Those Indonesians (as well as expats living in Indonesia) who enjoy visiting places like Singapore for some quick shopping will be happy to learn that the Indonesian government decided to raise the maximum value of private goods - purchased overseas - that can be carried into Indonesia free of import duties and tax.

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From 1 January 2015 to the first week of September, Indonesia only managed to collect IDR 103.7 trillion (approx. USD $7.2 billion) in excise and customs duties revenue, or 53 percent of the full-year target (IDR 195 trillion) set in the Revised 2015 State Budget. As such, it is highly unlikely that this year’s government target will be met. Heru Pambudi, Director General of the Finance Ministry's Directorate General of Customs and Excise, said it is more likely that 95 percent of the target will be achieved, adding that the bulk of revenue comes from tobacco excise, followed by alcoholic beverages.

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