Home Blog Importer of Record In Indonesia – A Legal & Inexpensive Way To Import Business Licenses | Business Setup | Local Partner Distributor Importer of Record In Indonesia – A Legal & Inexpensive Way To Import InCorp Editorial Team 20 May 2025 3 minutes reading time Table of Contents Importer of Record Service - What Is It? Benefits Of Using An Importer Of Record The Import Process Importer of Record Service – What Is It? An Importer of Record is a legal entity registered in Indonesia that is responsible for all the documents and entry requirements for importing goods into the country. The Importer is registered under the Directorate General of Customs and Excise and has official licenses and permits to carry out import activities. The reason for using an Importer Of Record in Indonesia is quite straightforward. You have the products, the importer of record has a legal entity registered in Indonesia, and the required documents. To be more specific, an importer of record service provides the following Appropriate entry documents for clearance through customs Payments for any levies, duties, or fines Product certification and classification All other responsibilities pertaining to importation Business owners planning to import products into Indonesia independently should thoroughly understand Indonesia’s import and export, BPOM registration and distribution regulations, and licenses. And while it is common knowledge that a company must first set up a legal business entity in Indonesia before importing any goods, many have underestimated the procedure, paperwork, and time taken. Establishing a trading company in Indonesia could take five months or longer. And it is only when the company is established, can the business move forward to secure an Import License via OSS. Navigating Indonesia’s regulations can sometimes deter foreign companies from importing their products. An Importer of Record (IoR) is a legal service that enables companies to import products into Indonesia, through an import partner. Read on to get an overview of how an IoR works in Indonesia. Benefits Of Using An Importer Of Record There are many benefits that come with using an Importer Of Record service, for both import companies and manufacturers in Indonesia. Hassle-Free Global Logistics: Since importing involves more than one country, an importer of record will undertake local taxes and legal entry points. Risk-Free: There are no custom risks of shipment delays and penalties for importers or manufacturers who do not have the required documents and import approval from the authorities. Other Benefits The shipment clearance process becomes simpler A transparent process that is fully in compliance with all export and import regulations It’s not necessary to establish an import legal entity in Indonesia just for importing purposes The Import Process Provide necessary information to Cekindo who serves as your Importer Of Record. You should confirm with your supplier, seller or shipper overseas beforehand that Cekindo will serve as your company’s importer of record. After the confirmation with your overseas exporters, you will need to verify the shipping documents as well. Cekindo will then evaluate and confirm the importing goods. Once there we have clearance, we will proceed with the import and shipping of the goods. Once the import goods have arrived at the Indonesian port, Cekindo has already had all the documents ready for customs clearance and freight forwarding. On behalf of your company, Cekindo will clear all payments in regards to customs taxes and duties upon the receipt of payment from you. You can choose to pick up your goods from Cekindo or to opt for delivery of products to your location. While you focus on the core aspect of your business, InCorp’s comprehensive product registration and import solutions can help you in the technical facets of starting a business in Indonesia. To find out more, please fill out the form below and an IoR expert will be in touch with you shortly. Read Full Bio Verified by Daris Salam COO Indonesia at InCorp Indonesia With more than 10 years of expertise in accounting and finance, Daris Salam dedicates his knowledge to consistently improving the performance of InCorp Indonesia and maintaining clients and partnerships. Frequently Asked Questions Is it required to hire Indonesian staff in the PMA company? 