At least 90% of Indonesia’s population, aged 16 to 64 years, have shopped online.
Noticeably, the nation’s tech-savvy customers are willing to spend more on convenience. This makes it a great time for US-based ecommerce players to expand their reach to this archipelago.
And to tap into the world’s eleventh largest market for ecommerce it’s important to have a good understanding of the shipping options from the US to Indonesia.
Whether you are a customer looking to import goods to Indonesia or a retailer with ambitions to sell to customers in this Southeast Asian country, this article will surely demystify the shipping landscape.
This guide provides information on how to ship a package from the US to Indonesia, plus tips on how ecommerce brands can better plan international shipping logistics with ShipBob.
Cost & delivery speeds for shipping to Indonesia from the US
You may want to import electronics, furniture, beauty, or health products to Indonesia. But if your shipping options are slow or expensive, you are likely to discard the idea of an overseas purchase immediately.
Then, there may be others who are okay with slow shipping, as long as the costs are really low.
Each retailer or buyer has its own shipping preferences. To understand which service suits you best, here is a snapshot of the costs and shipping time offered by different couriers.
Note: We calculated the following rates using each carrier’s pricing calculators for a consistent example of a 2.2 lbs package in January 2022. Exact prices are subject to change. These are general options for consumers’ shipping orders.
ShipBob’s exact rates for customers will vary as we charge an all-in “total fulfilment cost“ that includes picking, packing, and shipping, among other factors. To know what ShipBob offers when shipping to other countries like Indonesi, please request a quote here.
| Service | Price* | Delivery Time | |
| USPS | Priority Mail Express International | $84.15 | 3-5 business days |
| USPS | Priority Mail International | $64.45 | 11-21 business days |
| UPS | Worldwide Saver | $186.46 | 3-4 business days |
| UPS | Worldwide Expedited | $170.17 | 2-5 business days |
| DHL | One-Time Shipment | $135.52 | 6-10 business days |
| FedEx | International Priority | $205.78 | 1-3 business days |
| FedEx | International Economy | $197.73 | 2-5 business days |
*It is important to mention that USPS offers flat-rate shipping to Indonesia range from $40.55 to $106.25 for delivery within 6 to 10 days.
How to choose a shipping carrier
Each shipping carrier is different from the next. Some are speedy, others offer reliable tracking service and still, others have affordability as their USP.
But how do you identify the carrier that makes the most sense for your business?
This section helps understand the key features of the top four shipping providers:
Couriers | Pros | Cons |
| USPS |
|
|
| FedEx |
|
|
| UPS |
|
|
| DHL |
|
|
Shipping to Indonesia from the US with USPS
Over 46% of the world’s mail is sent by the USPS. That’s the sort of trust that the carrier inspires for domestic and international shipping. However, though it’s the most cost-effective carrier, USPS lacks sophisticated order tracking for international shipments.
But no matter how heavy or large the package, USPS offers the best rates to ship orders to Indonesia.
When to use USPS to ship from the US to Indonesia
USPS is the carrier to choose if you wish to send orders from the US to Indonesia at the lowest rates.
Especially if you have heavy shipments, its flat-rate solution ensures that for a particular parcel dimension, the rates remain the same – no matter what the weight. But, be mindful of the fact that customers of USPS often complain about delivery delays and poor parcel tracking features.
Shipping to Indonesia from the US with UPS
United Postal Service (UPS) is touted to be one of the world’s largest shipping couriers. Founded in 1907, This Fortune 500 company employs 495,000+ staff members and delivers parcels to 220+ countries.
UPS’s 24/7 international customer helpline, free customs support, and timely delivery are all reasons to trust it with your shipments to Indonesia.
When to use UPS to ship from the US to Indonesia
This Atlanta-based carrier is great for retailers that are particular about accurate last mile tracking and reliable order delivery. Notably, it has a significant US-wide presence. On the flip side, it does charge a lot more in shipping fees than other established players.
Shipping to Indonesia from the US with FedEx
FedEx offers a wide footprint across the US. Of the 220 countries it ships to internationally, Indonesia is also one. It is well-known as one of the first couriers to offer overnight delivery options.
There are helpful options provided by FedEx such as the International Shipping Assist tool, which simplifies shipping needs for businesses that engage regularly.
When to use FedEx to ship from the US to Indonesia
If you have B2B shipments that need to be sent to Indonesia, FedEx offers affordable bulk shipping rates. But be mindful that the shipping carrier, founded in 1971, does not have too many drop-off and pick-up points in the US.
Shipping to Indonesia from the US with DHL
DHL is an international shipping company, headquartered in Germany. It is a very reliable carrier that is driven to reduce carbon emissions in shipping operations.
This German carrier is also committed to green logistics and is environmentally conscious.
When to use DHL to ship from the US to Indonesia
If shipping costs are not a deterrent, you can enjoy eco-friendly order delivery to Indonesia with DHL. The company also offers shipping insurance and free parcel pickup services.
Duties & taxes when shipping to Indonesia from the US
If you wish to import goods into Indonesia it’s important to be aware of the import duties, VAT, and income tax that they need to pay.
- VAT charged is 10% for items over $3
- Income tax is 2.5% or more for certain products
- Custom duties ranges from 0 to 45%
Furthermore, you will be required to pay up to 200% luxury tax on the import of goods like luxury cars, yachts, luxury motorcycles, and branded shoes.
