Indonesia Updates Import-Export Transit Rules Effective August 30

Indonesia's Ministry of Finance has introduced a new regulation, PMK 51 Tahun 2026, concerning the transit and transshipment of imported and exported goods. This regulation, which replaces PMK Nomor 216/PMK.04/2019, is set to take effect on August 30, 2026, following a 30-day transition period. The ministry aims to enhance customs services and oversight through this updated framework.

Budi Prasetiyo, Head of the Sub-directorate of Public Relations and Counseling at the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, stated that PMK 51/2026 refines previous rules while balancing service convenience with effective supervision. The updates are based on feedback from customs offices, monitoring and evaluation results, and recommendations from functional supervisory bodies. The regulation is designed to provide legal certainty, improve services and oversight, and safeguard state finances.

"We urge service users to utilize the period before this regulation becomes effective to understand the changes and prepare their business processes," Prasetiyo advised. Understanding the core mechanisms of transit and transshipment is crucial for businesses. Transit involves transporting goods through a customs office without unloading, while transshipment requires unloading before onward transport.

Several key improvements are outlined in PMK 51/2026. Notably, the regulation expands the function of loading permits for transit activities outside customs areas. This allows such documents to serve as permits for storing goods in locations treated as temporary storage facilities if immediate loading is not possible, ensuring continued customs oversight. Additionally, the regulation accommodates the transshipment of repair parts for transportation means.

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We urge service users to utilize the period before this regulation becomes effective to understand the changes and prepare their business processes.