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. Can you provide pricing examples for company registration services? To provide you with accurate pricing information for our product registration services, we consider the complexities of your inquiries and the dynamic nature of regulations in Indonesia. As a result, the pricing for the service may vary accordingly. For detailed information, don’t hesitate to contact our consultants. Can Investors 100% own a PT PMA Company? According to Presidential Regulation No. 10/2021 and the amended version, all businesses are open for domestic and foreign investment with these limitations and classifications: Eight businesses are closed to foreign investment and may be operated by the central government. Designated business sectors or joint ventures with cooperatives (koperasi) and micro, small, and medium enterprises Open businesses are subject to specific conditions, such as those that are exclusively available to 100% local investors, those with restricted foreign shareholding, and investments requiring special licenses Certain sectors are closed to foreign investment, including narcotics cultivation, gambling, and environmental conservation activities. Can you have a nominee arrangement when setting up PMA? A nominee arrangement is an arrangement that uses another person’s name as a subject. In Indonesia, it is prohibited. This restriction aims to prevent situations where a company is owned by one party but beneficially owned by another. According to the law, any nominee agreement between a local party and a foreign investor is deemed null and void. Get in touch with us. Lead Form Newsletter Full NameEmailPlease provide corporate email where possiblePhone NumberOffice SetupWhich city are you planning to expand into?JakartaSemarang/Central JavaBali/LombokBatam/SumateraSurabaya/East JavaOther ProvincesType of Service- Please Select -[SPECIAL PACKAGE] Company Registration + Office Package (20% OFF)[SPECIAL PACKAGE] Product Registration + License Holder (20% OFF)Business SetupAccounting and TaxHR & Payroll servicesImmigration ServicesProduct Registration and ImportCompliance and Secretarial ServicesBusiness AdvisoryMore ServicesType of Service- Please Select -[SPECIAL PACKAGE] Company Registration + Office Service (20% OFF)[SPECIAL PACKAGE] Comprehensive Industrial Package (15% OFF)Business SetupAccounting and TaxHR & Payroll servicesImmigration ServicesProduct Registration and ImportCompliance and Secretarial ServicesBusiness AdvisoryMore ServicesType of Service- Please Select -[SPECIAL PACKAGE] Company Registration + Office Service (20% OFF)[SPECIAL PACKAGE] Comprehensive Industrial Package (15% OFF)Business SetupAccounting and TaxHR & Payroll servicesImmigration ServicesProduct Registration and ImportCompliance and Secretarial ServicesBusiness AdvisoryMore ServicesType of Service- Please Select -[SPECIAL PACKAGE] Company Registration (25% OFF) + Office Space (Private Office 30% OFF)[SPECIAL PACKAGE] Company Registration + Investor KITAS (25% OFF)[SPECIAL PACKAGE] Accounting + Tax Services+ Annual Fintax Report (20% OFF)[SPECIAL PACKAGE] Payroll Services for Executive Role (20% OFF)Business SetupAccounting and TaxHR & Payroll servicesImmigration ServicesProduct Registration and ImportCompliance and Secretarial ServicesBusiness AdvisoryMore ServicesType of Service- Please Select -[SPECIAL PACKAGE] Company Registration (20% OFF) + Office Service (25% OFF)[SPECIAL PACKAGE] Company Registration + Micro Finance Services (25% OFF)[SPECIAL PACKAGE] Property Assistance: Due Diligence + AJB Purchase/Lease Agreement (25% OFF)Business SetupAccounting and TaxHR & Payroll servicesImmigration ServicesProduct Registration and ImportCompliance and Secretarial ServicesBusiness AdvisoryMore ServicesType of Service- Please Select -Business SetupAccounting and TaxHR & Payroll servicesImmigration ServicesProduct Registration and ImportCompliance and Secretarial ServicesBusiness AdvisoryMore ServicesServices Company Registration Renting Virtual and Serviced Office Mergers and Acquisitions Business and Import Licenses Corporate Recovery and Insolvency Closing of Company (Dissolution) Land and Property Ownership Shelf Company Local NomineeServices Accounting and Tax Reporting Audit and Review Transfer Pricing Compliance Tax RefundHuman Resource Sub Services Payroll Outsourcing Employer of Record Recruitment and HR Establishment Employment ServiceServices Business Visa Work Permit and KITAS Dependent Visa (Spouse and Family) OtherBusiness Visa Subservices Business Visa Visit Visa Visa ExtensionServices Medical Device Beauty (Skincare and Cosmetic) Food and Beverage Health Supplement Household Product Halal Certification TrademarkServices Legal Consultation Legal Agreement Service Due Diligence and Background Check Company Documents RevisionBusiness Advisory Business Advisory Services ESG Reporting & Advisory Internal Audit Risk ManagementMore Services Market Research and Analysis Local Distributor and Partner Bank AccountMessageSubmit 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. More on Business Licenses Do Indonesians Prefer Remote Working Opportunities? Read more New Hub for International Business Expansion Plans: BSB Semarang Industrial Park Read more A Guide to Closing a Company in Indonesia Read more