How to Determine the Right HS Code for Importing Products into Indonesia
Entering the Indonesian market can be an exciting opportunity for any exporter. With its growing economy and large consumer base, Indonesia offers vast potential — but success begins with one crucial step: determining the correct HS Code for your product.
The HS Code (Harmonized System Code) is a global classification system used to identify every type of product traded internationally. It may seem like a small technical detail, but in reality, your HS Code determines everything — from how much tax you’ll pay, what permits you’ll need, to whether your shipment clears customs smoothly or gets delayed at the port.
1. Why the HS Code Matters
Choosing the correct HS Code is essential because it affects:
- Import duties and taxes applied to your product
- Eligibility for tax exemptions or preferential tariffs under free trade agreements
- Import permits or restrictions required before shipping your goods
In short, the HS Code acts as the “passport” for your product — guiding both customs and importers in understanding how your goods are treated under Indonesian regulations.
2. Understanding the HS Code Format in Indonesia
Indonesia uses an 8-digit HS Code format, which consists of:
- The first six digits: based on the international classification by the World Customs Organization (WCO)
- The last two digits: specific to Indonesia, adding more detailed product categorization
For example:
8501.52.00 → Electric motors with an output of more than 750 watts but not exceeding 75 kW.
This 8-digit code is what the Indonesian government uses to determine applicable tariffs, import regulations, and technical standards.
3. Information You’ll Need to Check Your HS Code
To verify or identify the right HS Code for your product, prepare the following information:
- Product name or description (in English or Indonesian)
- HS Code used in the country of origin (if available)
These details will help you match your product with the corresponding HS Code recognized in Indonesia.
4. How to Check Your HS Code Using INSW
The Indonesian government provides an official online platform called INSW (Indonesia National Single Window), which consolidates import and export regulations in one place.
Here’s how to use it:
- Visit the official website: https://insw.go.id/intr/
- Go to the “Tariff & Regulations” section
- Enter your product name or HS Code
- The system will display:
- Applicable import tariffs and taxes
- Import permit requirements (Lartas)
- Relevant regulations and technical standards
It’s a quick and reliable way to understand how your product will be classified upon entering Indonesia.
5. Checking Import Permits (Lartas)
Some products are subject to import controls or additional requirements known as Lartas (Larangan dan Pembatasan), which means “restrictions and prohibitions.”
You can find these details under the “Import Regulation (Tataniaga Border)” section on the INSW website.
Common types of import permits include:
- Surveyor Report (LS)
- Import Approval for Steel or Iron Products
- Import Approval for Textiles
- Import Approval for Tires
- Import Permit for Hazardous or Toxic Materials (B3)
- SNI Certification (Indonesian National Standard)
- Domestic Component Level (TKDN) requirements
Identifying whether your product is subject to these restrictions will help you prepare the necessary documents early on, avoiding customs delays or rejections.
6. Checking Import Tariffs and Tax Relief Opportunities
Within the INSW platform, you can also access the “Tariff Information” section to see the breakdown of import taxes applied to your product.
These typically include:
- BM (Import Duty) – varies for each HS Code
- PPN (Value Added Tax) – fixed at 11%
- PPh (Income Tax on Import) – fixed at 2.5%
If your country has a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Indonesia, you may be eligible for reduced or zero import duty rates.
To qualify, you must include a valid Certificate of Origin (COO) with your shipment.
You can check the applicable preferential tariff under the “Tariff Preference” section on INSW
MyLegal is to provide professional services for environmental and industrial permitting, mining, and legal affairs in Indonesia. The company specializes in helping clients obtain permits and comply with regulations related to environmental protection, mining operations, and other industrial activities.
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