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Import in Bali

From the world to Bali.

Indonesia has its own rules when it comes to bringing goods into the country — and navigating them takes some preparation. Whether you’re shipping your belongings ahead of a move or looking to bring in goods for business, the process differs significantly depending on what you’re importing and why. We’ve been handling import logistics in Bali since 1993, and we’re here to help you understand what applies to your situation.

Moving to Bali

Your new home.

Relocating to Bali comes with its share of administrative hurdles — and import rules in Indonesia are no exception. We handle the import of personal effects for people moving to the island. From coordinating with your origin-side agent to customs clearance and door delivery in Bali, we take care of the logistics end-to-end, whether your shipment comes by air or sea.

One thing to know upfront: we handle both personal and commercial imports, but they follow very different legal frameworks. This page focuses on personal imports, if you’re importing goods for resale or business use, see the Commercial Import section below for the specific licensing and documentation required.

Your personal effects

What we handle, who qualifies.

Personal effects are the belongings you already own and use: furniture, clothing, appliances, books, and tools of your trade. Bringing them with you when you move is a different process from buying goods abroad to sell in Bali, and Indonesian customs treats the two very differently.

To import your personal effects into Indonesia, a few key conditions apply:

You must hold a valid long-stay visa. Under current Indonesian customs regulation (PMK No. 25/2025, effective June 2025), duty-free import of household goods is available to foreign nationals holding a KITAS or ITAS for work or study, valid for at least 12 months, and to returning Indonesian citizens who have lived abroad for a minimum of one year. Retirement visa holders and investors without a work permit can still import personal goods, but should expect to pay standard import duties and taxes.
Your goods must have been in your possession and use for at least one year before shipment, and are intended for your continued personal use in Indonesia — not for resale.
Timing matters. Your shipment must arrive in Indonesia within three months of your own arrival date. You are allowed one air shipment and one sea shipment under duty-free conditions — not more.
A detailed packing list is required, including serial numbers for all electronic items. Customs inspection is mandatory for both air and sea freight.
Items in their original packaging are classified as new by Indonesian customs and will be assessed duties accordingly.
Some goods cannot be imported, regardless of their personal nature. Alcohol and tobacco are strictly prohibited for non-diplomatic shipments. Vehicles and vehicle parts are not allowed. Weapons, narcotics, and hazardous materials are banned outright. Statues and cultural artefacts require special examination and can take months to clear.

This list covers the main points — it is not exhaustive. Regulations change, and each shipment has its own specifics. Contact us before you pack. You can also read the guide indicated below.

Want to know more about importing personal goods into Bali ?

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Moving to Bali with your household? Personal effects imports now fall under PMK 25/2025, fully electronic and stricter on documentation. This guide covers eligibility, paperwork, customs clearance, and what Limajari handles once your goods land in Indonesia.

Commercial import

A different matter entirely

Importing goods for business or resale

If you’re planning to import goods into Bali for commercial purposes, to sell, distribute, or use in a business, this is a different operation entirely from personal effects, and one we handle on a case-by-case basis.

Commercial imports in Indonesia are regulated separately from personal shipments. Any individual or company engaged in import for business activities must hold a Business Identification Number (NIB, Nomor Induk Berusaha), obtained through Indonesia’s Online Single Submission (OSS) system. For foreign nationals, this means first establishing a legally registered Indonesian entity, typically a PT PMA (Perseroan Terbatas Penanaman Modal Asing), the standard structure for foreign-owned companies. Importing commercially as a private foreign individual is not possible under Indonesian law.

Beyond the NIB, certain product categories require additional permits before goods can enter the country: approvals from BPOM for food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products, SNI certification for electronics and regulated consumer goods, and commodity-specific quotas or trade approvals for restricted items.

Whether we can take on your shipment depends on several factors:

Your importer status, whether the NIB and entity are already in place or still to be set up
The product category and any specific permits it requires (BPOM, SNI, quotas)
Volume, frequency, and the type of service needed (FCL, LCL, or air freight)
Completeness of supplier documentation and agreed Incoterms

If you have a clearly defined project, or you’re still assessing feasibility and need a starting point, get in touch. We’ll review your case and either move forward together or connect you with the right contacts for the parts outside our scope. Get in touch.