Doing business in Indonesia
Indonesia is a market of more than 270 million people with registration rules that stop most foreign products at the border. We handle the registrations, the importer and the distributor from Bali.
The four things that decide whether a product can be sold
| Requirement | What it is | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| BPOM | Marketing authorisation from the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (ML number for imported food) | Processed food, cosmetics, supplements, traditional medicines, drugs |
| Halal | Certification through BPJPH, the Halal Product Assurance Agency | Food, beverages, cosmetics and other categories, phased by deadline |
| SNI | Mandatory Indonesian National Standard certification | Listed products, including some electrical goods and building materials |
| Importer | An Indonesian company whose NIB includes import access | All imports |
Requirements change by regulation and product category. We confirm the rules for your exact product before any filing.
How we work in Indonesia
Our Indonesian work is delivered with PT. Emdiem Bali Management, a foreign-investment company (PT PMA) in Kuta, Bali, registered since 2022 and directed by Vibra's founder. It gives clients a local team, Indonesian-language filings and a presence in meetings with authorities and distributors.
- Product check: classification, registrations, Halal and SNI needs, duties.
- Importer route: your own PT PMA, a licensed partner or a distributor.
- Registrations: BPOM, Halal and others, filed by the Indonesian entity.
- Distribution: shortlist, meetings and contract terms with distributors.
Before you ship anything: a product that reaches an Indonesian port without the right registrations is usually held or re-exported. Start registrations months before the first shipment.
Frequently asked questions
Do imported food, cosmetics and supplements need BPOM registration?
Processed food, cosmetics, traditional medicines, health supplements and drugs need a BPOM marketing authorisation before they can be sold. Imported processed food is registered with an ML number; locally produced food carries an MD number. The application is filed by an Indonesian company that holds the right licences.
Is Halal certification required?
Indonesian law makes Halal certification mandatory for many product categories, with deadlines phased by category and origin. Certification is issued through BPJPH. Products that are not Halal must be labelled as such. We confirm the current deadline for your category before you plan a launch.
Who can import goods into Indonesia?
An Indonesian company with a business identification number (NIB) that grants import access. A foreign company usually imports through its own PT PMA, a licensed distributor or an importer partner.
What is SNI?
SNI is the Indonesian National Standard. For certain products — some electrical goods, building materials, toys and food items among them — SNI certification is mandatory before import or sale.
Can foreigners work in Indonesia?
Foreign staff need a work-permit stay (KITAS) sponsored by an Indonesian company. Directors and commissioners of a PT PMA are typically sponsored by that company.
Bringing a product to Indonesia?
Tell us what you sell, where you want to sell it and by when. You will speak with Daniele Spina directly, and we reply within one working day.