Quick Understanding of Export Customs Procedures in Indonesia

Current export customs procedures require exporters to register with Indonesia’s trade department to obtain a customs identification number (Nomor Identitas Kepabeanan, NIK). It is a personal identification number assigned by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. Additionally, an exporting business must have a taxpayer identification number (NPWP) and a business license. The business license has to be one of the following:

• - Trade license (SIUP) from the Ministry of Trade.
• - Manufacturing license from the Ministry of Industry or other licenses issued by the relevant authority.
• - PMA license issued by the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).
• - Exporter identification number (APE).

Legal entities or businesses exporting out of Indonesia must submit a Bill of Lading, Airway bill or other transport documents. The transport documents include postal receipt, cargo receipt, Commercial Invoice, Customs Export Declaration, Packing List, Export declaration of goods (PEB), Insurance Certificate, Export Permit, and Certificate of Origin. 

Export Declaration

Upon sales contract confirmation and the eligibility of the goods have been confirmed, a prospective exporter can proceed with the packaging and scheduling of the export shipment. One of the most important steps next is for the exporter to submit a Pemberitahuan Ekspor Barang (PEB) to the Customs and Excise Office. The PEB and several accompanying documents, including a commercial invoice, packing list, and documents from the relevant technical bodies, are required to obtain export approval. A PEB will contain information such as:

• - Exporter
• - Recipient
• - Customs broker (if available)
• - Means of transport
• - Country of destination, and
• - The goods (type, quantity, container number, relevant documents)

The PEB submission should be no earlier than seven days before the shipping/transportation schedule or before goods entering the customs area. The exporter is granted a Notice of Export Approval (NPE) after Customs examination of the eligibility of exporter and products and the completeness and validity of the document. Moreover, the NPE effectively clears the goods for export. Hence, the goods can be loaded to the transport. However, the exporter needs to note that taxes may apply for certain goods intended for export. Therefore, he or she must settle the full amount of tax before exporting shipment. The main component for tax calculations in this regard is the export benchmark price (HPE) as regulated by the Ministry of Trade.

For more information on the export procedure in Indonesia, please visit the website of the Indonesian Customs for more information. You should also check out these two articles on import procedure in Indonesia and tips to bolster your business to be more successful!