Indonesia - Illegal Export Of Protected Hardwoods

March 2005

Certain hardwoods may not be exported from Indonesia but may be transported within Indonesia. The types of timber for which export is restricted are: Jati (Teak), Ramin (Gonystylus), Ebony, Meranti, Cendana (Sandalwood) and Merbau (Instia).

There have been reports of an increasing illegal trade in protected hardwoods and of how foreign shipowners may become unwittingly involved in such schemes; Charterers and/or shippers obtain cargo documents for shipment of such cargo within Indonesia, which allows the vessel to sail, whereupon new orders are issued for the vessel to depart Indonesia.

To avoid such problems, owners whose vessels are chartered for voyages to load logs in Indonesia should ensure:

1. Charterers/Shippers provide the Master/Owners with all cargo documents, in detail.

2. Cargo documents providing legal authority to carry the specified logs are made available and held on board during the voyage; An SKHH certificate of origin and export confirmation from the Forestry Ministry should accompany a timber cargo which does not infringe export restrictions.  

Many cases involving illegal export have been reported and the problem is ongoing. Where vessels are found to be involved in this illegal trade both vessel and cargo can be detained and detention has been known to run to many months.

In one case the North Jakarta District Court ordered that the vessel and the cargo be confiscated. Similar cases are proceeding in other Courts and there is concern that this decision might be taken as a precedent. 

With thanks to Spica Services for supplying this information.