Indonesia Country Commercial Guide
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Prohibited and Restricted Imports
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In Indonesia, the importation of specific goods is strictly regulated under the Prohibited and Restricted Goods (LARTAS) list, as specified in Ministry of Trade Regulation No. 18 of 2021. Importers are required to consult the INSW (Indonesia National Single Window) portal to identify any applicable restrictions or prohibitions. Items such as sugar, finished hand tools, and certain hazardous substances are among those that may be restricted. Importers must ensure compliance with the relevant conditions, which can include obtaining appropriate certifications and confirming the product’s classification under the correct Harmonized System (HS) Code. For some products, such as food and cosmetics, halal certification may also be mandatory.

The technical regulations for the export and import of LARTAS are governed by regulations issued by relevant technical ministries and agencies, such as:

  • Regulation of the Minister of Trade (for consumer goods, chemicals, electronics, etc.)
  • Regulation of the Minister of Industry (for industrial goods, particularly technology and electronic products)
  • Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture (for animals, plants, and their derivative products)
  • Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry (hazardous and toxic waste materials, etc)
  • Regulation of the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products)
  • Regulation of the National Police (for firearms, etc)

To find detailed descriptions of prohibited and restricted import goods, including their tariff headings/HS (Harmonized System) codes, please visit http://eservice.insw.go.id.

Prohibited Imports

The Government of Indonesia has made significant strides in simplifying its trade and licensing processes, particularly through the implementation of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation and its accompanying Government Regulation No. 29 of 2021. Under this framework, the Ministry of Trade (MoT) holds authority over import and export administration, including approvals, licenses, and technical verifications.

One of the most impactful reforms was the consolidation of various import licenses into a single Business Identification Number (Nomor Induk Berusaha or NIB), which companies can obtain through Indonesia’s Online Single Submission (OSS) system. The NIB now serves as a unified substitute for the three former categories of import licenses: API-U (General Import License), API-P (Producer Import License), and API-T (Limited Import License). With an NIB, most businesses are eligible to engage in import and export activity without needing separate permits. However, certain regulated products still require additional approvals from the Ministry of Trade, such as importer registration, producer import licenses for raw materials, or general import approvals for resale purposes.

All goods imported into or exported from Indonesia must be classified under the country’s Harmonized System (HS) Code, which determines not only the applicable tariffs and duties but also whether the item falls under the list of restricted or prohibited goods. Importers are strongly encouraged to check the status of their goods using the Indonesia National Single Window (INSW) portal, which offers a searchable database for regulatory requirements and LARTAS (restricted and prohibited goods) status.

All goods imported into or exported from Indonesia must be classified under the country’s Harmonized System (HS) Code, which determines not only the applicable tariffs and duties but also whether the item falls under the list of restricted or prohibited goods. Importers are strongly encouraged to check the status of their goods using the Indonesia National Single Window (INSW) portal, which offers a searchable database for regulatory requirements and LARTAS (restricted and prohibited goods) status.

According to Article 2, Paragraph (3) of the Minister of Trade Regulation 18/2021, there are several goods prohibited for import, including:

  • Sugar: Raw Crystal Sugar, Refined Crystal Sugar, and White Crystal Sugar with a certain ICUMSA value are prohibited from being imported.

  • Rice: Rice with a broken grain content between 5% and 25%, including sticky rice, Hom Mali rice, Basmati rice, and Malys rice. Additionally, other aromatic rice and half-cooked rice that exceeds the specified broken grain percentage are also prohibited.

  • Ozone-Depleting Substances: Halogenated derivatives of hydrocarbons such as carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, CFCs, HCFCs, and halons used in refrigeration systems or combustion materials.

  • Used Bags, Used Sacks, and Used Clothing: Items that have been used, particularly those made from jute fibers or other textile fibers from tree bark.

  • Cooling Equipment with CFCs and HCFCs: Temperature control equipment such as refrigerators, freezers, and other devices using CFC or HCFC-22, whether empty or filled.

  • Certain Pharmaceuticals and Foods: Substances such as Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), lindane, Sibutramine, and Carisoprodol as listed in the Tariff/HS codes.

  • Hazardous and Toxic Materials (B3): Halogenated derivatives of hydrocarbons like DDT, Aldrin, and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), as well as B3 waste such as slag, ash, and residues containing hazardous metals.

  • Finished Hand Tools: Agricultural tools such as shovels, hoes, and rakes that are sold in finished form, except those specifically listed in special regulations.

  • Mercury-Containing Medical Devices: Medical devices such as dental amalgam, blood pressure measurement devices, and thermometers containing mercury.

Goods included in this prohibited category are not allowed to enter Indonesia, and violators may face criminal sanctions, including imprisonment for up to 5 years and/or a fine of up to IDR 5 billion (Article 3 and Article 6 of Minister of Trade Regulation 18/2021).

In addition to prohibited goods, there are also restrictions on certain imports as set by the Minister of Finance. These restrictions may change according to the country’s policies and economic conditions.

The latest provisions regarding restricted imports are listed in the Minister of Finance Decree of the Republic of Indonesia Number 17/KM.4/2024 concerning Restricted Goods for Import under Minister of Trade Regulation 7/2024 (KMK 17/KM.4/2024).

These restrictions cover items such as traditional medicines and health supplements containing certain substances, cosmetics, Household Health Supplies (PKRT), electronics, and valves under specific tariff codes, as outlined in the Annex of KMK 17/KM.4/2024.

Goods included in the restricted list require permits from the relevant technical authorities, such as the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Forestry, and Ministry of Environment and Forestry, under the supervision of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC).

Exporters and importers are advised to consult with legal advisors or licensed Indonesian customs brokers to ensure compliance with all documentation, classification, and licensing requirements before initiating any shipment. Violations of LARTAS regulations can lead to seizure of goods, penalties, or restrictions on future trade activities.

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

Limitations

As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

Privacy

The Chatbot does not collect information about users and does not use the contents of users’ chat history to learn new information. All feedback is anonymous. Please do not enter personally identifiable information (PII), sensitive, or proprietary information into the Chatbot. Your conversations will not be connected to other interactions or accounts with ITA. Conversations with the Chatbot may be reviewed to help ITA improve the tool and address harmful, illegal, or otherwise inappropriate questions.

Translation

The Chatbot supports a wide range of languages. Because the Chatbot is trained in English and responses are translated, you should verify the translation. For example, the Chatbot may have difficulty with acronyms, abbreviations, and nuances in a language other than English.

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