The following import duty rates are charged on the total value of the goods, which is a sum of the declared value of the goods and freight and insurance costs:
| Custom Duty % | Description |
| 35% | Bags and luggage |
| 15% | Computers and laptops |
| 45% | Fashion |
| 20% | Health and beauty |
Indonesia customs information
If you are a first-time importer, you may not have submitted all the documentation. Or you may be importing high-risk goods into Indonesia. In such cases, your goods may get delayed for the red channel inspection.
To avoid such a scenario, be sure to prepare the following paperwork: packing list, bill of lading, insurance policy, receipt of payment of import duty and import-related taxes, and HS codes of the products.
You also need to have a company in Indonesia or be an Importer of Record to legally import goods. To know more about the country’s customs department here.
Prohibited items when shipping to Indonesia
Ignorance of the law is no excuse. This is why you must check the list of Indonesia’s prohibited items and refrain from selling them to customers in the archipelago.
Knowingly or unknowingly commercially importing the following is likely to result in substantial sanctions and even imprisonment:
Items you can’t ship to Indonesia from the US |
| Articles of gold or silver, including tableware |
| Pens and pencils ornamented with precious metal |
| Clothing made out of linen |
| Natural silk goods |
| Children’s toys operated by steam or electricity |
| Leather goods |
| Coffee and coffee substitutes |
| Molasses and sugar substitutes |
What ecommerce businesses need to know about shipping to Indonesia
As a direct result of COVID-19, ecommerce flourished in Indonesia and accounted for 20% of Indonesia’s total retail sales.
This is a huge jump from 2019 when ecommerce only accounted for 4% of the sales volumes.
If you are considering selling your goods from the US to Indonesia, here are a few region-specific insights to be mindful of:
1. Offer multiple payment options
In 2020, preloading of cash value onto an e-payment application was the most popular means of payment for ecommerce in Indonesia. Bank transfer and credit card payment are also fairly popular payment methods.
Hence, retailers who wish to improve sales rates must ensure that shoppers have their favourite form of payment available on your site.
2. Build a mobile-friendly online presence
Mobile is expected to account for 64.5% of sales in 2025, up from 52.2% in 2017. So, your website and promotional materials should all be mobile optimised.
It would also help to have an intuitive mobile app ready to make it easier for shoppers to view your store and make purchases.
3. Use ShipBob’s 3PL services
Apart from managing the product, marketing, and sales, you also have quite the responsibility of ensuring that orders reach your customers in Indonesia on time. That’s a lot of work.
Luckily, there are 3PL companies like ShipBob that can partner with you to manage the order fulfilment workflow for you, end to end.
Partner with ShipBob, an international 3PL
ShipBob makes it to reach customers across the world with a remarkable brand experience.
Selling internationally can be challenging, time-consuming, and costly. But with ShipBob, you’re given everything you need to serve customers across the globe while saving time on logistics.
We not only take care of picking, packing, and shipping your orders to Indonesia, we also offer upfront fulfilment costs that include customs, duties, and additional taxes.
By partnering with ShipBob, you eliminate the need to manage retail fulfilment, logistics operations, and hire labour.
Working with ShipBob can actually turn logistics and warehousing into a revenue driver because you can increase sales and offer the shipping options, transit times, and delivery speeds that customers want.
The best part about partnering with ShipBob is you get time back to focus on more strategic initiatives, such as customer service and marketing.
“There’s a pair of Ombraz on every continent, so international shipping is very important to us — not only in terms of costs but also the customer experience. When I found out ShipBob was expanding, I knew we wanted to expand our physical footprint with them. This would offer us the ability to reduce taxes and tariffs that come with international shipping.
The process of getting inventory sent to ShipBob’s fulfilment centre location was very streamlined. ShipBob has helped us extensively throughout the process and we look forward to accelerating our growth outside of North America.”
Nikolai Paloni, Co-Founder of Ombraz Sunglasses
Ready to start shipping to Indonesia from the US? Get started with ShipBob.
Request a quote
Enter your details below and we’ll be in touch to learn more about your business.
Request Fulfilment Pricing
A fulfilment expert will get back to you shortly. Privacy Policy
Shipping to Indonesia FAQs
Here are answers to the top questions about shipping from the US to Indonesia.
What’s the cheapest way to ship to Indonesia from the US?
USPS Priority Mail International and Priority Mail Express International offer one of the cheapest ways to ship goods from the US to Indonesia.
What’s the cheapest way to ship large packages to Indonesia from the US?
For heavy packages, it is best to rely on USPS that offer a fixed rate service where the tariff doesn’t fluctuate no matter what the weight.
What’s the fastest way to ship a package to Indonesia from the US?
USPS GXG Envelopes or DHL International Priority ensure that your orders reach Indonesia from the US in 1 to 3 business days.
Do I have to pay customs duties and fees when shipping to Indonesia from the US?
The Indonesian customs authority does levy customs duty, VAT, and income tax on goods that enter the country’s borders. Also, very expensive imports attract a luxury goods tax.
What’s the easiest way to ship something to Indonesia from the US?
USPS, FedEx, DHL, and UPS offer convenient and easy order fulfilment services, for items that need to be shipped from the US to Indonesia.
