What the rule changes, and when
Indonesia Ministry of Trade Regulation No. 23 of 2026 amends the rules for imports in a non-new condition and non-hazardous, non-toxic waste. Its amended Article 3 lists used industrial electronics as a distinct category. The official JDIH record gives 9 September 2026 as the regulation's adoption and promulgation date.
Article II says the regulation starts to apply after 30 days counted from promulgation. That is the commencement rule in the text; this article does not treat the change as already effective on its publication date. Importers should confirm the operative date and any later implementation notice with the official authority before scheduling a shipment.
The Batam route is narrow
Under Article 7A, used electronics for industrial needs may only be brought in for industrial use in the Batam Free Trade Zone and Free Port Area (KPBPB Batam). The text says these goods cannot then be moved from Batam to another free zone, a special economic zone (KEK), a bonded logistics place (TPB), or another place in Indonesia's customs territory.
The importer must hold a valid NIB that functions as an API-P (producer-importer identification). This is not a blanket authorization for all used electronics, consumer resale, every Indonesian destination, or every tariff code. The annex contains the covered tariff lines and descriptions; check the exact product against that list.
Check the permit path before paying a deposit
Article 5 requires an import approval (PI) before goods enter the customs territory for the categories in Article 3(1)(a), (c) and (d), which include used capital goods, non-hazardous waste as industrial raw material, and used industrial electronics. The annex says the PI application for the electronics category is supported by a commodity-balance requirement where one has been established; otherwise it refers to a decision from a meeting coordinated by the Batam zone authority.
Ask the Indonesian buyer and licensed customs broker to confirm the applicable HS line, the current PI issuer and supporting document before the supplier takes a non-refundable deposit. A supplier's ability to sell or ship a machine does not prove that the named Indonesian importer can lawfully import it under this route.
A practical sourcing workflow
Put the condition (used or new), make, model, serial number, technical purpose and proposed HS classification on the quotation. Request clear nameplate photos, a condition report and a test record so the importer can compare the goods with the annex description. Do not rely on a broad product name such as “industrial electronics.”
Before booking, have the importer confirm in writing that the goods are for industrial use in Batam, that its NIB/API-P status is valid, and that the required PI and supporting approval are in place. Keep the same product description, quantity, unit, consignee and destination across the purchase order, permit application and shipping instructions. Treat this as an operational checklist, not legal advice; confirm product-specific questions with Indonesian authorities or a licensed broker.
Your next-order checklist
- Match the product and exact HS line to Section VII of the official annex.
- Confirm the destination is industrial use in KPBPB Batam, not domestic resale or onward transfer.
- Verify the importer’s NIB is valid as an API-P and confirm the PI issuer and required supporting basis.
- Obtain permit confirmation before deposit, production release or cargo booking.
- Align condition, model, serial number, quantity, consignee and destination across all documents.
Sources & reference dates
- Indonesia Ministry of Trade Regulation No. 23 of 2026 - official JDIH recordSource published: 2026-09-09
- Regulation No. 23 of 2026 - official full text and annex, Indonesia Ministry of Trade JDIHSource published: 2026-09-09
Prepared by the Yifeng Sourcing editorial team with AI assistance from the primary sources listed below. Source dates are recorded; destination-specific requirements should be reconfirmed before acting. This is not legal or tax advice.