Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Indonesia
Indonesia bans used-vehicle imports — so we built this lane around what works: used machinery under permit, new equipment for mining and energy projects, and project cargo into Tanjung Priok and Surabaya.
Indonesia at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $3,000+
- Ocean transit
- 22–30 days (West Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Jakarta (Tanjung Priok) · Surabaya
- Import duty + VAT
- Used vehicles banned · machinery 0–10% + 11% VAT
- Used machinery
- Importable with permit
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Indonesia: What You Need to Know
Indonesia prohibits the import of used vehicles, and new cars face a 50% duty plus a luxury goods tax (PPnBM) that can reach 95% or more on large engines, stacked on 11% VAT — numbers that make personal car imports a non-starter, and we won't pretend otherwise. The opportunity in Southeast Asia's largest economy is industrial: used capital machinery can be imported with the right permits, and Indonesia's mining, palm oil, and energy sectors buy U.S. equipment constantly.
Tanjung Priok in Jakarta handles roughly two-thirds of Indonesia's container traffic, with Surabaya's Tanjung Perak covering East Java's industrial base. Used machinery needs an importer identification number and a pre-shipment or surveyor inspection — paperwork we coordinate before loading so cargo doesn't stall at anchor. Heavy and oversized units for mining sites in Kalimantan and Sumatra move on flat racks and breakbulk with onward barge connections we arrange end to end.
Key takeaway
Don't ship cars to Indonesia — used vehicles are banned and new ones carry up to 95%+ luxury tax. Do ship machinery: used units clear with import permits and surveyor inspection, new equipment runs 0–10% duty + 11% VAT, and project cargo for mining and energy is our core lane.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Indonesia
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | Jakarta (Tanjung Priok) | 22–28 days | Weekly |
| Oakland, CA | Jakarta (Tanjung Priok) | 24–30 days | Bi-weekly |
| Seattle / Tacoma | Surabaya | 25–31 days | Bi-weekly |
| Houston, TX | Jakarta (Tanjung Priok) | 34–41 days | Bi-weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Jakarta (Tanjung Priok) | 35–43 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Indonesia from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Indonesia, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Indonesia fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Indonesia
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | Custom quote | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $3,000 – $4,200 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $4,000 – $5,700 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | Custom quote | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Estimate your landed cost to Indonesia →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentIndonesia Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used vehicles | Prohibited | — | Import ban, all categories |
| New vehicles | 50% | 11% | + PPnBM luxury tax to 95%+ |
| Used machinery (permitted) | 0–10% | 11% | Surveyor inspection required |
| New machinery & equipment | 0–5% | 11% | Master-list projects exempt |
| Project & breakbulk cargo | Case-assessed | 11% | Mining & energy lanes active |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Sending used equipment to Indonesia?
Used capital machinery is one of the few used-goods categories Indonesia admits — with an importer ID, a technical recommendation, and surveyor inspection before shipment. We sequence that paperwork against your sailing date so the permit is active when the vessel arrives, not weeks after.
What We Ship to Indonesia
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Indonesia's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Indonesia.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Indonesia.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Indonesia
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Indonesia Routes
Los Angeles / Long Beach → Jakarta (Tanjung Priok)
22–28 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Oakland, CA → Jakarta (Tanjung Priok)
24–30 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Seattle / Tacoma → Surabaya
25–31 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Jakarta (Tanjung Priok)
35–43 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Indonesia Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
22–30 days (West Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Jakarta (Tanjung Priok) · Surabaya.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Indonesia. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Used vehicles are banned outright, and new cars face a 50% duty plus a luxury goods tax (PPnBM) that can reach 95% or more on large engines, stacked on 11% VAT. Those numbers make personal car imports a non-starter, and we won't pretend otherwise. The real opportunity in Southeast Asia's largest economy is industrial — used capital machinery and project cargo, not cars.
Yes — used capital machinery is one of the few used-goods categories Indonesia admits, which is why it's our core lane there. It requires an importer identification number, a technical recommendation, and a surveyor (pre-shipment) inspection. We sequence that paperwork against your sailing date so the permit is active when the vessel arrives, not weeks after. New equipment runs 0–5% duty, and master-list project equipment can be exempt.
Heavy and oversized units for mining sites in Kalimantan and Sumatra move on flat racks and as breakbulk, with onward barge connections we arrange end to end. Tanjung Priok in Jakarta handles roughly two-thirds of national container traffic, while Surabaya's Tanjung Perak covers East Java's industrial base. Indonesia's mining, palm oil, and energy sectors buy U.S. equipment constantly — this is where the volume is.
About 22–30 days from the West Coast. We sail weekly from Los Angeles/Long Beach to Jakarta (Tanjung Priok), with biweekly Oakland service, biweekly Seattle/Tacoma service to Surabaya, and biweekly Houston (34–41 days) and Savannah (35–43 days) from the East. Tanjung Priok is the main gateway; Surabaya serves East Java. For permitted used machinery, we align the inspection and importer paperwork to the sailing so nothing stalls at anchor.
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