Key figures (free to quote)
| Item | Reference figure |
|---|---|
| China HS heading (filing side) | 3808 — insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, plant-growth regulators, disinfectants |
| Indonesia 8-digit · insecticides (non-retail) | 38089199 — BM 5% · ACFTA 0% |
| Indonesia 8-digit · herbicides (non-retail) | 38089319 — BM 5% · ACFTA 5% |
| PPN (VAT) | 12% (INSW current reading) |
| PPh 22 · with / without API | 2.5% / 7.5% |
| Border control (Lartas) | 835 Ministry of Agriculture pesticide licence (named by active ingredient) + 871 Ministry of Health PKRT (household / aerosols only) |
| Registration permits | Trial 1 yr (extendable 2×) / Temporary ≤1 yr / Permanent 5 yr |
| Registration lead time | 18–24 months (incl. local field-efficacy + 12-commodity residue trials) |
| Lookup date | 2026-10-09 (INSW, code by code, readings kept verbatim) |
Readings above come from our INSW lookup on the date shown. Duty rates and restrictions change with new regulations, so the licensed PPJK must re-check each shipment in INSW and CEISA 4.0 against the rules in force before filing.
1. Why pesticides are a "triple gate" product
- The product must be registered. Any pesticide distributed, stored or sold in Indonesia first holds a Ministry of Agriculture registration — a market-access rule that applies to locally made pesticides too, not just imports.
- The company must be qualified. The importer is the registration holder, carrying an OSS-issued NIB (with API-U/API-P) and a 16-digit NPWP.
- The filing must be verified. At PIB filing, customs checks the Lartas codes — 835 for the agriculture pesticide licence, 871 for the health-ministry PKRT.
- Household pesticides add one more gate. Mosquito coils, aerosols and electric mats go through the Ministry of Health on top of agriculture.
- The chain is long and front-loaded. From registration to first import, a new formulation usually takes one and a half to two years — the timeline is itself a barrier.
2. Three gates: who regulates what
| Gate | Competent authority / platform | Basis in force |
|---|---|---|
| Product registration | Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) · Pesticide Commission (SimpeL system) | Permentan 43/2019 (repealed 39/2015 and 06/2018) |
| Importer standing | Investment Ministry OSS (NIB/API) + Trade Ministry INATRADE | MoT 16/2025 jo. 37/2025; GR 29/2021 |
| Customs filing | Directorate General of Customs (CEISA 4.0 / INSW) | PMK duty rules + INSW Lartas list |
| Household pesticides (second gate) | Ministry of Health (PKRT) | Permenkes 60/2017 jo. 234/2018 |
3. Duty and the tax elements
| Element | Reading |
|---|---|
| BM import duty (MFN) · insecticides 38089199 | 5% |
| BM import duty (MFN) · herbicides 38089319 | 5% |
| ACFTA · insecticides 38089199 | 0% |
| ACFTA · herbicides 38089319 | 5% |
| PPN (VAT) | 12% |
| PPh 22 · with API import licence | 2.5% |
| PPh 22 · without API | 7.5% |
| PPnBM (luxury goods tax) | N/A (not applicable) |
- MFN duty is 5% across the 3808 series; ACFTA differs by code — insecticides 0%, herbicides 5%, so check the schedule subheading by subheading before quoting.
- PPh 22 differs by a factor of three depending on API-U standing (2.5% vs 7.5%). Settle the importer's standing early.
- PPN reads 12% as the current statutory figure; general goods are taxed on a DPP of 11/12, so the effective burden is about 11%.
- Without API standing the importer pays 7.5% — choosing a qualified broker / importer is literally saving money.
4. HS codes and Lartas: insecticides vs herbicides
| Point of comparison | 38089199 — Insecticides (non-retail) | 38089319 — Herbicides (non-retail) |
|---|---|---|
| BM import duty (MFN) | 5% | 5% |
| ACFTA (FORM E) | 0% | 5% |
| PPN (VAT), as read | 12% | 12% |
| PPh 22 · with / without API | 2.5% / 7.5% | 2.5% / 7.5% |
| Border control | 835 (named ingredients) + 871 (household / aerosols) | none at the border |
| Post-border control | 835 + 871 | 835 (PGR named ingredients) |
| Key warning | 835 is named by active ingredient — check the list | no border flag ≠ no registration; the obligation still applies |
Compiled from our INSW readings of 2026-10-09. Applicability follows the regulations and the restriction list in force.
5. Three registration permits and the 18–24 month timeline
| Permit type | Validity | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Trial permit | 1 year (extendable twice, 1 year each) | No commercial distribution / use; normally the first step before a permanent permit |
| Temporary permit | ≤1 year | Issued when a pest outbreak occurs and no registered pesticide is available |
| Permanent permit | 5 years | Allows commercial distribution and import — commercial cargo must have this |
| Step | Statutory limit |
|---|---|
| Online submission (SimpeL) + administrative check | ≤3 working days |
| Technical evaluation (Pesticide Commission, monthly) | — |
| Plenary review (accept / postpone / reject) | rejection appealable once within 30 working days |
| Minister's decision | ≤90 working days |
| Total in practice | 18–24 months |
Field-efficacy trials must run in Indonesia and 12-commodity residue studies are mandatory; overseas GLP toxicology reports are accepted. The applicant must be an Indonesian legal entity.
