As of mid-2025, the rules for bringing household goods and personal effects into Bali (and wider Indonesia) have changed meaningfully. For individuals and businesses involved in relocation, shipping or expatriate services, it’s critical to understand how these regulatory updates affect duty-free imports, customs documentation, and delays or additional costs.
What Changed: The 2025 Update to Customs Regulations
The Indonesian government issued Minister of Finance Regulation No. 25/2025 (MOF Reg. 25/2025), which replaces the previous regulation on import of personal effects (the older MOF Reg. 28/2008)
This guide outlines exactly what documents are now required, who qualifies for duty-free importation, and what household-goods shipments are allowed into Bali.
Importing household goods into Bali has become more regulated in 2025 following the introduction of Indonesia’s updated customs framework. Whether you are relocating, returning home, or sending personal effects from overseas, it is now essential to meet the new documentation and eligibility standards to avoid delays, duties, cargo rejection or customs penalties.
Who Can Legally Import Household Goods Into Bali in 2025?
Eligible:
- Indonesian citizens returning from overseas, having lived abroad and worked for 12+ consecutive months.
- Expatriates relocating to Bali for work, holding:
- A valid KITAS (working visa/temporary stay permit), or
- A KITAP (permanent stay permit).
- Golden Visa May be accepted
- Foreign students relocating to Indonesia for recognised study programs.
Not eligible for import:
- Tourists
- Short-stay visitors
- Foreign retirees with non-working retirement visas
- Anyone shipping new items, bulk quantities, or items still in factory packaging
If the importer does not meet the eligibility criteria, customs will not process the entry under the personal-effects exemption.
Shipments Currently Being Rejected
Based on recent Bali customs decisions, the following categories cannot import household goods
- Retirement KITAS holders
- Digital nomads / remote workers
- Tourist visa holders
- Social/cultural visa holders
- Business visa (B211A) holders
- Golden Visa holders without IMTA
- Anyone staying in Bali without employment authorisation
- Foreign-owned company directors without IMTA
- People relocating for lifestyle reasons, not work
Customs officers in Bali are treating these shipments as non-eligible personal imports, resulting in:
- Full import duty and VAT
- Detailed classification of goods as commercial cargo
- Shipments being refused personal-effects processing
- Possible re-export requirements
This has already affected multiple importers who believed older rules still applied. Therefore, Jet fast Will not be accepting any further shipments that do not meet the strict import requirements.
Document Requirements (Strictly Enforced)
Customs now requires all of the documents below. Missing even one often results in rejection.
Mandatory Documents
(These must be provided BEFORE the shipment arrives at any Indonesian port.)
- Original passport (or clear copy of every page)
- Signed Power of Attorney (authorising your broker/forwarder)
- Copy of stay/resident permit – e-KITAS
- This is mandatory for all foreigners
- The e-KITAS must be issued before the shipment arrives
- Copy of working permit (IMTA)
- Only working KITAS + IMTA holders are eligible for duty/tax exemption
- Investors with the correct IMTA are also eligible
- Acceptance Letter from an Indonesian educational institute
- Required for foreign students (students are eligible for duty exemption)
- Sponsorship Letter
- From the employer, guarantor, or company supporting the visa
- Latest travel documents
- Airline ticket + boarding pass copy
- Shipment arrival must be within 90 days of your personal arrival
Without IMTA, Customs is not classifying the shipment as personal effects.
Returning Indonesian Citizens (WNI)
Indonesian citizens returning home must provide:
- Original passport (or clear full-copy of every page)
- Signed Power of Attorney
- Statement letter from the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate at origin
- Original inventory list
- Must be endorsed or legalised by the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate
- Company statement letter from employer overseas
- Latest travel documents
- Airline ticket + boarding pass
- Shipment must arrive within 90 days of personal arrival
Critical Timing Requirement: The 90-Day Rule
Both foreigners and returning Indonesians must match personal arrival date with shipment arrival date.
- Customs requires proof of arrival (boarding pass + ticket).
- Shipment must arrive within 90 days of the importer entering Indonesia.
- Late arrival shipments risk full taxation or rejection.
Key Takeaways for Anyone Moving to Bali
To import used household goods into Bali:
You must have:
- e-KITAS issued before the shipment arrives
- IMTA (work permit) – if claiming duty exemption
- Full passport copy
- Power of Attorney
- Sponsorship letter (where applicable)
- Travel documents to prove arrival
If you cannot supply these, expect:
- Full duties and taxes, OR
- Shipment refusal, OR
- Mandatory re-export at the importer’s cost
How Jetfast Helps Protect You from Customs Issues
We will only handle shipment for clients who meet the requirements; therefore we will check your situation and documents and honestly tell you if we think there may be an issue with your shipment prior to handling or shipping.
We will not ship personal effects into Bali unless documentation is compliant, protecting clients from unexpected taxes, additional charges at port due to customs hold or / and rejection.
Disclaimer:
It is the importers responsibility to ensure they have the correct documentation for importing household
goods into Indonesia and should have a local legal visa agent to assist with compliance. Indonesian Government Rules and Regulations can change without notice.