Which HS code do rare gases use for Indonesia?

Helium, neon, krypton, xenon and radon fall under 28042900 "other rare gases", at 5% MFN and 0% under ACFTA with FORM E. Verify the 8-digit BTKI line per shipment.

Can I still ship helium if China restricts exports?

Yes, but confirm export-side approval and quota first. Larger orders often route through Singapore repackaging or Qatar / UAE liquid helium — quote both the China-direct and transshipment lines.

Liquid helium ISO tank or cylinder helium — which is better?

It depends on volume. Bulk (MRI, semiconductor) uses liquid helium in 40-ft ISO tanks — high value but needs a tank certificate and empty-tank return. Small volumes (leak test, welding, lab) are more flexible in cylinders. Both are Class 2.

Do rare gases need a B3 permit?

Rare gases are usually not on the mandatory B3 list, but cylinders are pressure vessels and liquid helium is cryogenic — transport and packaging are the main gates. Special uses (e.g. radon sources) are regulated separately; verify by code and use.

Can you help find a rare-gas supplier?

Yes. We connect with mainstream Chinese rare-gas suppliers (He, Ne, Kr, Xe plus lithography mixes), matched to purity and packaging. Suppliers and prices are handled privately, not published.

Can the duty on rare gases be zero?

Yes. With a FORM E certificate, HS 28042900 enjoys 0% under ACFTA instead of 5% MFN — removing the entire duty line.

What should I watch with liquid helium transport?

It is cryogenic (about −269°C) and moves in 40-ft ISO tanks needing a tank certificate, dangerous-goods booking and empty-tank return. Carrier acceptance is narrow, so the lead time is far longer than general cargo.

What licence do I need to import rare gases?

The importer needs NIB plus API; pressure-vessel transport needs a dangerous-goods packing certificate and booking declaration. Verify the consignee's status before shipping.

Importing Rare Gases to Indonesia: Helium, Neon, Krypton, Xenon

Key figures (free to quote)

Item	Reference figure
Rare gases HS 28042900 MFN duty	5% (INSW · Bea Cukai 2026), ACFTA 0%
Indonesia 2024 rare-gas imports	≈ US$6.3M (UN Comtrade / WITS)
China share	≈ US$1.2M, second-largest source (Singapore first)
Indonesia helium imports, ~12 months	≈ US$12.9M, ~540 shipments, ~70 importers
Liquid-helium single shipment (40-ft ISO tank)	up to ≈ US$240,000

Last reviewed 2026-10-16; see sources at the foot of the page. Rates follow the current BTKI / INSW.

The short version

Rare gases are high-value, low-volume, high-barrier. One liquid-helium ISO tank can reach about US$240,000, but annual global output is limited and supply is concentrated.
China is a key source. China is the top helium source for Indonesia, with Singapore transshipment and Qatar / UAE liquid helium also moving volume.
One code, one rate. Rare gases fall under HS 28042900 at 5% MFN, zero with FORM E — but transport and export-side compliance are the real gates.

1. What rare gases are and where they are used

Gas	Typical uses
Helium (He)	MRI, semiconductor leak detection, welding shielding, balloons / deep diving
Neon (Ne)	Semiconductor lithography (Kr/Ne, Ar/Ne mixes), lighting / signage
Krypton (Kr)	Semiconductor lithography, lighting, satellite propulsion
Xenon (Xe)	Medical anaesthesia, CT imaging, satellite propulsion, lighting
Radon (Rn)	Medical radiation sources (tiny volumes, special controls)

Rare gases are by-products of steel air-separation plants, and purification carries a technical threshold. Global supply sits with a small number of countries and producers — which is why the category is small in volume, high in price and sensitive in sourcing.

2. Sourcing: China plus Singapore transshipment

Helium: China is Indonesia's top source (liquid-helium ISO tanks plus high-purity cylinder helium); Singapore, the United States, Qatar and the UAE are also meaningful channels.
Rare gases overall: 2024 imports were about US$6.3M — Singapore first, China second (about US$1.2M), Malaysia third.
China's helium export control pushes larger orders through Singapore repackaging or Qatar / UAE liquid helium — quote both the China-direct and the transshipment route.

3. Classification and duty

Classification: He, Ne, Kr, Xe and Rn fall under HS 28042900 "other rare gases".
Duty: 5% MFN, zero under ACFTA with FORM E; PPN 12%; PPh 22 at 2.5% with API or 7.5% without.
Control: rare gases are usually not on the mandatory B3 list, but cylinders are pressure vessels and liquid helium is a cryogenic liquid — transport and packaging are the main gates.

4. Transport: liquid-helium ISO tanks versus cylinders

Form	Use	Operational point
Liquid helium (≈ −269°C)	Bulk: MRI / semiconductor	40-ft ISO tank, tank certificate + empty-tank return, narrow carrier acceptance
High-purity cylinder helium (99.999% etc.)	Lab / leak test / welding	40L/47L/50L pressure-vessel cylinders, DG packing certificate
Dewars	Small-to-mid cryogenic volumes	400L dewars under cryogenic-liquid rules

Both liquid helium and cylinder helium are Class 2 (UN 1046 etc.), but the tank fleet, empty-tank terms and carrier acceptance decide whether the shipment moves and how fast.

5. Regulatory points: export control and pressure vessels

Export side: China imposes temporary export control on helium, and some high-purity rare gases need approval — confirm export-side compliance before committing.
Pressure vessels: cylinders and ISO tanks need a test certificate plus a dangerous-goods packing certificate.
Empty-tank return: liquid-helium ISO tanks come in full and return empty; settle the return leg and its cost up front, or demurrage gets expensive.

6. Supplier sourcing: what we can do

We connect you to mainstream Chinese rare-gas suppliers: helium, neon, krypton, xenon, plus lithography gas mixtures.
Matched by purity grade (high-purity 4N–6N / ultra-high-purity) and packaging (cylinders, dewars, liquid-helium ISO tanks); prices handled privately.
In the same pass we run the Indonesia-side classification, dangerous-goods booking and clearance to the door.

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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.

Importing Rare Gases to Indonesia