opening logistic company in Indonesia

Opening a Logistic Company in Indonesia: Benefits from E-Commerce Boom

  • InCorp Editorial Team
  • 18 June 2021
  • 4 minute reading time

Indonesia is the fastest-growing internet economy in Southeast Asia, with over 170 million internet users. In 2020, the Gross Market Value of the e-commerce industry stood at US$40 billion and is expected to rise to US$83 billion by 2025, making it an opportune moment for investors to open a logistic company in Indonesia.

According to the “Indonesia Consumption Basket” survey, 2020, e-commerce customers in the country have increased to 66% since the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak as the result of social restriction policy. In addition, 90% of Indonesian internet users (accounting for 175.4 million people in early 2020) have made purchases through online platforms, making Indonesia the country with the highest rate of e-commerce usage in Southeast Asia.

The growing number of e-commerce users is driving its players to rent or acquire bigger logistic storage space as online retailers tend to have a larger array of products and require more comprehensive warehousing and delivery system to accommodate and adapt to the changing business trends.

Current scenario of Indonesia’s Logistics Industry

The Logistic Performance Index scored Indonesia at 3.3 out of 6, much lower than its peers in ASEAN, as per a World Bank report in 2018. Lack of transportation infrastructure and complicated regulations are some of the major bottlenecks that need to be addressed by the government.

However, with the entry of big institutional investors like GIC and logistics developers like LOGOS and ESR, Indonesia is expected to demonstrate tremendous potential in Asia’s e-commerce market. Moreover, advancement in technology and the rising demand for warehouses by e-commerce companies will further spike the emergence of having an effective supply chain management system in place.

Ease In Regulations And Improving Infrastructure To Bolster Economic Growth

Ease In Regulations

In order to foster the growth of the economy, the government of Indonesia employed robust measures and brought about amendments in regulations as discussed below.

Job Creation Law

Indonesian President enacted the Job Creation Law, also known as the “Omnibus Law,”. It aims to simplify the licensing process and harmonize various laws and regulations in order to attract investment and generate employment. The law allows foreign companies to establish posting/logistic/delivery service businesses without having to partner with a domestic firm, as the previous law stipulated.

Positive Investment List

In addition to the Job Creation Law, the new Positive Investment List also liberalizes some logistic-related sector for 100% foreign ownership:

KBLI* Number Business Line Negative Investment List Positive Investment List
53202 Courier Agent Activities Maximum 49% of foreign ownership 100% foreign ownership
52101 Warehousing activities Maximum 67% of foreign ownership 100% foreign ownership
*Klasifikasi Baku Lapangan Usaha Indonesia (Indonesia Standard Industrial Classification)

Improving Infrastructure

President Joko Widodo had previously launched a US$350 billion infrastructure plan aimed at removing existing bottlenecks and improving infrastructure access outside of Java’s main island.

However, for the years 2020 to 2024, he presented an even more ambitious plan. Hundreds of projects totaling more than $400 billion will be funded. Twenty-five new airports, as well as power plants, waste-to-energy plants, and a slew of mass-transit projects, are included in the plan. Building the foundations for a new capital city is also a part of the proposal.

logistic company in indonesia

How To Obtain License for Logistic Company in Indonesia

According to Ministry of Transportation Regulation Number 49/2017, any business that involves warehousing, sorting, packing, shipping, or other related activities must obtain a Transportation Services Business License (locally known as Surat Izin Usaha Jasa Pengurusan Transportasi or SIUJPT). A business must apply for a SIUJPT with the governor of the province in which it operates.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Having a Deed of Incorporation (Local PT/PT PMA)
  • Having a Legal entity certificate issued by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights
  • Having minimum capital of US$4 million
  • Having an office building certificate or building renting receipt for at least 2 years.
  • Having NPWP (Indonesian Taxpayer Identification Number)
  • Having Certificate of Company Registration
  • ID or KITAS of Company Director
  • Having an operational vehicle
  • The licensing process takes 14 working days

Open Logistic Company in Indonesia with Cekindo

With colossal market potential and considerable support from the government, foreign investment in the logistics sector is more favorable than ever. However, breaking into a new market overseas might be intimidating. Cekindo offers a comprehensive range of solutions to ease the company registration process and help you obtain the required licenses efficiently.

Our legal consulting services will help your business settle and comply with applicable laws and regulations in Indonesia. Experts at Cekindo also help in carrying out Due Diligence activities to help you assess the credibility of the company or partner you want to invest in or work with.

To know more about how Cekindo’s solutions can help you register your logistics company in Indonesia, please fill out the form below or talk to an expert on our chatbot.

Pandu Biasramadhan

Senior Consulting Manager at InCorp Indonesia

An expert for more than 10 years, Pandu Biasramadhan, has an extensive background in providing top-quality and comprehensive business solutions for enterprises in Indonesia and managing regional partnership channels across Southeast Asia.

Get in touch with us.

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Disclaimer: The information is provided by PT. Cekindo Business International (“InCorp Indonesia/ we”) for general purpose only and we make no representations or warranties of any kind.

We do not act as an authorized government or non-government provider for official documents and services, which is issued by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia or its appointed officials.

We do not promote any official government document or services of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, including but not limited to, business identifiers, health and welfare assistance programs and benefits, unclaimed tax rebate, electronic travel visa and authorization, passports in this website.

Frequent Asked Questions

There are three things business owners need to consider before setting up a business in Indonesia: the type of business entity, capital requirements, and regulations.

Indonesian regulations separate local companies from foreign companies. Generally, foreign-owned companies (PT PMA) have more limitations than their local counterparts (Local PT). However, to pursue more foreign direct investment in the country, the government has taken several bold initiatives to increase the ease of doing business and provide numerous attractive incentives for foreign investors.

There are two main types, namely, primary business licenses and non-primary business licenses. The primary ones commonly apply to various industries, such as general and industrial business licenses. Additional non-primary ones are included, depending on the operations of your business. Examples of non-primary business licenses are operational and commercial licenses.

Yes, you must apply for it to be able to issue work permits for your foreign employees. This permanent business license is also a prerequisite for the applications for other business licenses and import licenses.