Indonesia KBLI: An Ultimate Guide for Foreign Investors in 2026

As of 18 December 2025, KBLI 2025 is the official and current version of Indonesia’s business activity classification. It replaces KBLI 2020 under BPS Regulation No. 7 of 2025 and introduces structural and substantive changes that may affect companies registered or operating in Indonesia.

Now that the 18 June 2026 implementation deadline has passed, companies can no longer treat KBLI 2025 as a future update. Businesses should review their registered KBLI codes, OSS data, licenses, and corporate documents to identify any mismatch that may affect licensing, foreign ownership, risk classification, or future corporate actions.

This guide explains what KBLI is, what changed under KBLI 2025, how it affects foreign investors and PT PMA registration, and what companies should do next.

Key Takeaways

• KBLI is the official business activity classification system in Indonesia. It determines OSS licensing requirements, NIB issuance, risk level, foreign ownership rules, and sectoral approvals for every registered company.
• KBLI 2025, issued under BPS Regulation No. 7 of 2025 on 18 December 2025, replaces KBLI 2020 and is the classification system that all companies in Indonesia must align with.
• KBLI 2025 expands coverage from 21 to 22 categories and introduces specific classifications for AI, carbon capture and storage, data centers, digital platforms, and cryptocurrency.
• Choosing the wrong KBLI code can delay licensing, restrict business activities, prevent sectoral approvals, and create compliance issues during due diligence or regulatory audits.

KBLI 2025 vs. KBLI 2020: A Practical Comparison

Feature	KBLI 2020	KBLI 2025
Governing Regulation	BPS Regulation No. 2 of 2020	BPS Regulation No. 7 of 2025
Effective Date	2020	18 December 2025
International Standard	ISIC Revision 4	ISIC Revision 5
Number of Categories	21 (A to U)	22 (A to V)
Digital Economy Coverage	Limited	Expanded: AI, digital platforms, carbon trading, crypto
Data Centre Classification	General hosting code (63112)	Dedicated infrastructure code (63102)
Pharmaceutical Wholesale	Multiple narrow codes	Consolidated into 46441 and 46442
Real Estate	Unified classification	Split: development and rental
Code Restructuring	Not applicable	One-to-many and many-to-one splitting/consolidation
OSS Compliance Requirement	KBLI 2020 used for NIB and licensing	Must align by 18 June 2026

What is KBLI in Indonesia?

KBLI stands for Klasifikasi Baku Lapangan Usaha Indonesia — the Indonesian Standard Industrial Classification. It is issued by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) and serves as the official reference for classifying business activities across Indonesia.

Every business registered in Indonesia is assigned one or more five-digit KBLI codes. These codes determine:

• What a company is legally permitted to do
• What licenses and permits it must obtain
• Its risk level under the OSS-RBA system
• Whether foreign ownership is restricted or permitted
• What sectoral approvals are required from line ministries
• How the company is classified for tax and statistical reporting

KBLI is not only a statistical tool. In practice, it functions as the regulatory backbone of Indonesia’s business licensing system.

READ MORE:

• A Complete Guide for Registering a Company as Foreigners
• Indonesia Improves Foreign Investment Landscape with A Positive Investment List

Why KBLI Matters for Foreign Investors

For foreign investors setting up a PT PMA (Penanaman Modal Asing — foreign-owned limited liability company), the KBLI code is one of the most consequential decisions made during incorporation. Here is how KBLI affects operations:

PT PMA Registration

The KBLI code must be declared during PT PMA incorporation. It defines the company’s business scope and must align with the articles of association.

NIB Application

The NIB (Nomor Induk Berusaha) issued through OSS is linked directly to the declared KBLI codes. A mismatched code creates inconsistencies from the start.

OSS-RBA Risk Level

Each KBLI code carries a risk classification (low, medium-low, medium-high, or high), which determines how many licenses the company must obtain before operating.

Business Licenses

Some KBLI codes require only an NIB. Others require a standard certificate, a verified standard certificate, a business license, or specific sectoral approvals.

Foreign Ownership Review

Some KBLI codes are subject to restrictions under Indonesia’s Positive Investment List. Selecting a restricted code may limit foreign ownership or trigger additional requirements.

Sectoral Permits

Activities in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, energy, telecommunications, and financial services each require sectoral approvals tied to specific KBLI codes.

Tax and Administrative Records

KBLI codes inform how the company is classified for corporate tax, VAT, and other administrative filings.

Business Expansion

Companies adding new products, services, or locations typically need to update or add KBLI codes in advance of the expansion.

READ MORE:

• A Complete Guide for Registering a Company as Foreigners
• Indonesia Improves Foreign Investment Landscape with A Positive Investment List

KBLI 2025: What Changed?

KBLI 2025 has been in force since 18 December 2025 under BPS Regulation No. 7 of 2025, replacing KBLI 2020.

The update aligns Indonesia’s business classification system with ISIC Revision 5. It introduces more specific codes for newer sectors, including artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency-related activities, carbon capture and storage, cloud infrastructure, data centers, and digital services.

Key Changes

KBLI 2025 expands the classification from 21 to 22 business categories. One major change is the split of the previous information and communication category into separate groups for media-related activities and ICT services.

Some KBLI 2020 codes have also been split, merged, or reallocated. This means a company’s existing code may no longer fully match its actual business activity.

What Companies Should Do Now

The KBLI 2025 alignment deadline has already passed. Companies should now review their KBLI codes in OSS, licenses, and corporate documents to determine whether any adjustments are needed.

