The Role of State Administrative Law in Customs Cases of Rice and Salt Import Smuggling (August–September 2026)

Abstract

This study examines the role of State Administrative Law in addressing alleged rice and salt import smuggling incidents in Indonesia during August–September 2026, particularly regarding customs procedures, the exercise of authority by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, potential harm to public interests, and the limits of administrative discretion. This research employs normative legal research using statutory and conceptual approaches. Primary legal materials include Law No. 10 of 1995 on Customs, as amended by Law No. 17 of 2006, Law No. 30 of 2014 on Government Administration, and regulations governing rice and salt imports. Secondary legal materials consist of administrative law literature, scholarly journal articles, and official government documents. The findings indicate that discrepancies between customs declarations and the actual contents of imported goods constitute indications of misdeclaration that must be examined and legally established under applicable customs regulations. Such practices may adversely affect state revenue, domestic rice farmers, salt producers, compliant importers, and consumers. From the perspective of State Administrative Law, physical inspections, laboratory testing, and the securing of goods constitute exercises of statutory customs supervision authority and should not automatically be classified as administrative discretion. Discretion is relevant only when government officials encounter specific circumstances that satisfy the statutory requirements under Government Administration Law.