Clearing Customs: How to Smoothly Import a Car from the UK to Indonesia | GVE London – Blog

The car showrooms in the UK house some of the greatest cars of all time. Models, old and new, that for one reason or another, just seem to never find their way into countries like Indonesia and other countries in Asia. However, thanks to the ability to import luxury cars from the UK, one no longer has to only dream about having their favourite car; it is entirely possible to get your hands on them now. Customs and tariffs often seem to be a deterrent, and they shouldn’t be. Let us tell you why.

Know your Customs & Tariffs

Once you’ve understood the big bad customs and tariffs, they do not seem so intimidating. However, the price of a vehicle can and does go up significantly thanks to them. Importing vehicles from the UK to Indonesia isn’t just shipping and show-off prices. Brace yourself. There’s:

• Import duty: typically 40–50% for luxury cars
• Value Added Tax (VAT), which is about 11% on CIF plus duty
• Income tax depending on your importer status (2.5–7.5%)

Do the maths on CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight), then punch in HS codes and engine sizes. You’ll find a £150k ride turning into a £300k landing cost once all’s applied.

Paperwork that Keeps Officials Happy

Officials need an excuse to reject your application. This results in penalties and delays. Both aren’t a good thing, and these small oversights cost way more than one realistically prepares for. So, get everything in order from the get-go. This includes:

• Bill of Lading – your master shipping document.
• Commercial Invoice – match every line item to the VIN.
• Certificate of Origin – proves manufacture in the UK for HS coding.
• Euro 4 Emissions Certificate – compulsory since 2023
• Importer Identification Number (API) – without it, no PIB submission
• PIB electronic declaration – lodged through the INSW portal before the vessel berths.

FYI, if your plan is to save money with a pre-owned gem, think again. Indonesia doesn’t allow used cars older than five years unless they’re classic-status. And even then? They need to be emissions-compliant and come with specialist permits.

Read Also: Key Steps and Tips to Navigating the International Vehicle Import Process

Decide on Your Shipping Method

Most buyers importing luxury cars from the UK choose to go with container shipping because it protects their car from the elements. Sure, it is pricier compared to RoRo shipping, but the peace of mind it brings knowing your car is safe from weather or theft risk is worth it to most. Alternatively, the cheaper RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) ships cost less, but your pride-and-joy is exposed during transit.

At the Dock: Customs clearance

Once your car touches Indonesian waters, here’s what happens:

• The customs broker files the PIB.
• The car gets labelled green, yellow, or red lane:
  • Green lane = quick electronic release
  • Yellow lane = check document details
  • Red lane = full physical inspection

If red-laned, boxes pop open; officers inspect chassis, engine, bodywork, emissions kit. That can stretch clearance to a week or more. To avoid this? Partner with an experienced supercar showroom or luxury car exporter in the UK. They know API registration, HS codes, PIB filings, and IND regulations. Firms like GVE London can significantly cut wait times and mistakes.

Final Thoughts

Bringing a car from the UK to Indonesia takes commitment. You must read up about the procedure, get in touch with the right people, pay attention to customs and tariffs and then, hopefully, your ride should arrive without any issues. Alternatively, just contact us here at GVE London. We’re a supercar showroom here in London, and not only do we have a massive collection of cars but help automotive enthusiasts, no matter where they are on this globe, get their hands on them. Furthermore, being enthusiasts, we not only perform the usual repairs and service but can work on customisation, modifications and detailing as well. To know more, hop on a call with us today!