How Bonded Zones Help Businesses Save on Taxes

Bonded Zones in Indonesia: Tax and Trade Benefits for Businesses

  • InCorp Editorial Team
  • 12 March 2025
  • 5 minutes reading time

A bonded zone is a special area where businesses can store, process, or distribute goods without paying immediate taxes or customs duties. These zones help manufacturers, traders, and exporters reduce costs and operate more efficiently. 

Many countries, including Indonesia, use bonded zones to attract investors, boost trade, and grow their economies. Businesses benefit from tax exemptions, easier customs procedures, and better logistics. 

But how do bonded zones work? Why are they so beneficial? What challenges do businesses face? This article explores how bonded zones create a business-friendly environment and how companies can take advantage of them. 

What is A Bonded Zone? 

A bonded zone is a designated area where businesses can import, store, process, or assemble goods without paying immediate customs duties and taxes. These taxes are only charged if the goods enter the local market. If they are exported, businesses can avoid these charges entirely. 

Bonded zones support trade, encourage investment, and improve logistics efficiency. They help businesses save money and streamline operations, making them an attractive choice for manufacturers, traders, and exporters. 

Types Of Bonded Zones 

There are different kinds of bonded zones, each serving a specific purpose: 

  • Bonded Warehouses: Stores imported goods before they are sold or exported. 
  • Bonded Manufacturing Zones: Allow companies to manufacture or assemble products using imported materials before exporting them. 
  • Bonded Logistics Centers: These act as distribution hubs, helping businesses store and ship goods efficiently. 
  • Bonded Free Zones: Large industrial areas with broader tax and customs benefits for various business activities. 

Bonded Zones in Indonesia 

In Indonesia, there are four major bonded zones: 

  • Batam 
  • Cakung 
  • Tanjung Priok 
  • Tanjung Emas Export Processing Zone (TEPZ) near Tanjung Emas Port, Semarang, Central Java. 

Bonded zones are crucial in maximizing Indonesia’s industrial potential for export and import activities. Companies can benefit from customs duty exemptions and streamlined import procedures by complying with the regulations and requirements. 

Businesses operating in these zones must maintain accurate records and report to ensure compliance with the laws. Bonded zones offer business opportunities and economic drivers for sustainable national growth. 

Key Incentives of Doing Business in a Bonded Zone 

Bonded zones offer cost savings, tax benefits, and faster trade processes, making them ideal for manufacturers, traders, and exporters. 

Bonded Zone Tax and Customs Facilities 

There are two main VAT facilities for goods entering bonded zones: 

  • VAT is not collected on imported goods or deliveries to Bonded Zone Entrepreneurs (PDKB) for use within the bonded zone. 
  • VAT is not collected on goods imported for processing and export by foreign tax subjects. 

Other tax and duty benefits include: 

  • Suspension of Import Duties: No duties are paid until goods leave the bonded zone. 
  • Excise Exemptions: Certain goods are not subject to excise taxes. 
  • Tax-Free Imports: No VAT or Income Tax Article 22 applies to imported goods. 

Businesses importing goods from bonded storage areas or special economic zones also enjoy the following: 

  • Suspended import duties 
  • Excise exemptions 
  • VAT and sales tax exemptions (STLG) 

Goods Eligible for Bonded Zone Benefits 

Not all goods qualify for tax exemptions. The following items receive bonded zone facilities: 

  • Raw materials, packaging, and fuel used in production. 
  • Machinery and capital goods for manufacturing. 
  • Office equipment and research materials. 
  • Semi-finished or finished goods that require further processing. 
  • Reimported goods from temporary exports. 

These tax incentives help manufacturers, traders, and exporters lower costs and stay competitive in global markets. 

How to Set Up a Business in a Bonded Zone in Indonesia 

How Bonded Zones Help Businesses Save on Taxes

Setting up a business in a bonded zone in Indonesia requires meeting specific regulations and obtaining government approvals. The process includes registration, compliance, and securing the correct location. 

Here are the key steps to establish your business in a bonded zone in Indonesia:  

  • Obtain bonded zone approval from the relevant authorities. 
  • Choose a strategic location within approved bonded zones. 
  • Fulfill customs and tax registration requirements. 
  • Ensure compliance with reporting and operational guidelines. 

Navigating this process can be complex, and professional assistance can make it easier. InCorp Indonesia (an Ascentium Company) specializes in business setup, product registration, and compliance support, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free entry into Indonesia’s bonded zones. 

