Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting Cars to Indonesia | GVE London – Blog

Let’s say you’ve got a buyer in Indonesia wanting to purchase your vehicle, and the offer is tempting. With the growing demand for premium cars, the car communities of both countries have started working together, exporting cars from the UK to Indonesia.

Or, let’s say you’re considering moving to Indonesia yourself and want your ride to tag along—how must you go about it? Well, allow us to provide you with a step-by-step guide on doing so.

Why Export Cars to Indonesia?

The Indonesian market is expanding, and the growing demand for luxury vehicles and supercars is making it quite a lucrative market for trade showroom as well as individuals. For sellers in the UK, this is a great opportunity to capture a whole new audience base.

Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting Cars to Indonesia

Alright, let’s get to the meat of the matter now, shall we? Here is all you need to know when exporting cars from the UK to Indonesia:

Know the Rules Before You Ship

Alas, despite the growing car culture, Indonesia still isn’t the easiest country to export cars to, as the government bans most used vehicles except for classics or particularly special cars. If you’re exporting a new car, it needs to meet Indonesian National Standards (SNI) for safety and emissions. Get this wrong, and customs will send the car back. Furthermore, the buyer in Indonesia must have an Importer Identification Number (API) issued by the Ministry of Trade. Otherwise, customs will reject it.

Choose the Right Car

If you’re importing for business and not personal use, remember that not all cars are in demand. Some brands have a strong presence and high resale value, whilst others struggle due to a lack of service options, heavy import taxes, and poor market reception.

Understand the Import Taxes

This is where things start to get rather expensive, as Indonesia isn’t lenient with taxes. These include:

• Import duty (around 40–50% for luxury cars)
• Luxury Goods Sales Tax (PPnBM) (varies based on engine size)
• Value Added Tax (VAT) (usually 11%)

This means a car priced at around £150,000 would essentially cost over £300,000 once it arrives in Indonesia. Make sure the buyer is aware of this to avoid an uncomfortable situation.

Work with a Reputable Shipping Company

Nobody wants a damaged vehicle upon arrival. So, work with companies, trade showrooms, or luxury car exporters like GVE London, and select one with experience in handling high-end vehicles. You don’t want to trust someone with no track record of working with supercars or luxury cars—that’s a disaster waiting to happen. Also, insurance is a must. You don’t want to skip that.

There are multiple shipping options, but for high-end vehicles, opt for container shipping. It’s more expensive but much safer.

Prepare the Paperwork

Paperwork—everybody’s favourite pastime. Well, no matter our opinions on it, missing or incorrect documents will only result in delays, fines, or even the car being sent back. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Bill of Lading – Confirms the car has been shipped.
• Commercial Invoice – Lists the value of the car for tax purposes.
• Packing List – Details of what’s inside the shipment.
• Certificate of Origin – Proves where the car was manufactured.
• Import Permits & Compliance Certificates – Required by Indonesian authorities.

Clearing Indonesian Customs

Finally, when the car arrives on Indonesian soil, it must clear customs. Officials will check the documents, verify everything is in order, and calculate the final bill. This process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Once that’s done, the buyer needs to register the car with the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to obtain licence plates and legal approval before driving it on the road.

Conclusion

With the right preparation and planning, you can ship your car to Indonesia successfully. If, however, you’d rather not go through the hassle of it all, contact a supercar showroom or a trade showroom like GVE London. We specialise in exporting vehicles from the UK, and high-end vehicles happen to be our niche.