Indonesia customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

Indonesia's biggest customs quirk is the IMEI registration for foreign phones: an unregistered handset gets cut off from local SIM networks after 30 days. The duty-free allowance is per adult, not per family, and the cash declaration threshold is unusually low. E-cigarettes are banned outright, and drug offenses carry the death penalty.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol

1.0 L

1 litre of alcoholic beverages per adult (18+). This can be any combination of spirits, wine, or beer, but the total volume must not exceed 1 litre. Anything above is subject to import duties and excise.

Tobacco

200 cigarettes

or 50 cigars / 100 g

Cash to declare

$10,000

Any amount of cash or negotiable instruments exceeding IDR 100,000,000 (approximately USD 6,500) must be declared. Use the Customs Declaration Form (e-CD) or the paper form if the electronic system is unavailable. Failure to declare can lead to fines or confiscation.

Goods duty-free

$500

Personal goods up to USD 500 per person are duty-free. This includes gifts, souvenirs, and new items. Above this, a flat 10% import duty applies, plus 11% VAT and 10% income tax (PPh) on the excess value. For example, if your goods are worth USD 600, you pay taxes on USD 100.

Prohibited — banned from import

Narcotics and illegal drugs (including marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy) — penalties include death or life imprisonment.
E-cigarettes, vaping devices, and e-liquids — completely banned.
Weapons, ammunition, and explosives without a permit.
Pornographic materials, including magazines, DVDs, and digital media.
Currency in excess of IDR 100,000,000 (approximately USD 6,500) undeclared.
Radio transmitters, satellite phones, and walkie-talkies without a permit.

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

Medicines containing narcotics or psychotropic substances — require prior approval from Indonesian authorities.
Live animals and plants — require import permits and health certificates.
Firearms and ammunition — require special permits from the Indonesian National Police.
Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles — require registration and permits from the Ministry of Transportation.
Books, printed materials, and recorded media that may contain communist or pornographic content — subject to censorship.

Arriving: red vs green channel

All arriving passengers must complete a Customs Declaration Form, either electronically via the e-CD app or website before arrival, or on paper. After immigration, proceed to the baggage claim area and then to customs. If you have nothing to declare and are within the allowances, use the green channel. If you have goods exceeding the allowance, cash over the threshold, or restricted items, use the red channel and present your declaration form to the officer.

Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds

Indonesia offers a VAT refund for tourists on purchases of goods worth at least IDR 5,000,000 (approximately USD 325) at participating stores. The scheme is administered by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. You must show your passport at the store, get a VAT refund form, and claim the refund at the airport before check-in for your departure flight. The refund is processed at the VAT Refund Counter in the departure terminal.

Bringing medication

You may bring personal medications for your own use, but they must be in original packaging with a prescription or doctor's letter. Narcotics, psychotropics, and other controlled substances require prior approval from the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the National Narcotics Agency (BNN). Some common medications containing codeine, amphetamines, or certain sedatives are illegal in Indonesia. Always check with the Indonesian Embassy before travel.

Food, plants & animal products

All food, plants, seeds, and animal products must be declared. Fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, and dairy products are prohibited from many countries due to biosecurity risks. Processed and packaged foods are generally allowed if commercially sealed. Failure to declare can result in fines and confiscation. Live plants and seeds require a phytosanitary certificate.

Rules worth knowing

IMEI Registration for Mobile Phones

Foreign mobile phones must be registered at the airport to work on Indonesian networks. You can register at the customs counter or via the e-CD app. If not registered, your phone will be blocked from local SIM cards after 30 days. Registration is free for the first 30 days, but after that, you may need to pay import duties.

Strict Penalties for Drug Offenses

Indonesia has extremely harsh penalties for drug trafficking, including the death penalty. Even small amounts of illegal drugs can lead to life imprisonment. Do not carry any drugs, including prescription medications that are illegal in Indonesia.

Duty-Free Allowance is Per Person

The alcohol and tobacco allowances are per adult passenger, not per family. If you are traveling with family, each adult can bring their own allowance, but children cannot combine theirs with adults. Exceeding the allowance means paying duties on the excess.

Cash Declaration Threshold

You must declare if you carry cash or negotiable instruments exceeding IDR 100,000,000 (about USD 6,500). This is lower than many countries. Failure to declare can result in fines up to 10% of the excess amount or confiscation.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, if you plan to use a local SIM card. You must register your phone's IMEI at the airport customs counter or via the e-CD app. Registration is free if done within 30 days of arrival. After that, your phone will be blocked from local networks. You can also register online through the Indonesian customs website.

You will need to pay import duties and taxes on the excess value. For goods, the first USD 500 is free, and the excess is subject to a flat 10% import duty, plus 11% VAT and 10% income tax. For alcohol and tobacco, you pay specific excise rates. It's best to declare and pay at the red channel.

Yes, for personal use, but you must have a prescription or doctor's letter. Some medications, especially those containing narcotics or psychotropics, require prior approval from the Indonesian Ministry of Health. Check with the Indonesian embassy before traveling, as some common drugs are illegal.

No, e-cigarettes and vaping products are completely banned in Indonesia. Bringing them into the country can result in confiscation and fines. This includes e-liquids and devices.

You can bring any amount, but if it exceeds IDR 100,000,000 (about USD 6,500), you must declare it. There is no limit, but undeclared amounts can lead to penalties. Use the customs declaration form to declare.

Most fresh food items like fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy are prohibited. Processed and packaged foods are generally allowed if sealed. You must declare all food items. Failure to declare can result in fines and confiscation.

Yes, if you spend at least IDR 5,000,000 (about USD 325) at participating stores. You need to show your passport at the store, get a VAT refund form, and claim the refund at the airport before departure. The refund counter is in the departure terminal.

Official source

Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Ministry of Finance, Republic of Indonesia