Challenges of Doing Business in a Bonded Zone 

While the future of bonded zones and logistics centers in Indonesia looks promising, challenges must still be addressed. 

Infrastructure Gaps 

  • Some areas still require better roads, ports, and connectivity to support smooth trade operations. 
  • The government actively invests in transport and logistics improvements to bridge these gaps. 

Regulatory Hurdles 

  • Businesses must navigate complex regulations and compliance requirements. 
  • Streamlining licensing and customs procedures remains a key focus for policymakers. 

Regional Competition 

  • Neighboring countries also offer competitive bonded zone facilities. 
  • Indonesia’s strategic location and cost advantages help maintain its attractiveness to investors. 

With continued government investment in infrastructure and trade facilitation, Indonesia is well-positioned to strengthen its bonded zones and attract more businesses. 

Guide to Doing Business in Jakarta

Mailchimp Free eBook Indonesia Business Insight

Set Up Your Business in a Bonded Zone with InCorp 

Bonded zones significantly benefit manufacturers, traders, and exporters looking to reduce costs, streamline trade, and expand globally. Despite infrastructure gaps and regulatory complexities, Indonesia remains a top destination for businesses due to its strategic location, cost advantages, and ongoing government investments in trade facilitation. 

Navigating Indonesia’s bonded zone regulations can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. InCorp Indonesia (an Ascentium Company) provides end-to-end solutions to help businesses establish a strong presence in the country. 

  • Business Setup & Licensing: Get expert assistance in company registration, legal compliance, and licensing to ensure a smooth and hassle-free setup in Indonesia. 
  • Product Registration & Import Compliance: Ensure your products meet Indonesian regulatory requirements and obtain the necessary certifications for legal market entry. 

Fill out the form below to unlock the full potential of Indonesia’s bonded zones. 

Verified by

Ales Cina

Consulting Manager at InCorp Indonesia

Aleš manages solution delivery at InCorp Indonesia, optimizing incorporation processes and client relationships. His experience in internal auditing, retail, and sales offers valuable global insights. Aleš, with a degree in Economics and Finance from the Czech Republic, helps clients navigate cross-border business challenges, focusing on cultural and legal insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

    In a PMA Company in Indonesia, shareholders typically have limited liability, meaning they’re not personally liable for agreements or losses beyond their shareholding, except in certain circumstances. Liability may extend if the company isn’t properly established or if shareholders exploit the company in bad faith, engage in unlawful acts, or deplete company assets to the detriment of creditors.

    The procedures for (voluntarily) liquidation typically involve the following steps:

    • Conduct a general shareholder meeting to approve the liquidation and the liquidator’s nomination
    • Notify the Ministry of Law and Human Rights as well as the creditors of the liquidation and the distribution plan for the assets by newspaper notice
    • All business licenses and tax numbers should be canceled or revoked; the tax office will conduct a tax audit to revoke the tax number
    • Make sure creditors are paid and that any liquidation funds are distributed to shareholders (if any)
    • Conduct a general meeting of shareholders to approve the liquidator’s discharge and acquittal
    • Notify the Ministry of Law and Human Rights of the liquidation’s outcome. After receiving the notification, the Ministry of Law and Human Rights will deregister the company’s status as a legal entity and remove its name from the Company Registry
    • Release the liquidation’s outcome in a newspaper

    Completing the liquidation process can take around two years.

    In Indonesia, the necessity of hiring Indonesian employees by foreign companies typically arises from commercial requirements, regulatory mandates in specific sectors like construction or shipping, or as part of employing foreigners to fulfill knowledge transfer obligations.

    CV (Commanditaire Vennootschap) is a proprietary business entity that houses several individuals to run a business.

Get in touch with us.

Lead Form

What you’ll get

A prompt response to your inquiry

Knowledge for doing business from local experts

Ongoing support for your business

Disclaimer

The information is provided by PT. Cekindo Business International (“InCorp Indonesia/ we”) for general purpose only and we make no representations or warranties of any kind. We do not act as an authorized government or non-government provider for official documents and services, which is issued by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia or its appointed officials. We do not promote any official government document or services of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, including but not limited to, business identifiers, health and welfare assistance programs and benefits, unclaimed tax rebate, electronic travel visa and authorization, passports in this website.