overview
From 2020, specifically from 18 April 2020, a new law has come into force to restrict grey imports of new phones and tablets, which impacts the use of imported devices by Indonesian mobile operators. Suppose you are traveling to Bali (or Indonesia in general) for more than three months and want to use your phone or tablet for local mobile internet. In that case, you must register your device, declare it at customs on arrival, and pay a relatively high tax. How high is this tax, and which devices are covered? And what happens if you don't register your phone on arrival? All questions are answered in this Guide.
This Guide is divided into the following sections:
Information
As mentioned in the overview, any tourist who wants to use their mobile phone or tablet with Indonesian mobile operators and their data (which we recommend) after 90 days in Bali must undergo the process of registering the IMEI of the device (ideally) on arrival and paying the import tax. The tax is only payable on devices purchased from April 2020 onwards. If your device is older, the tax does not apply. Only the IMEI needs to be registered.
💡 Tip: If you don't want to register your phone, you can still use it after 90 days with public or hotel Wi-Fi networks or your home roaming provider, but this can get expensive.
❗If you don't register the IMEI and pay the tax (in case it applies to your device), you won't be able to use mobile data from local operators after 90 days of staying in Bali.❗
Basic Information
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One person can bring/register a maximum of 2 devices (phones or tablets)
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If you register your device on arrival or within five days, you will receive a USD 500 discount on the import tax deduction.
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If you register later, six days or more after arrival, you will pay tax on the total value of the equipment.
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The tax is calculated as 40 % of the device's value.
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For KITAS visa holders, the tax is 30 %.
Examples of Tax Calculation
Example 1: You import one phone worth USD 400. If you register the phone on arrival (or within five days), you will not pay any tax. If you register the phone later, you will pay tax at 40 % of the total value of USD 400, which means USD 160.
Example 2: You import one phone worth USD 1,000. If you register the phone on arrival (or within five days), you will pay a tax of USD 500, which is USD 200. If you register your phone later, you will pay a 40 % tax on the total value of USD 1,000, which is USD 400.
If you bring in two phones or a phone and a tablet, the USD 500 discount is calculated on the total value of the devices. It is not discount on each device. If you are buying the used phone, bring a copy of the bill of sale that includes the IMEI number. The customs officer will use your actual price, not the price of a new device. Alternatively, the customs officer will look online and determine the current value of the same phone based on the offers from online sellers.
💡 Tip: If you are planning to go to Bali for a more extended period soon and want to get a new expensive phone, consider whether it wouldn't be more convenient for you to get a phone in Bali. Phones purchased in Indonesia are already automatically registered; no tax is required.
IMEI Registration Procedure
Procedure for registering an IMEI phone in Bali (Indonesia):
1. Filling out the online questionnaire at this site: https://www.beacukai.go.id/register-imei.html
Online IMEI registration form (link)
⚠️ Warning: If you have a phone with two SIM card slots, please enter both IMEI numbers in the registration form.
You can also use the mobile app (Android only) to complete the form:
How do you view the IMEI number of your device?
Android: Dial *#06# in the Phone app, and the IMEI will appear on display.
Apple: In "Settings," go to About phone. Then look for the IMEI number(s).
Once you complete and submit the questionnaire, you will receive a QR code to save on your phone. The same QR code will also be e-mailed to you.
You can fill out the questionnaire before you fly to Bali or upon arrival at the airport, where you will have to find a working Wi-Fi network or use expensive roaming.
2. Personal visit to the customs office at the airport
Upon arrival, you must go to the customs counter at the airport in person. Look for the sign CUSTOMS BEA CUKAI. It's practically impossible to miss. You'll walk through and show customs declarations, among other things, see the First Time in Bali Guide.
Here they will require you to:
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The mobile phone/tablet you are registering
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QR code from online registration
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Your passport
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Boarding pass from the flight you took to Indonesia
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The proof of purchase for your phone, if you have it
Once the customs officer has completed the registration of your device, you should receive a confirmation e-mail, which usually arrives with a delay of several hours.
Bali airport customs
Here is a short video of the process directly from the customs officers:
If you have already been to Indonesia after 2020 and registered your device, you do not need to repeat this procedure. You can find out if your device is already registered by visiting this website: https://www.beacukai.go.id/cek-imei.html
💡 Interesting fact: We registered our phones in 2020, and although we use mobile data and the phones work normally, they show up as unregistered on the IMEI check page. So the reliability of the IMEI registration verification page is questionable.
In case you do not register your IMEI directly at the airport upon arrival in Bali, you will need to go to the Customs office at this address to register:
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