforced at the airport or terminals. I don't understand any of this?

For what I understand this is a local regulation, so a national government body like immigration will not enforce it.
The local authorities have set up a website where you can pay, and there are also a few booths in the airport where you can pay.
But if you choice not to pay (intentionnally or by ignorance) it's not the immicragion's job to check that.
Wonder how long this will last......

 

[Shadrach]

T

For what I understand this is a local regulation, so a national government body like immigration will not enforce it.
The local authorities have set up a website where you can pay, and there are also a few booths in the airport where you can pay.
But if you choice not to pay (intentionnally or by ignorance) it's not the immicragion's job to check that.
Wonder how long this will last......

This has got to be one of the craziest ides I've heard of! If immigration doesn't force people to pay on entry, then it doesn't matter to leave without one, so how many people are just going to find a toll booth and pay? I can't see how this ever going to last! Talking about pandemonium!

 

[Balifrog]

T

This has got to be one of the craziest ides I've heard of! If immigration doesn't force people to pay on entry, then it doesn't matter to leave without one, so how many people are just going to find a toll booth and pay? I can't see how this ever going to last! Talking about pandemonium!

Well, I understand Immigration's point.
Besides the legal aspect, National entity / local regulation, if they have to check this, explain to people, redirect them to the payment counter etc.... it will slow down their passport control process. Now they are already being critized for slow process, they are not going to add something that will slow it down even more.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Markit]

This is so confusing? What you saying is this a rule from just the Bali government and the central government that employs the immigration/ border patrol, and the Bali government doesn't have control over visa stamps or coming or going of tourist at the airport or ferry terminals? So they hire a local Satpol police to enforce a rule that is not enforced at the airport or terminals. I don't understand any of this?

finally we agree on something

 

[myabrownn]

Can anyone explain to me what the feck is going on with this oft reported and misunderstood 150k tourist tax?

When I say "explain" I mean presume I understand that when you want to cash up a tax from tourists entering into your country you charge them at the point of entry - Indonesia apparently isn't doing that (to everyone).

BUT: they are checking at the entrance AND EXIT from some of the many tourist attractions

AND: They are organizing police to do spot checks for people that don't have or haven't paid. Meaning some form of "proof" must be carted around always.

Does anyone know what the "punishment" is for non-compliance?

Call me "Mr. Simple" but didn't they have a system a few years ago that charged everyone that left the county 150k at the border? Maybe that was too easy?

I really can't think of a more complicated or expensive way of doing this. I mean don't the police have other things to do like checking hotel rooms for non-married couples or racing around looking for fly-tippers filling up the rivers and creeks with plastic rubbish?

It seems like Indonesia's approach to tourist taxes is a bit confusing. From what I've gathered, they're not enforcing a direct tax at the point of entry like some other countries do.

Instead, they're monitoring tourist attractions and conducting spot checks for proof of payment or compliance upon exit. I haven't heard about specific punishments for non-compliance, but it does sound like a hassle for travelers to keep track of.

Personally, I prefer straightforward systems like the one you mentioned they had before. Speaking of travel, have you ever considered exploring evening desert safari dubai? It's a unique experience that contrasts with the complexities of some travel regulations.

 

[Shadrach]

I used to love riding a motorbike up above Ubud, at night until we came to the rice fields. Those were the days when life was slower, and there was less traffic, and not so many villas. When we got to the rice fields, the sky was alive with fireflies, blinking like stars everywhere. All the young couples of Ubud, parked along the side of the road, and kissed and told each other how much they loved each other, without everyone in the village knowing! It was a simple time that I loved and will always remember!

I guess those were my Desert Safari Evenings, compliments of Bali Bagus Ubud!