Moving To Indonesia

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Indonesia is a country located in Southeast Asia, comprising more than 17,000 islands. It is the world’s fourth most populous country and has a diverse culture influenced by its history as a Dutch colony and Islamic and Hindu religions.

Moving to Indonesia from USA

Indonesia is known for its beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and rich agriculture, including coffee, tea, and spices. The country is also home to many unique and endangered species, such as the orangutan, elephant, and Javan rhinoceros. Indonesia has a growing economy and is a popular tourist destination.

The International Sea & Air Shipping Advantages

An international relocation is a complex move. The legal process involved in it, the time and cost of moving your belongings – all things considered, it is always better to depend on an international moving expert.

At International Sea & Air Shipping we have years of experience in offering high quality international relocation services across the globe. With us you can look forward to customised moving services that will cover A-to-Z for your international relocation to Indonesia from the USA.

Our team of professionals will ensure that all services like packing of your household goods, choosing the right container and freight services are done properly. We will also provide valuable advice on the cost of relocation with our free moving quotations.

The added advantage of hiring our professional services is that you get high-quality international relocation services at an affordable rate. This will further reduce your challenges of moving to Indonesia from the USA.

About Indonesia

Located in Southeast Asia, Indonesia is part of the Malay Archipelago. It has a total of 18,108 islands-with only 6,000 that are inhabited. Indonesia shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Malaysia. Neighboring countries include Singapore, Philippines, Australia, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world, with a population of approximately 237,424,363 – with half of the population residing in Java.

Indonesia is a republic, with an elected legislature and president and is a member of ASEAN and the G-20 major economies. The country is home to nearly 300 ethnic groups, including Indian, Arabic, Chinese, and European. It also has the world’s largest Muslim population.

Customs Regulations for Indonesia

  • Passport with visa pages – original
  • Work Permit – valid for at least 12 months
  • Residence Permit (KITAS card) – original, valid for at least 12 months
  • Pack List – original in English plus one copy faxed to service agent in advance
  • Non-negotiable Bill of Lading – copy
  • Bill of Lading/Air Waybill – original plus copy, copy faxed prior to vessel’s arrival
  • Letter of Authorization to Destination Agent (Surat Kuasa)

For Returning Indonesian Citizens:

  • Passport and clear photocopy of photo page with details
  • Letter from Indonesian Embassy at origin: states original arrival date abroad, return date to Indonesia, and states customer is returning with household goods shipment
  • Surat Kuasa – Authorization letter allowing Destination Agent to arrange Customs clearance
  • Letter of Assignment and Reassignment by customer’s employer or sponsoring company
  • Bill of Lading/Air Waybill – original
  • Diploma or School Certificate for returning students

IF ALL THE ABOVE ARE NOT PROVIDED, HEAVY DUTIES, PENALTIES AND DEMURRAGE WILL APPLY.

  • Customers must be in country for the Customs clearance process. Shipments will be completely inspected.
  • Household goods must be in possession of the customer for at least one year and be used by the customer privately and not for resale in Indonesia.
  • Shipment must arrive in Indonesia within three months of issuance of KITAS and IKTA cards. Only one air and one sea shipment of household goods are allowed duty-free.
  • Returning Indonesian citizens must have lived abroad for a minimum of one year and must have been in possession of household goods items for at least two years, with continued use of items in Indonesia to be allowed duty-free.
  • All boxes and shipments should be labeled with the name of the shippers – any other name or nickname can jeopardize clearance.
  • If all documents are not provided the shipment cannot be cleared through Customs.
  • New articles and items not listed on inventory
  • Medications – prescription documents required
  • Materials in Chinese (pictures, texts, tapes, etc.) will require proper permits and are subject to censorship and confiscation
  • Antiques
  • CDs, DVDs, audio tapes and books – Provide a detailed list of titles and authors
  • Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances
  • Pornographic materials
  • Politically sensitive and subversive materials
  • Weapons (including air guns), firearms, explosives and ammunition
  • Reproduction of copyright materials
  • Alcoholic beverages – 1 liter of alcohol is allowed per adult family member, additional quantities will be confiscated and destroyed
  • Foodstuffs
  • Animal skins
  • Cordless telephones
  • Motorized vehicles of any kind

Prohibited except for certain diplomats

  • Pets are allowed to be imported into Indonesia after a government quarantine of 14 days in a quarantine facility.
  • Pets are also subject to duties and import taxes
  • Required documents include:
    • Copy of owner’s passport
    • Health certificate – dated and issued within five days of arrival
    • Rabies vaccination certificate – dated at least 30 days prior to arrival but not older than one year
    • Import permit – issued prior to animals’ arrival into Indonesia from Indonesian Department of Agriculture. Application for import permit should be made two weeks prior to arrival.