Legal sources
- Permentan 43/2019 — pesticide registration (in force; repealed 39/2015 and 06/2018)
- PP 7/2026 — sustainable-agriculture implementing rule (repealed PP 7/1973 pesticides and five other PP)
- Permenkes 60/2017 jo. 234/2018 — PKRT household health products
- MoT 16/2025 jo. 37/2025 — API import licences
- 06/PERMENTAN/SR.330/1/2018 — cited by INSW 835, but repealed by 43/2019
Verification note (2026-10-09)
Our own code-by-code readings at INSW (insw.go.id), kept verbatim for traceability:
- 38089199 (other insecticides, non-retail): BM 5%, PPN 12%, PPh 22 2.5% with API / 7.5% without; ACFTA 0% (2023 table). Border: 871 Izin Edar Alat Kesehatan / PKRT (Permenkes 60/2017 jo. 234/2018, household / aerosols only) + 835 pesticide licence (06/PERMENTAN/SR.330/1/2018, aerosol fungicides with thiram / benomyl only); post-border the same two.
- 38089319 (other herbicides, non-retail): BM 5%, PPN 12%, PPh 22 2.5% with API / 7.5% without; ACFTA 5% (2023 table). Border list empty; post-border 835 (plant-growth-regulator named ingredients such as gibberellic acid, paclobutrazol).
- Important: the 835 entry on INSW cites 06/PERMENTAN/SR.330/1/2018, which Permentan 43/2019 has repealed (confirmed via FAO/FAOLEX) — the system label lags, but the "mandatory registration / licence" obligation survives under the law in force. No border flag does not mean no registration.
- The ACFTA preferential rates displayed on INSW are historical values — verify against the schedule in force, do not promise from them.
Data source
Our own code-by-code INSW lookup (38089199 / 38089319). Working file version 2026-10-09 · source: INSW national trade repository insw.go.id/intr
Related pages
Garlic (seed vs table): a sibling agricultural-compliance pageNote for this page: the underlying verification note was recorded in Chinese at the time of the lookup and can be shared on request. Readings are snapshots from a specific lookup date — not a filing guarantee.
This page summarizes field practice and publicly available Indonesian import rules for general business reference only—it is not legal, customs, or pricing advice. Customs provisions, tariff rates, and licensing requirements keep changing, so the rules in force at the time and the official processing result always prevail. Wuhan Freedom International Logistics Co., Ltd. · Licensed PPJK in Indonesia · Jakarta / Semarang / Wuhan.
Frequently asked questions
Does importing pesticides into Indonesia require registration first?
Yes. Any pesticide distributed, stored or sold in Indonesia must first hold a Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) registration, under Permentan 43/2019. A foreign factory cannot apply directly — an Indonesian legal entity must hold the registration and act as importer.
What is the import duty on pesticides? Does ACFTA remove it?
MFN duty is 5%. ACFTA differs by code: insecticides 38089199 read 0%, herbicides 38089319 read 5% — not zero across the board, so check the schedule in force code by code. PPN 12%; PPh 22 is 2.5% with an API and 7.5% without.
Are household pesticides the same as agricultural pesticides?
No. Mosquito coils, aerosols and electric mats need a Ministry of Health PKRT licence (Permenkes 60/2017) on top of the agriculture registration. Consumer-only products go through the health-ministry track alone; professional or public-health use needs both ministries.
How long does registration take and what is the process?
A new formulation takes 18–24 months in practice. Administrative check within 3 working days, then technical evaluation by the Pesticide Commission (monthly meetings), then the minister's decision (up to 90 working days). Start with a trial permit (1 year, extendable twice, no commercial sale), then move to the permanent permit (5 years).
Can a foreign factory apply directly?
No. The registration applicant must be an Indonesian legal entity. A Chinese factory or brand owner can only work through an Indonesian agent, a joint venture, or by setting up its own PT PMA to apply and hold the registration.
What most often holds up pesticide imports?
Three things: a registration holder that does not match the PIB importer; reading only the HS code instead of the active ingredient — the 835 list is named by active ingredient (e.g. thiram, benomyl); and a label that is not in Indonesian or is incomplete. Also note the 835 entry on INSW still cites 06/2018, which Permentan 43/2019 has repealed.
Key questions on this page, free to quote.
Official sources
Independently verifiable channels below. Rates, restrictions and lead times follow each agency's latest publication.
- INSW national trade repository (Indonesia) — Official lookup for BTKI codes, BM/PPN/PPh and Lartas flags
- Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) — Pesticide registration (Permentan 43/2019), the Pesticide Commission and the SimpeL system
- Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Bea Cukai) — Clearance process, PIB filing and customs rules
- Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) — Import licensing and API management (MoT 16/2025 jo. 37/2025)
- Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) — PKRT household pesticide distribution licence
- Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) — Official fiscal and tax policy releases