Import Duties and Taxes Constrains Implementation of Green Freight in Indonesia

INDUSTRY.co.id - Bandung, Implementation of green freight in Indonesia is considered not effective, even still a few goods transport companies that have applied it.

Some actors still consider the application of green freight as something expensive because of high investment cost, so it is considered contrary to the principle of business oriented to the achievement of profit (profit).

The efficiency gained from the application of green freight in the long run can be expected to exceed the value of investments issued, so companies must make the right investment strategy to gain sustainable competitiveness.

Chairman of Supply Chain Indonesia (SCI), Setijadi said, one of the main obstacles faced by transportation business actors is the cost of replacing the fleet. The expensive price of each unit of the fleet is due to the burden of import duties (BM) and taxes (VAT, PPH, BBN, and PKB).

"Based on the analysis of Supply Chain Indonesia (SCI), the total value of import duties and taxes is approximately 52.5% of the factory price of each unit of the fleet," said Setijadi via press release in Bandung, Sunday (4/3/2018).

Said Setijadi, in addition to the new investment (replacement fleet with a more environmentally friendly), the implementation of green freight can be done through operational practices that are efficient and environmentally friendly.

"For example, eco-driving, the application of strategies, engineering, and operational efficient transportation, including the use of information technology," he explained.

In addition, he added, green freight can also be done with collaboration between actors (between transportation companies or transportation companies and manufacturers / retailers). "For example the arrangement of delivery schedules and loading-unloading of goods," said Setijadi.

According to Setijadi, in addition to business actors, the application of green freight involves many parties. For example, truck manufacturer (fleet producer), Ministry of Industry (motor vehicle design), Ministry of Transportation (type and test of periodic exhaust emission of motor vehicles), Ministry of Environment (threshold exhaust emission), Ministry of ESDM (development of material specification fuel), Pertamina (production and distribution of fuel), and Police (enforcement of regulations).

SCI formulates several recommendations for the implementation of green freight for the government and stakeholders, among others, First, the granting of incentives in the form of abolition or reduction of import duties and taxes for the purchase of environmentally friendly fleets.

Second, the provision of fleet financing procurement scheme with competitive interest (7-8%) because of the prevailing commercial interest (12-15%). Third, the increasing number and deployment of environmentally friendly refueling infrastructure and facilities.

Fourth, improvement of fuel quality and fuel conversion program. Fifth, Improving the understanding and competence of business actors regarding the concept and application of green freight. And finally, the corporate tax relief incentive for actors applying green freight.