IMEI Registration Cost in Indonesia: How Much You Pay

Many people think there is a “registration fee”, but the reality is simpler: IMEI registration itself is free, and the only money you might pay is import duty and taxes depending on your phone’s value and your situation.

Is There a Fee to Register IMEI in Indonesia?

No. IMEI registration is free (no service fee).

However, you may still be required to pay import duty and import taxes for the device as part of customs obligations.

So when people ask “how much does IMEI registration cost?”, what they really mean is:

How much import duty and tax will Customs charge for my phone when I register it?

When IMEI Registration Cost 0

Under Indonesia’s updated passenger rules (PMK 34/2025), personal goods brought by passengers get an allowance up to USD 500 (FOB) per person per arrival.

• If your phone’s customs value is within the USD 500 allowance, then it is not charged import duty and import taxes.
• If it is above USD 500, then only the value above USD 500 is taxed.

Read more: Using a Mobile Phone in Indonesia Without IMEI Registration

What Taxes Apply If Your Phone is Above the USD 500 Allowance?

For phones brought as passenger baggage, Bea Cukai explains the current charges as:

• Import duty (Bea Masuk): 10%
• VAT (PPN): 12%
• Income tax on import (PPh Impor): exempted for passengers

Important note: These rates are for the passenger mechanism. (Rules and rates can differ for shipments or other channels.)

Simple Cost Formula

To estimate your payment when your phone is above the allowance:

• Taxable value (in USD) = Phone value – USD 500 allowance
• Convert taxable value to IDR using the official customs exchange rate used at the time.
• Estimated charges:
  • Import duty ≈ 10% of taxable value (IDR)
  • VAT ≈ 12% of (taxable value + import duty)

This is an estimate for planning. Customs can adjust value based on documentation and their valuation rules.

Example Calculation

Example: You bring a phone worth USD 900.

• Allowance: USD 500
• Taxable portion: USD 400

Assume Customs exchange rate ≈ IDR 15,800 per USD (example only).

• Taxable value: 400 × 15,800 = IDR 6,320,000
• Import duty (10%): IDR 632,000
• VAT (12% of taxable value + duty): 12% × (6,320,000 + 632,000) = IDR 834,240

Estimated total to pay: IDR 1,466,240

Again, the final number depends on the official exchange rate and accepted phone value at Customs.

Read more: Declaring Mobile Phone in Indonesia

Common “How Much Will I Pay?” Scenarios

Scenario A: You bought a mid-range phone overseas (under USD 500)

You usually pay 0 (covered by allowance).

Scenario B: You bought a flagship phone overseas (well above USD 500)

You pay 10% duty + 12% VAT on the portion above USD 500.

Scenario C: You bought the phone in Indonesia

Bea Cukai IMEI registration is for overseas-obtained devices (imports). Domestic purchases are handled through local distribution channels, not passenger IMEI registration.

Key Reminders to Avoid Surprises

• IMEI registration is free, but taxes may apply.
• The USD 500 passenger allowance is the big factor that often makes the cost 0.
• For passenger-baggage phones above the allowance, the typical charges are 10% duty + 12% VAT, and no PPh import (passenger channel).

Alternative If You Do Not Want to Pay Customs Fees

If you prefer not to pay Customs fees for permanent IMEI registration, there is a practical alternative for short-term stays.

When you buy a Telkomsel tourist eSIM or SIM card from BaliEasy, your device can receive a temporary IMEI activation period of 30 days, counted from activation.

How this works in practice:

• First 30 days:
  Your phone works normally with Telkomsel signal and internet in Indonesia.
• After 30 days:
  The Telkomsel number remains active, but the device will stop receiving Telkomsel signal and internet because the IMEI becomes blocked again.
• Second month:
  You can purchase a new eSIM or SIM card to activate another 30-day IMEI period.
• Third month:
  You can still purchase another new eSIM or SIM card for another 30-day activation.

Important limitations to note:

• One passport can register up to 3 numbers per provider.
• One device typically has two IMEIs (for eSIM-capable phones).
• Each IMEI can only be activated twice via this tourist eSIM or SIM card method.