a friend just came back from medan and reported a lot of hassle from customs on the way out. it seems that you have to declare all the contents of your golf set when you arrive and this will be checked upon departure.never had this problems beforeas i usually declare just one set without detailing it's contents.anybody can clarify this so called new ruling.will be coming to medan this thursday beore leaving for jakarta.

Not sure about Golf sets...but last year when i was there - i felt like a real sucker. I am very sure i had my departure card with me in my passport...and i think the immigration officer just chucked it out into the bin. So i stood there staring blank, and he stood there staring into the sky for about 10 mins. Then he asked if I needed help...all i need is to pay him.

Also, when we were trying to get our exit tax paid, there were many many uniformed people harrassing us for some money.

It just left me with horror - that men in uniform in Medan is really nothing but a bunch of corrupts.... there is no system in Medan airport = so it is just plain bad luck if you are harrassed at their whims and fancy

hi talib...

that is why i never end up playing golf in medan... although many of my golfer friends played there... there are no such things as declaring individual golf sticks in indonesia, i was told - no new regulations that we know of... as audrey has indicated, all they want is some "coffee" money... it is downright simple and straight forward...

regards.chia

You and Audrey r right.bad experience last year in february.4 of us left kl for medan.however, my seat was omitted at the last minute and had to take a flight via penang.ask my friends to take my golf bag with them as their flight was direct to medan.normal thing to do BUT not medan!when i arrived 1 hour later, my friend was waiting 4 me at the arrival lounge.both of us were hauled to the customs room and told that we were 'importing' one set to sell without declaring.i told them that the particular set was mine as i asked my friend to carry for me since my original flight with them had my seat taken and given away.since my friend was 'technically carrying 2 sets', we were told that we had to pay an import duty.rediculous but about usd200 settled the matter.

all golfers beware.will update those going to medan as i will be there on thursday!!

Well - i am hoping some Indonesian officials will read this forum posting - and be really embarrassed. I think USD200 would have blown my top!!!

hi mutalib..

one option is to leave the golf set with the airport customs and collect it on your way back home... but in places such as medan, unfortunately you may not find your set there anymore when you go back...

regards.chia

dear chiah,
will revert back my experiece as lvg tmw.audrey is totally right as usd200 is way too much...but what choice do you have against a totally corrupt group of people.negotiation and appeals don't work as they r just looking at the dollar sign.it is always a fear that grips you when u arrive at the terminal building in medan.the immigration than followed by the customs guys all looking for an opportunity for you to make the slightest mistake.the people are very friendly,overall,and i like the easy atmosphere in the hotel and the golf courses.but travelling has it's up and downs.like someone said...sometimes you are the dog...sometimes you are the hydrant!!cheerio!!

just back from medan and promised to post the results.no hassle this time.make sure you declare your golf bag and it's contents at the back of the customs form.they will keep it and ask your departure date.when you depart, they will refer back to your declaration and inspect the golf bag contents.if it tallies, you are free to go.if not, all the best and make sure you have some spare change!

golf was beautiful,very laid back atmosphere...on friday.but saturday was chaotic at the course as i think 80% were malaysians.medan is 55 minutes from here and the cheapest, what now with the rupiah at Rp2,500 to the ringgit.stayed at polonia(3 star)and the food was fabulous.try their soup buntut..great......try going to a place called 'jemadi"..fantastic tiger prawns and fish head curry...4 guys and all the prawns you can eat at rm80

will be going to bandung next time around