Import & Export Management

Import License Indonesia

Every commercial import into Indonesia needs an Indonesian importer with the right importer identification, and some goods also need an import approval before they arrive. MDM helps companies check both before the first shipment.

Request an Import Assessment

Updated 19 October 2026 · Meet the MDM team

Who needs this service?

Trade Minister Regulation (Permendag) No. 16 of 2025 on import policy requires every importer to hold a business identification number (NIB) that functions as an importer identification number (API). Only an Indonesian business entity can hold one. An overseas supplier therefore needs a local company to import its goods, whether that is its own subsidiary, a distributor or a third-party importer. See the regulation.

This service supports overseas suppliers planning sales into Indonesia, foreign-owned companies setting up their first imports and local businesses adding new product lines. If you have not yet chosen the importing company, start with our importer of record assessment.

API-U or API-P: choose the importer type

An importer holds either an API-U or an API-P, never both:

API-U (general importer): for businesses that import goods to sell or transfer to others. This is the usual type for trading companies and distributors.
API-P (producer importer): for businesses that import capital goods, raw materials and auxiliary materials for their own production. Goods imported under an API-P may not be sold or transferred to others, apart from limited exceptions. These include leftover materials, capital goods after at least two years of use, and certain complementary, test-market or after-sales goods.

The API is held by the company’s head office and can be used by branches with the same business activity. Under the 2025 rules, an API-U can be changed to an API-P, and since November 2025 an API can be revoked once (Permendag No. 37 of 2025). Either step automatically cancels the company’s existing import licences, so choose the type that matches the business plan from the start. See the 2025 amendment.

Import licences for specific goods

For certain goods, the importer also needs an import licence from the Ministry of Trade. The licence must be in place before the goods enter Indonesian customs territory, as shown by the inward manifest (BC 1.1). Depending on the goods, it takes one of three forms:

Registered Importer (Importir Terdaftar): for API-U holders.
Producer Importer (Importir Produsen): for API-P holders.
Import Approval (Persetujuan Impor, PI): may require a technical recommendation from another ministry or an allocation under the national commodity balance (neraca komoditas).

Some goods also need verification or technical tracing by an appointed surveyor before shipment, which results in a surveyor report (Laporan Surveyor, LS). The regulation applies this to goods that affect security, health, safety or the environment, public morals, basic necessities, used capital goods and strategic industrial inputs. Applications run through the INSW system and the Ministry of Trade’s INATRADE system.

The second amendment, Permendag No. 18 of 2026, took effect on 4 June 2026. It tightens the check that the PI number in the surveyor report matches the PI number in the customs declaration, and it allows a surveyor report to be issued after a PI expires in defined cases. See the Ministry of Trade announcement.

Customs registration and the import declaration

According to Bea Cukai, a company whose NIB is valid as an API and as a customs-access identifier is treated as registered with customs. Keep its data up to date in the OSS system and with the tax office. See the customs-registration guidance.

For each shipment, the importer files an import declaration (PIB). The importer self-assesses import duty, excise and import taxes, using the CIF value as the customs value. Shipments are routed to a red lane (document and physical inspection) or a green lane according to risk. Goods subject to prohibitions or restrictions (lartas) can only be released once the importer meets those requirements and declares them in the PIB. A licensed customs broker (PPJK) can file on the importer’s behalf. See Bea Cukai’s import guidance.

After import: reporting obligations

Importers with certain import licences must submit an import realisation report every month, by the 15th of the following month, through INSW and INATRADE. The report covers both completed and unused import quotas. Where a surveyor report was used, the report is due within 30 days of its use.

Under Permendag No. 18 of 2026, failing to report can lead to the freezing of import licences for the same commodity. Assign someone in the importing company to file these reports.

Product rules from other authorities

Trade licensing does not replace product approvals. Regulated goods may need their own permits before sale or import:

BPOM registration for processed food and health supplements, and cosmetic notification. Cosmetics also need an import certificate (SKI) for each shipment.
Medical-device registration with the Ministry of Health.
SNI certification and goods registration (NPB) for products under a mandatory national standard.

Check the requirements for each HS code in the national trade repository (INSW). Customs refers importers to it, and it is updated when ministries change their rules. Open the INSW trade repository.

Information for an initial review

Importer: company name, NIB, API type, business activities (KBLI) and existing import licences.
Goods: descriptions, specifications, composition or materials, brands, intended use and proposed HS codes.
Transaction: supplier, buyer, country of origin, estimated quantity and value, and delivery terms (Incoterms).
Shipment plan: transport mode, port of arrival and target dispatch date.
Existing approvals: product permits, previous import approvals, surveyor reports and classification rulings.

This is a scoping list. Final requirements follow from the confirmed goods, importer and import route.

How MDM supports import preparation

Define the transaction. Map the goods, HS codes, intended use and parties.
Check the importer. Confirm that the NIB, API type and business activities fit the plan.
Identify the licences. List the import licences, surveyor requirements and product permits for each HS code.
Coordinate applications. Support the licensing and documentation work within the agreed scope.
Prepare the shipment and reporting. Align the importer, supplier, customs broker and surveyor, and set up the reporting duties.

Licences and customs decisions are made by the competent authorities. MDM does not determine their outcome.

Budget and timing

Plan in this order: importer setup, product permits, import licences, then the shipment. An import approval that depends on a technical recommendation or a commodity-balance allocation takes longer than registration-type licences. Goods subject to verification need the surveyor’s inspection before loading.

Ask for a quotation that separates advisory fees, official charges, surveyor fees, customs-broker fees, freight, duties and taxes.

Use the applicable fiscal exchange rate in your import estimate

For foreign-currency transactions, check the Ministry of Finance fiscal exchange-rate decision covering the relevant operation date. Record the currency, rate, validity period and source used in the estimate. Keep this separate from the bank exchange rate used to pay the supplier. Recheck the applicable rate if the operation moves into another period. (Ministry of Finance fiscal exchange-rate decision, via DJP)

Issues to review early

The importer holds an API-P but intends to resell the goods.
The goods arrive before the required import licence is issued.
An unchecked HS code leads to the wrong licence or a missed restriction.
The PI number in the surveyor report and the customs declaration do not match.
Monthly realisation reports are not filed, putting future licences at risk.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreign company import into Indonesia directly?

No. The importer must be an Indonesian business entity whose NIB functions as an API. Foreign suppliers work through a local subsidiary, distributor or importer.

Is there one import licence for every product?

No. Every importer needs the NIB/API. Additional licences, surveyor reports and product permits depend on each product’s HS code and intended use.

Should we choose API-U or API-P?

Choose API-U if the company will sell or transfer the imported goods, and API-P if it will use them in its own production. Changing type later cancels existing import licences.

What if the goods arrive before the licence is issued?

For goods that need a licence, it must be in place before the goods enter customs territory, as shown by the inward manifest. Obtaining it afterwards is not a reliable fix, so plan the licence before shipment.

Can MDM guarantee a clearance date?

No. Clearance depends on the shipment and on the authorities’ processes. MDM coordinates preparation and follow-up within the agreed engagement.

Importer of Record Indonesia · BPOM Registration Indonesia · SNI Certification Indonesia

Official references

This page summarises the rules as of October 2026. Commodity-specific import rules change often, so confirm current requirements for each HS code before shipment.

Discuss your import project

Send your product list with HS codes if known, intended use, origin, proposed importer and shipping target. We start by identifying which licences and approvals apply.