Singapore and Indonesia are popular countries for both tourists and businesses. While the former is also known as Gateway to the East, the latter is a popular destination too. With a flurry of activities with migrants and locals, it is natural for both countries to share trade relations. So, in case you are looking to ship a parcel from Singapore to Indonesia – whether it’s clothing or strictly regulated consumables like medicine –, we are here to guide you on all the rules, regulations, and procedures you need to follow.

Don’t worry, you won’t have to go through a ton of information such as the customs regulations, its transit time, shipping documentation, the security of your shipment, and many other factors before you send your parcel. Here at DHL Express, we are making this process super simple for you. We believe in providing customers with end-to-end knowledge about the import and export shipping procedures to any country without hassle. So, if you’re looking forward to sending important documents or goods from Singapore to Indonesia, then you’re at the right place.

Indonesia’s customs regulatory changes

The Indonesian government has developed a set of new customs regulations which took effect on August 1st, 2021. According to the new customs rules, all shippers should provide documentation of the Indonesian Tax ID Number (NPWP - Nomor Pokok Wajib Pajak) to their shipment carrier service, when importing to or exporting goods from Indonesia to the rest of the world. The identification number requirement varies from businesses to private individuals, and as such:

• For businesses: Companies within Indonesia should provide the Indonesian Tax ID Number (NPWP - Nomor Pokok Wajib Pajak) when importing or exporting.
  
  
• For private individuals: Those in Indonesia are required to provide the Indonesian Tax ID Number while importing or exporting in one of the alternative identification numbers as stated below:

a) Indonesian ID Number (NIK - Nomor Induk Kependudukan) for Indonesian Nationals

b) Passport Number only for foreigners.

DHL Batam Yellow Boat Service

DHL Express launched its first Yellow Boat delivery service between Batam and Singapore, providing a more dependable and efficient way of transporting products. The unique service is part of DHL's commitment to leverage several modes of transportation to reduce transit time for shipments between Batam and the rest of the globe, giving Batam clients a competitive advantage.

To quote Ahmad Mohamad, the Senior Technical Advisor of DHL Express Indonesia, “We provide reliable and efficient express shipping services between Batam and Singapore and to the rest of the world. This is a dedicated DHL Express boat to ensure a high level of reliability and quality service.”

This new Batam Yellow Boat has a 35-ton capacity and travels between Sekupang (Batam) and Brani Port (Singapore) two times a day and six days a week. The service enables shipments to reach the South Asia Hub in Singapore as well as the Central Asia Hub in Hong Kong's air network. What's more? The BTH-SIN-BTH Yellow Boat service also supports the economic growth of Batam and the Riau Islands.

The launch of the specialised DHL Batam Yellow Boat supports the government's plan to develop two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Batam. It is also in line with Batam's corporate expansion goal, which includes more data centres, appropriate digital economy services, the aviation industry, and further expanding the Asia Pacific's efficient manufacturing base.

Things to know when shipping parcels to Indonesia

Mobile phones, accessories & component

• Only two devices are exempted from licensing requirements If you are importing mobile phones and their accessories. Importing more than two pieces of such items is only allowed for companies with "Registered Importer" status of cellular phones.
  
• The shipper must declare International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) on the invoice for these three categories: 1) Cell Phone (HS 8517.12.00), 2) Handheld Computer (HS 8471.30.90), 3) Tablet Computer (HS 8471.30.90).

Drugs: prescription & Foodstuffs

• For importing prescriptions and foodstuff like grain, an official distribution licence and import permit (FDA Permit) from the National Agency of Drug & Food Control (BPOM) are needed. The import permit is only valid for one entry per shipment.
  
• For personal use, consignee name (not company/ business entity) and Importer Statement letter (Perka POM), including doctor’s prescription and proof of payment are required.
  
