Tual Customs has provided streamlined customs services for participants of the 2026 Yacht Rally Sail to Indonesia by granting temporary import facilities for foreign recreational vessels.
The support is intended to ensure the smooth arrival of participants in the international sailing rally, which is being held in Tual City, Maluku, from July 15 to 21, 2026.
The 2026 Yacht Rally Sail to Indonesia is an international sailing tourism event involving 22 yachts carrying 75 yachters from Darwin, Australia. The Kei Islands are one of the event’s 19 stopover destinations across Indonesia.
Upon arriving in Tual, all participants are required to comply with customs, immigration, quarantine, and port authority regulations before continuing their voyage to the next destination.
To support the smooth implementation of the event, Tual Customs has provided a temporary import facility for foreign recreational vessels through the vessel declaration scheme. This scheme serves as the customs declaration used for both the temporary import and subsequent re-export of foreign recreational vessels, providing convenience for yacht owners as long as they comply with the applicable requirements.
Head of Tual Customs, Wahyu Lafrias, emphasized that the successful delivery of services to Yacht Rally participants was made possible through close cooperation between Customs and all members of the Customs, Immigration, Quarantine, and Port Authority (CIQP).
“Tual Customs is committed to providing professional customs services while carrying out optimal supervision. The synergy among CIQP agencies is the key to delivering fast, integrated, and regulation-compliant services that support safe, orderly, and competitive tourism,” he said.
Echoing the same commitment, Muhammad Halil Effendi, Head of the Internal Compliance and Public Outreach Section at Tual Customs, stated that the temporary import facility represents Customs’ support for international sailing tourism while maintaining effective oversight.
“Through the temporary import facility under the vessel declaration scheme, we provide convenience for foreign recreational vessel owners as long as they comply with the applicable regulations. This allows services to be delivered more efficiently without compromising our supervisory function,” he explained.
The simplified procedures have also been well received by participants.
One Australian yachter, Benjamin, expressed his satisfaction with the services he received.
“I really enjoyed my time in Tual. The customs, immigration, and quarantine procedures were very smooth, allowing me to arrive on the island quickly and enjoy my stay here. I hope to come back again in the future,” he said.
By providing temporary import facilities supported by integrated CIQP services, Tual Customs remains committed to delivering excellent services for international recreational vessels.
The initiative is expected to create a more comfortable sailing experience for yachters while strengthening the appeal of Indonesia’s marine tourism and encouraging economic growth for local communities in the Kei Islands.***