Existing business licenses remain valid, but manual updates may be required if there is a substantive change to the company’s business scope or activities.

KBLI 2025 New Activity Classifications

Sector	KBLI 2020 Reference	KBLI 2025 Classification	Business Impact
Data centers/cloud	63112 (data processing and hosting)	63102 (computing infrastructure, hosting, IaaS, PaaS, colocation)	Companies must check whether registered code is still valid
Information & communication	Single Category J	Split: Category J (publishing, media) and Category K (ICT services)	Companies must identify which category applies
Carbon capture and storage	Not specifically classified	New specific CCS classification	CCS companies now have a dedicated code
Artificial intelligence	Not specifically classified	New AI-related activity codes	AI companies can register with a purpose-built code
Cryptocurrency	Not specifically classified	New cryptocurrency-related activity codes	Clearer classification options for crypto businesses
Real estate	Single classification	Split: development and rental activities	Real estate companies must review whether both codes apply
Pharmaceutical wholesale	Multiple narrow codes by product type	Consolidated into KBLI 46441 and KBLI 46442	Companies under multiple legacy codes must realign

How KBLI Affects OSS-RBA and NIB

Every company in Indonesia must register through the OSS (Online Single Submission) system. The OSS-RBA (Risk-Based Approach) system uses the declared KBLI code to assign a risk level and determine what licenses are needed before the company can operate.

KBLI determines foreign investment restrictions, business risk levels, and required licenses. The issuance of KBLI 2025 directly affects whether licenses are required under OSS-RBA, the determination of business risk levels, and reporting obligations.

Risk Level	Who It Applies To	Licensing Required
Low risk	Small-scale, low-impact activities	NIB only
Medium-low risk	Activities with limited regulatory exposure	NIB + Standard Certificate
Medium-high risk	Activities requiring closer supervision	NIB + Verified Standard Certificate
High risk	Regulated sectors (healthcare, finance, energy)	NIB + Business License + Sectoral Approval

Selecting a KBLI code that carries a higher risk level than intended will increase the licensing burden before the company can operate. Selecting a code with a lower risk level than the actual activity may lead to compliance issues later.

Not sure your current KBLI is correct? Talk to InCorp Indonesia for a structured review ->

KBLI and PT PMA Registration

When setting up a PT PMA, the KBLI code must be selected before incorporation begins. It should accurately reflect the company’s core revenue-generating activity, not a general or aspirational business scope.

• Articles of Association: The company’s business scope must match the declared KBLI code.
• Business Model: Only activities covered by the declared KBLI are permitted.
• Investment Plan: The KBLI must align with the investment plan submitted to BKPM.
• Paid-Up Capital Plan: Some KBLI codes have minimum investment thresholds.
• Registered Address: Some KBLI codes require a specific type of business premises.
• Foreign Ownership: Certain KBLI codes are subject to foreign ownership caps.
• Licensing Requirements: The KBLI determines which sectoral permits the PT PMA needs.

Misalignment at incorporation creates a compounding problem: an incorrect NIB, an incorrect risk classification, an incorrect licensing pathway, and a potentially costly restructuring process later.

READ MORE:

• Why Foreign Investors Should Consider Lombok for Property Investment
• Moving to and Living in Jakarta for Foreigners: A Guide
• How to Easily Access The OSS Login System in Indonesia

When Should Companies Review Their KBLI?

A KBLI review is recommended at the following points:

• Initial PT PMA or company incorporation
• NIB application or reissuance
• Business expansion — new products, services, or regions
• Adding or changing import or export activities
• New factory or office registration
• Shareholder changes that affect foreign ownership ratios
• Application for a new sectoral permit
• Adding or changing product registration (BPOM, Ministry of Health)
• Transition to KBLI 2025

Proactive review prevents licensing delays and compliance gaps that are more expensive to resolve after they occur.

What Happens If the Wrong KBLI is Used?

Failure to complete KBLI updates within the prescribed transition period may result in inconsistencies in OSS licensing data, delays in permit amendments or renewals, and potential complications during regulatory inspections or audits.

Risk	Consequence
NIB / license mismatch	The NIB reflects a different activity than the company actually conducts.
OSS application delay	Licensing applications are rejected or flagged due to code mismatch.
No sectoral permits	Line ministries require a specific KBLI code before processing approvals.
Import/export access problems	API-U or API-P registration requires alignment between KBLI and trade activity.
Foreign ownership mismatch	The company may be operating under a code that restricts its current ownership structure.
Due diligence issues	Investors, banks, or partners will identify KBLI inconsistencies.
Expansion complications	Adding new business scope now requires more complex AoA amendment procedures.

Obtain Your KBLI 2025 with InCorp

Selecting, verifying, or updating a KBLI code is not a straightforward administrative task. The code has consequences across licensing, ownership, compliance, and business operations.

InCorp Indonesia (an Ascentium Company) supports companies through:

• KBLI Review and Advisory: Identifying the correct KBLI 2025 code and confirming its alignment with your business activity, investment plan, and expansion needs.
• PT PMA and Corporate Document Alignment: Ensuring the selected KBLI is reflected correctly in the articles of association and updated where substantive changes are required.
• OSS-RBA and Licensing Support: Navigating business licensing, sectoral permits, and authority coordination based on your declared KBLI code.

Unsure whether your KBLI still matches your business activity? Talk to InCorp Indonesia to review your company structure, KBLI classification, and licensing requirements before they become operational issues. Fill out the form below.

Frequently Asked Questions