Indonesia has issued Minister of Trade Regulation No. 21 of 2025 (Permendag 21/2025), repealing Permendag 8/2024 and coming into force in August 2025. The rule standardizes imports of Electronic and Telematics Goods via pre-entry approvals and technical verification, with tailored treatment for special zones and export schemes.
Key Takeaways
- Effective Aug 2025: Permendag 21/2025 replaces 8/2024 for electronic & telematics imports.
- Pre-entry requirements: IT + PI and LS from an appointed surveyor are core.
- Zones: Many non-cooling items are exempt on entry into zones, but full rules apply upon release into the Customs Territory; cooling-based electronics remain subject in zones (except designated-port rule).
- Exemptions: Available for non-business and business purposes per annexe criteria, including zone releases and KITE (Exemption)—via Certificate of Exemption.
- Reporting & sanctions: E-report realization/distribution and upload LS; missing PI/LS in customs docs triggers rejection and administrative sanctions.
- Transition: Existing PIs remain usable until expiry; pending PI/IT/Exemption applications proceed if non-conflicting; prior LS/surveyors remain valid with options to amend/extend.
What changed under Permendag 21/2025—and when does it apply?
Beginning August 2025, covered electronic/telematics goods must meet a new approval + verification regime that replaces Permendag 8/2024.
Which electronic and telematics goods are covered?
Color copiers/printers/MFPs, mobile devices, general electronics, and cooling-based electronics.
- Color multifunction machines, color photocopy machines, and color printers
- Mobile phones, handheld computers, and tablet computers
- Electronics (with and without cooling systems)
- Goods based on cooling systems
What approvals and verifications are mandatory before entry?
IT (Registered Importer) + PI (Import Approval) before entry, and LS (Surveyor Report) from an appointed surveyor.
- IT issued by the Ministry of Trade
- PI issued by the Ministry of Trade
- LS based on technical verification by an independent surveyor appointed by the Minister
- Articles 3(1) & 4(1): Both IT and PI are required before entry into Indonesia’s Customs Territory.
How do surveyor verification and customs inspection work?
An appointed surveyor verifies shipments and issues an LS, which customs uses at the designated entry port; the Ministry may set specific entry points.
- Technical verification → LS issued pre-clearance
- Customs inspection at arrival relies on the LS
- Designated ports may be determined by the Ministry
How are Free Trade Zones (KPBPB), Special Economic Zones (KEK), and Bonded Zones (TPB) treated?
Many items are exempt on entry into zones, but full rules apply if/when goods move into the Customs Territory; cooling-based electronics generally remain subject to policies even in zones.
Exempt from PI, LS, and designated-port determination when imported into KPBPB/KEK/TPB:
- Color MFPs, color copiers, color printers
- Mobile phones, handhelds, tablets
- Electronics excluding those based on cooling systems
Caveats & applications:
- No exemption if goods arrive directly at a designated port within the Customs Territory.
- When later transferred into the Customs Territory, all import provisions apply in full.
- Who can apply for IT/PI for release from zones:
- Business operators in KPBPB/KEK/TPB, or
- The owner of the goods in the Customs Territory; for TPB, the importer may also apply directly.
Cooling-based electronics (and electronics based on cooling systems) imported into KPBPB/KEK/TPB:
- Remain subject to import policies and regulations (designated-port requirement excepted).
PI issuance channel:
- Via the SINSW electronic licensing system integrated with INATRADE, for KEK/TPB, PI may be submitted by the business operator or the importer.
KPBPB Sabang:
- Standard import policies do not apply to imports from outside the Customs Territory into Sabang, but only entities licensed by the Sabang FTZ & Free Port Authority may import.
What exemptions are available—and who qualifies?
Exemptions may apply to non-business and business imports per annex criteria, and to zone releases and KITE (Exemption) flows—documented via a Certificate of Exemption.
Types of exemptions:
- Non-business imports (per Annex II/Annex III eligibility—importers may or may not hold NIB as API)
- Business imports (for importers with NIB as API, whose activities fall under Annex IV)
Where exemptions also apply:
- Release of certain goods from KPBPB/KEK/TPB into the Customs Territory
- KITE – Exemption scheme imports
Goods covered under these exemptions:
- Color MFPs, color copiers, color printers
- Mobile phones, handhelds, tablets
- Electronic goods not based on cooling systems
Certificate of Exemption:
- May be issued by the Director General on behalf of the Minister.
- All exemptions must comply with the applicable import policy regulations.
What reporting is required—and what are the sanctions?
Importers with PI must e-report realizations/distribution and upload the LS; missing PI/LS in customs documents leads to rejection and administrative sanctions (Article 20).
- Electronic reports: realization & distribution (including nil realization)
- Electronic LS upload
- Customs declaration must include PI and LS or clearance is rejected
- Sanctions: administrative, per Article 20 and prevailing procedures
What are the transitional provisions?
Existing PIs remain valid to expiry; pending PI/IT/Exemption applications continue if not conflicting; previously issued PIs/LS can be amended/extended; prior surveyors remain authorized.
- Valid PIs under the old rule may be used until expiration
- Applications for PI, IT, or Certificates of Exemption submitted before enactment continue if non-conflicting
- Applicable PI covers: color MFPs/copiers/printers, mobile phones/handhelds/tablets, electronics, and complementary/market-testing/after-sales goods
- Previously issued PIs and LS may be amended/extended; prior certificates/docs remain valid if not conflicting
- Appointed surveyors remain authorized; issued LS valid until import completion (may be amended/revoked)
- Goods arriving directly at a port inside the Customs Territory must comply with the new regulation
- Existing technical guidelines apply insofar as they do not contradict Permendag 21/2025
How Permitindo Can Help
Permitindo can handle your end-to-end compliance under Permendag 21/2025—from company setup (PT PMA/PT PMDN) and business licensing (including IT/PI filings via SINSW–INATRADE) to surveyor coordination (LS). Get started via the contact form below or reach us via contact@permitindo.com.
