Key Takeaways
- Indonesia updated its import regulations (Regulations No. 36/2023 and No. 3/2024) to tighten controls on specific goods, import permits, and passenger-carried items, but the March 2024 regulation was later revoked to reduce burdens on travelers and migrant workers.
- Key restrictions include limits on electronics, alcohol, tobacco, cash, medicines, and strict bans on drugs, weapons, pornography, and certain cultural or fake items.
- The changes initially aimed to protect local industries and monitor imports more closely, but caused concerns over delays, higher costs, and unclear import rules for businesses.
- Travelers must declare high-value items, follow customs procedures online 72 hours before arrival, and abide by VAT (11%) on imported goods.
Traveling to Indonesia? Knowing the rules can save you time, money, and stress. The Indonesian Customs prohibited items list changes often, so it’s important to stay updated.
While the new restrictions aim to protect local industries, they also affect international travelers and migrant workers, who could face duties on personal items. Some worry the rules may lead to confusion or unofficial fees at airports.
In this guide, we’ve summarized the latest updates to Indonesia’s customs regulations, including exactly what you can and can’t bring into the country. Read this before you book your flight to Bali.
Recent Indonesian Import Regulations Issued to Tighten Trade Controls
The Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade has rolled out two major import regulations:
- Regulation No. 36 of 2023 (December 2023). This regulation came into effect on 10 March 2024, replacing the earlier regulations (No. 20/2021 and No. 25/2022).
- Update through Regulation No. 3 of 2024 (March 2024), which amended several import rules.
Here are the key changes introduced in Regulation No 3 of 2024:
- Updated Import Rules for Specific Goods: Now includes new requirements for importing plastic raw materials, chemicals, aircraft spare parts, and horticultural products.
- Revised Import Permit Procedures: The process for obtaining import permits has been adjusted, with added steps and updated requirements for approval.
- New Categories of Restricted Goods: The regulation introduces more product classifications that are now subject to import limitations.
- Expanded List of Used Goods Allowed for Import: Certain used items that were previously restricted can now be imported legally under the updated rules.
- Tighter Controls on Passenger-Carried Goods: Stricter checks and limits now apply to goods brought into the country by air travelers.
These changes aim to strengthen the monitoring of imports and protect local markets by limiting the entry of certain goods.
Read More: New Regulations Are Changing How You Buy Property in Bali
Challenges Raised by the New Import Regulations
However, the change has drawn public criticism. The regulation is feared to have broad impacts and pose various challenges for businesses, such as:
- Getting Permission Takes Longer: The new rules make it harder to get permission to import things like steel, clothes, and used items.
- Unclear Rules About How Much You Can Import: Businesses need government data to get import permission, but if it's not ready, their request can be delayed or rejected.
- Limits on What Travelers Can Bring: People coming into Indonesia can only bring a few things with them. For example, only 5 electronic items worth up to $1,500 per person per year.
- New Codes for Goods Must Be Checked: Each item has a code (called HS Code), and if businesses don’t check the updates, their goods could be blocked or sent back.
- It Might Cost More and Slow Down Business: Because of more rules and steps, importing can cost more money and time. This can hurt profits and make it harder for local businesses to compete.
Read More: Can Foreigners Own Property in Bali?
Indonesian Customs Prohibited Items List 2026: What You Can and Can't Bring
In response to public pressure, the Trade Minister officially revoked the regulation that came into effect in March 2024. The decision was made to avoid causing unnecessary burden on individuals, especially travelers and migrant workers.
For more details, check the table below to see what you can and can’t bring into Indonesia:
| Category | What You Can Bring ✅ | What You Can’t Bring ❌ |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Items | Clothes, bags, toiletries, jewelry (for personal use, under USD 250); must declare if more | – |
| Cash | Up to IDR 100 million (or equivalent); must declare if more | – |
| Alcohol | Up to 1 liter per person | More than 1 litre without declaring |
| Tobacco | Max: 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 100g tobacco | Over these limits |
| Electronics | Max 2 items (e.g. phones, laptops, tablets); no need to declare for short visits under 3 months | More than 2 items, or undeclared electronics |
| Medicine | Allowed with a doctor’s prescription | Chinese traditional medicine is not allowed |
| Drugs | – | All illegal drugs (narcotics, cannabis, etc.) – strictly forbidden |
| Weapons | – | Guns, firearms, ammo, explosives – strictly forbidden |
| Pornography | – | Pornographic materials – strictly forbidden |
| Other Items | – | Fake goods, cordless phones, plants, animals, cultural artefacts (restricted) |
Conclusion
Although the current rule has been scrapped, the Finance Ministry still plans to introduce new regulations to limit certain imported goods—mainly to protect local industries.
However, the government has stated it will take a more careful and balanced approach to ensure future policies won’t negatively affect individuals.
The goal is to defend local businesses while still being fair to travelers and overseas workers.