  
• For sample use, market testing is not permitted, and companies who wish to know how to send samples of medicines or vitamins from Singapore to Indonesia, recipients need to first register with the National Agency of Drug & Food Control (BPOM) to obtain an Import Notification Letter, known as Surat Keterangan Impor (SKI).
  
• Psychotropic importation is only permitted for the pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical wholesalers, or science institutions with an Import Approval Letter from the Directorate General of Indonesian Ministry of Health. The shipper must give a breakdown of the items clearly on the invoice.

Seeds & Coffee

• If you are importing seeds or coffee including samples, a quarantine permit from the Ministry of Agriculture is required.

Books (non-commercial use)

• If you’re sending books for non-commercial use, you’ll have to include the details of the items with a proper breakdown on the invoice.

Plant products, plants & Finished leather goods

• You’ll need a quarantine permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and a Phytosanitary certificate when sending items like plants, plant products, or finished leather goods.

X-ray machines

• If you’re shipping x-ray machines, you will have to contact the destination for its licences or permit necessities prior to any shipments.

Communications equipment

• For importing a used item or a secondhand item, you’ll have to undergo the process of providing supporting shipping documentation from the Ministry of Trade and SGS/Surveyor from the country of origin for customs clearance.

Films: entertainment (dvd, vhs)

• To import any movies, an import licence from the Indonesia Movie Censor Institute is required. Import duty will be calculated based on the length of the film.

Tobacco and tobacco products

• Quarantine permission from The Ministry of Agriculture and an original Phytosanitary certificate is required for such products.
  

Animal skins

• This includes leather raw materials as well (not finished goods) and the shipper must provide a Certificate of Origin and a Certificate of Health.
  
  
• Import licence and quarantine permit from the Director General of Agriculture Indonesia are needed for such products.

Fabrics (including samples and swatches)

• To ship these goods, the shipper must provide the unit of measure (UOM) in yards or metres of the textile material in their international shipping documents.

Here’s how you can send your parcel from Singapore to Indonesia

The shipping process is fairly methodical yet simple. If you follow the subsequent process in order, you should be able to send your package from Singapore to Indonesia easily. Here’s what you need to do:

The first thing you need to do is create an AWB followed by preparing your shipping invoice. It gives DHL Express as well as the customs officials a full overview of your shipment. For a smooth customs process, please ensure to put details and clear information on the invoice (product description, quantity, unit of measurement, currency, unit and total value, etc) and avoid using “sample” or any generic description. Otherwise, it will be flagged for further process by Custom and incur a delay of 72-96 hours.

Once you have settled these requirements, pack your shipment with our packaging guide to help prevent any damage during the journey. Finally, you can hand over your shipment to DHL Express. You can schedule the time and date of your parcel pickup, call our customer service or schedule a pickup from MyDHL + or drop it off at any DHL Express retail store near you. Once you hand over your shipment to us, you can easily track the delivery status using our tracking tool.

The benefits of using DHL Express for sending a parcel to Indonesia

Knowing Indonesia’s customs duty charges and required documentation for each and every type of goods will prevent delays in the shipping process and reduce the risk of any additional costs. So, fret no more and take advantage of DHL’s Express shipping service to ensure your shipment crosses the border smoothly and efficiently. The best part about using our courier service? DHL Express does the tedious work of customs clearance and completion of declarations on your behalf.

Here are some of the top advantages:

• DHL Express provides a wide range of door-to-door international shipping services for important documents, medicines and more  at the cheapest postage rates
• DHL Express has many shipping tools such as MyDHL+, MyBill, and ODD (On-Demand Delivery) that makes your shipping process easier and safer
• Customers receive real-time updates about their shipment’s clearance statuses
  
• With DHL’s flexible delivery options, customers are able to decide where and when to receive the package.
• DHL has a network coverage spread over 220 countries and territories
  

If you wish to send other items that aren’t mentioned above from Singapore to Indonesia, contact our Certified International Specialist. Be assured that your parcel will reach the destination seamlessly and in perfect condition.