If you are currently shipping goods to Indonesia, or are about to start shipping them, there is one thing you should know before booking your next container: Indonesian import regulations. The revised regulations have a primary goal: to reduce delays at ports and improve compliance with import laws. This sounds like a move by the Indonesian side, but the real impact falls directly on you as a Thai exporter.

Indonesia is a market very close to Thailand. Shipping routes from Laem Chabang to Jakarta or Surabaya are not far. However, geographical proximity doesn't mean that documentation and customs procedures are easy. Indonesia has a relatively detailed import control system, and when regulations are changed, things that previously worked may now require additional documents or steps.

In short,Indonesian import regulations.This doesn't mean exports are impossible this time, but it means Thai SMEs need to prepare documents and discuss details with their trading partners before booking transportation.

See the original announcement from... DITP / Thai Trade Center in Jakarta To check.Indonesian import regulations.Latest update by myself.

What are the changes to Indonesian import regulations, and who is affected?

This regulatory adjustment has two clear goals: to reduce port delays and to increase the stringency of compliance. This means that if your documents are incomplete, don't match the HS code used, or your goods don't meet the required standards, there's a higher chance they will be held at the port. This doesn't just cause delays, but also incurs additional costs.

Those directly affected are Thai SMEs that regularly export goods to Indonesia, whether food, cosmetics, industrial products, or consumer goods, because each group has different import conditions, and when the rules change, those conditions may change as well.

Is your HS Code still correct?

The first thing to check is whether the HS code you are using for export matches the classification of your goods in Indonesia. Sometimes, the HS code used in Thailand may not match exactly at the destination, and when import regulations are adjusted, some items may be moved to a category requiring additional licenses.

If you are unsure whether your current HS code is correct, you should check with your Indonesian counterparty or their customs consultant before proceeding. Do not let the goods pass through until they arrive at the port and only then discover there is a problem.

Import licenses and certification documents: Something many people overlook.

Indonesia has an import permit system called API (Angka Pengenal Importir), which importers must have before they can receive goods. In addition, some types of goods require further certification documents, such as certificates from relevant agencies in Thailand or product standard certifications from the source.

A common problem is that Thai exporters prepare all the necessary documents on their side but fail to check if their Indonesian trading partner has all the necessary import licenses. Upon arrival at the port, it turns out the trading partner hasn't renewed their API (Authorized Export Permit) or their license has expired. The goods are then stuck at the port, incurring daily storage costs.

Product and labeling standards: Points of inspection are increasing.

Indonesia has several agencies that oversee product standards, such as BPOM for food and cosmetics, and BSN for industrial standards. Products that fall under these categories must be registered or certified before they can be legally imported.

Labeling is equally important. Indonesia mandates that certain types of products must have an Indonesian language (Bahasa Indonesia) label before being sold. If your shipment contains incorrect labels, it may be detained for inspection or required to be returned for corrections, all of which incur costs and time.

Indonesian import regulations: A checklist to check before shipping any goods.

Before booking, shipping, or preparing export documents to Indonesia, please check these items thoroughly:

• The HS code is correct and matches the one used in Indonesia to classify your product. It's not just that it matches what Thailand uses for export.
• The end-partner has an import license (API) that has not yet expired. And it covers the types of products you send.
• Does your product need to be registered with BPOM or a related agency? If yes, you must have the registration number before sending.
• The product label is in Indonesian and contains all the information required by law. This includes the product name, ingredients, expiration date, and importer's name.
• All export documents are complete. This includes invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and other certification documents required for that type of product.
• Our trading partner is ready to handle the customs procedures on the Indonesian side. There is a shipping company or customs agent handling it.
• Check if your product falls into a category that requires special inspection. For example, products that must pass SNI inspection (Indonesian standard).

The risks that arise if the documents are incomplete.

Many people think that if goods are held up at the port, they just have to wait for clearance before being sent on. However, in reality, the costs involved are not insignificant. Storage fees at Indonesian ports are high, and if goods are held up for weeks, the figures can be much higher than anticipated.

In addition to warehousing fees, there are also fees for document corrections, additional inspections, and in some cases, if the goods do not meet standards, they may have to be returned or destroyed. This means a loss of both the goods and the transportation costs already paid.

There's also the issue of sales cycles. If goods arrive later than agreed upon with your supplier, it can negatively impact the business relationship, especially if your products have expiration dates or are seasonal.

Talk to your end-customer before, not after, booking the container.

Before every shipment, the first thing you should do is have a clear discussion with your Indonesian partner about whether they are ready to accept your goods under the new regulations. Do they have all the necessary documents and licenses? And do they have a shipping agent or customs representative familiar with the new rules to handle the process?

Communicating with your business partners before booking shipping significantly reduces risk compared to rushing into delivery and trying to resolve problems later. Issues that arise at Indonesian ports are often difficult and take longer to resolve than expected.

Plan your delivery schedule to ensure you have sufficient buffer time.

When import regulations are initially revised, delays at ports are often greater than usual because both customs officials and importers need to adjust to the new procedures. If you have orders to ship to Indonesia during this period, you should plan for extra buffer time compared to normal. Do not calculate delivery times using the same estimates as before the regulation changes.

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Things remain unclear and need to be monitored.

The information currently available is only a general overview of the regulatory changes and does not yet specify details by product or category. Therefore, if you are exporting specific product groups such as food, cosmetics, or industrial goods, you should check directly with the relevant authorities in both Thailand and Indonesia before concluding how your products will be affected.

Regularly monitoring announcements from the Indonesian Customs Authority (Bea Cukai) and BPOM will help you stay informed of any changes that directly affect your goods, rather than waiting until your goods are stuck at the port.

What should be done now is not to wait for everything to be clear before starting, but to check the documents and discuss everything clearly with the end-user before booking the next shipment. Preventing risks in advance is better than incurring costs after the goods arrive at the port.

Source: DITP / Thai Trade Center in Jakarta, June 19, 2026.