Most shipping problems are about delays. A few are about goods that should never have been sent in the first place. Prohibited items are seized, restricted items without the right permit are held, and in serious cases the shipper faces penalties. Knowing the categories before you pack saves money and trouble. This guide gives an overview, but the rules change and depend on the exact product, so always check your specific goods before booking.
Prohibited and restricted are not the same
- Prohibited goods cannot be shipped at all, with or without paperwork.
- Restricted goods can be shipped, but only with a permit, licence, certificate or special packing.
Many common products fall into the second group. A restriction is a reason to prepare, not a reason to give up.
Goods that are prohibited almost everywhere
- Narcotics and illegal drugs.
- Weapons, ammunition and explosives, unless shipped under special licence.
- Counterfeit goods and products that infringe trademarks.
- Protected wildlife and products made from it, such as ivory, certain corals, turtle shell and many animal skins, unless covered by CITES permits.
- Pornographic material and items banned by the destination country.
Exports from Indonesia that are banned or controlled
Indonesia limits the export of some raw materials to encourage processing at home. Examples include unprocessed logs, raw rattan and certain mineral ores. Processed products made from the same materials, such as rattan furniture, are usually fine. Other exports need specific documents:
- Wood products often need timber legality documents under the SVLK system.
- Plants, seeds and some food products need phytosanitary or health certificates.
- Antiques and cultural objects may need clearance before they can leave the country.
- Live animals, fish and their products need quarantine certificates.
Imports into Indonesia that are restricted
Imports are controlled more tightly than exports. Commercial imports need an importer identity and often a product specific permit. Common restricted categories include:
- Food, drinks and supplements, which need registration with the food and drug authority.
- Cosmetics and medicines, which need registration and sometimes testing.
- Electronics and telecom devices, which may need certification.
- Used goods, many of which, such as used clothing, are not allowed to be imported.
- Plants, seeds, meat and animal products, which go through quarantine.
We explained the import process in detail in our guide to importing into Bali.
Dangerous goods: allowed, but with rules
Dangerous goods include lithium batteries, perfume, aerosols, paint, adhesives, cleaning chemicals and compressed gas. Many can travel by sea, and some by air, if they are classified, declared, labelled and packed correctly. Hiding them in a general shipment is never worth it. It puts the vessel or aircraft at risk, and it is the quickest way to have a shipment refused.
The destination has its own rules
A product that leaves Indonesia legally can still be refused on arrival. Australia and New Zealand are strict about wood, food and anything that could carry pests. The United States has rules on food, cosmetics and children’s products. The European Union has rules on product safety and labelling. Check both ends before you ship.
How to check your goods
- Write a clear description of the product and what it is made of.
- Find or confirm the HS code, which determines most rules and permits.
- Check the rules at origin and destination for that code.
- Prepare permits and certificates before the cargo is packed.
If you are not sure, ask before you ship. Tell us what the product is, what it is made of and where it is going, and we will check it with you. Our customs clearance guide and the FAQ page answer more common questions, and requests go through our quote form.
