The Latest Regulation on Exporting Cosmetics to Indonesia

Because of its vast population and relatively good purchasing power, Indonesia has been one of the most targeted countries for export. Recent studies show that in the next decade, Indonesia is expected to be in the top 5 or even 3 of the most significant markets in Asia-Pacific, and many are thinking about exporting their cosmetics to Indonesia.

However, because of the massive flow of imported goods to Indonesia in the last five years—especially after the booming of online shopping—the government of Indonesia has issued stricter regulations to protect its citizens.

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This is mainly for goods directly consumed or utilized by consumers, such as food, skin-care products, drugs, and cosmetics. In short, only registered importers with legal certifications from the government of Indonesia can export their products to the country.

In this article, we will primarily discuss the regulations for exporting cosmetics and skin-care products to Indonesia based on the latest law issued by the government of Indonesia.

Step-by-Step Guidelines: The Initial Actions Importers Should Take

Establishing Connection with Local Agent or Representative. To export cosmetics and skin-care products, the Government of Indonesia made a new policy that the imported company should have a local agent to represent the company’s existence in Indonesia. This local agent will then help the company obtain an import license.

This import license is a must to bring the company’s products into the Indonesian market. Without the presence of a local agent, it is impossible to register your company on the list of certified import companies.

Asking Your Local Agent to Get A Licensed Distributor Permit

The next step is for the local agent to obtain a distributor permit to receive the products from the source company. The agent will then be called the official distributor of your products. In the past, citizens of Indonesia could privately buy cosmetics or skin-care products directly from the company or its distributors overseas.

They then could sell the products and cut the distribution channels so that the products they sold were cheaper than those sold by the official distributor. However, under the new rule, this action is considered illegal.

The strict rule applies to cosmetics and skin-care products because the market is saturated with fake products. Under the new law, only registered products imported by registered companies are expected to be able to enter the Indonesian market.

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Registering Every Product with the Indonesian Agency for Drugs and Food Control

Cosmetics and skin-care products are drugs. Therefore, every company that wants to export those products to Indonesia must register with an agency called BPOM in Indonesia. Each product must be registered separately, and the BPOM will issue a notification and a code or number that must be printed on each product’s packaging.

The BPOM registration number is valid for three years, and the company can extend the permit afterward. However, the rule is to keep it reasonable for three years. The imported company should import the product every six months.

Meeting the National Standard of Indonesia (SNI).

Again, in terms of consumer goods, the import company must meet specific standards. Every product entering the Indonesian market should follow the government’s standardization. The standardizations include some tests that the product should undergo, the production process, specific labeling techniques, requirements, and packaging methods. All ingredients and product descriptions on the packaging should also be translated into proper and standardized Indonesian. Any misleading information in the package and advertising will be considered a violation of Indonesian law.

Paying the Import Duties

Generally, the import duties for cosmetic and skin-care products are 10 percent. By following the above step-by-step guidance, you are one step closer to being a certified cosmetic and skin-care importer in Indonesia. Considering that those regulations are made to protect Indonesian consumers, the local cosmetic and skin-care industries should be considered.

There are approximately 700 cosmetic and skin-care companies in Indonesia, which makes the competition tighter. To survive in the Indonesian market, it is necessary to build trust with the government as the policymaker and the customers as your target market.

Register Your Cosmetic Products with InCorp Indonesia

Entering the Indonesian market with your cosmetic products requires more than full compliance with local regulations. At InCorp Indonesia, we specialize in helping businesses navigate the complex process of cosmetic product registration with BPOM. From document preparation and formula assessment to label review and post-approval support, our team ensures a smooth and timely registration process.

Whether you’re a new brand or an established name looking to expand, our experts are ready to guide you through every regulatory step so your products can reach Indonesian consumers with confidence and compliance.

Contact InCorp for more information regarding Cosmetics Registration in Indonesia by filling out the form below.