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 315-4170

Moving to Indonesia, things you need to know

Moving to Indonesia from the USA can be a complex process, involving visa requirements, documentation, and cultural differences. Before making the move to Indonesia from the USA you need to research Indonesian immigration laws, obtain proper visa, and understand local customs.

You can also join the several online forums available for expats and seek advice from other expats living in Indonesia to aid in your preparation.

Let us discuss the major important information you need to make a successful move to Indonesia from the USA.

Visa for moving to Indonesia from the USA

When you are planning to move to Indonesia from the USA note that you will need a proper visa to justify your reason for entering the country.

Work visa

For obtaining a work visa to work and stay in Indonesia there are proper processes that you need to follow. First of all, you cannot apply on your own for a work visa in Indonesia. Your employer in Indonesia has to apply for a work visa on your behalf.

However, even before an Indonesian company can hire expats, they have to apply for a special work permit, which is called an IMTA. A company will be awarded this permit only when they can prove that foreign nationals are required to fill certain positions. This is because the Indonesian government gives more priority to the local applicants than the foreign nationals.

Once your employer obtains the IMTA then they can apply for the VITAS which is a limited stay visa. This also your Indonesian employer has to apply on your behalf. They will first have to seek approval from the Ministry of Manpower who will send the recommendation letter to the General Directorate of Immigration in Jakarta.

So, as you can see, obtaining a work visa in Indonesia can be complex and it is advisable that you secure a job before moving to Indonesia from the USA.

Residency Permit

When you move to Indonesia from the USA, after you have arrived in the country you are required to visit the regional immigration office within 7 days. During this visit, you must present your passport and embarkation card to undergo fingerprinting. Here you have to exchange your visa for a limited stay permit card, which is also known as KITAS. The issuance of the KITAS typically takes approximately two weeks.

Initially, the KITAS permit is valid for one year and can be renewed annually for up to five years. After this five-year period, you have the option to apply for a permanent stay permit card known as KITAP. Additionally, as part of this process, you will receive a Foreigner’s Control and Supervision book (POA). This book serves as a record to monitor any changes in your immigration status, such as changes in address, employment, marital status, and more.

Top reasons to move to Indonesia from the USA

Indonesia is a global tourist hub and a melting pot of different cultures. There is a very vibrant and diverse expat community to be found in this country. There are quite a few reasons that will add additional perks for your move to Indonesia from the USA.

Here are some of the best reasons to move to Indonesia from the USA:

Rich cultural heritage

Indonesia has rich religious and cultural heritages that offer an extensive opportunity to explore the country and its treasures.

Diverse landscape and natural beauty

Indonesia is well-known for its pristine beaches, sea-side resorts, scuba diving opportunities, hiking through the tropical forests and more.

Affordable cost of living

You can explore the amazing gastronomic scene of Indonesia at a very low cost compared to what you need to pay in the USA for restaurant hopping.

Friendly locals and a welcoming atmosphere

Indonesia boasts a vibrant lifestyle and the locals are generally welcoming towards the expat community. This offers an easy transition for you when you move to Indonesia from the USA.

Growing economy and business opportunities

The country offers good employment and business opportunities as the economy is one of the most fast growing one.

Rent affordability

Although finding the right accommodation can be a bit of a challenge the cost of living and accommodation is affordable in Indonesia. This means less headache for you.

Access to quality healthcare

You can access decent healthcare across the country and especially in the major cities.

Blend of modern and traditional lifestyle

This is one great aspect of Indonesia. You literally get to see East meets west in the cultural exchanges here.