Register Mobile Phone's IMEI to Use Local SIM Card in Indonesia
Haven't visited Indonesia for more than two years? Or is it your first time to come to Indonesia? You may not know that you need to register your mobile phone's IMEI (international mobile equipment identity) number with the Indonesian customs in order to use local SIM card in Indonesia if your mobile phone is bought outside of Indonesia. The rule, that was started since October 2020, aims to eradicate illegal phone trade in Indonesia.
For a short stay (less than 90 days), you can register your phone in person with your passport and the phone at any official office or shop of Indonesian mobile operator (e.g., Telkomsel). The 'tourist' registration is free of charge and valid for 3 months and can be extended for another 3 months.
For a long stay (more than 90 days), you would need to pay for the tax fee, that is 41% of the phone cost. For Indonesian citizen and KITAS holder with a tax number (NPWP), the tax amount will be 31% of the phone cost. Note that it would be better to do the IMEI registration at Customs Office at the airport in Jakarta or in Bali as you will get 500 USD discount of the phone cost. So it will be free of charge if the phone value is not over 500 USD. You will not get this benefit if you do the IMEI registration in the Tax Office outside the airport.
How to register the phone IMEI for long stay?
Fill in the registration form in the following website: https://www.beacukai.go.id/register-imei.html
Show the QR code to the officer of the Customs at the arrival airport
Pay the tax as quoted by the Custom officer
After paying the tax, your phone will be able to connect to Indonesian mobile network with local SIM card in 1-2 days.
*If you had used your phone in Indonesia with local SIM card before April 2020, there is a chance that the IMEI number has been registered. To check the IMEI registration status online, you may enter the IMEI number in the following website: https://imei.kemenperin.go.id/.
Planning to visit Indonesia soon? Check our trip ideas or create your own trip in EzeeGo.app.
Visiting Bali? You can purchase an Indonesian 4G SIM card in advance here and then pick it up in Bali Ngurah Rai airport.