Key figures (free to quote)
| Item | Reference figure |
|---|---|
| Jakarta (Tanjung Priok) standard clearance | 2-4 working days (complete documents, no inspection). |
| Jakarta inspection (yellow line) | 3 working days standard + 7 working days inspection. |
| Jakarta red line | 3 working days standard + 10 working days red-line handling. |
| Semarang (Tanjung Emas) standard clearance | 2-4 working days. |
| Surabaya (Tanjung Perak) standard clearance | 2-4 working days. |
| Java delivery | 2-4 days. |
| Outer island delivery | 5-10 days (including onward vessel). |
| PIB lodgment to SPPB release | 1-3 working days. |
Reference values for standard cases (complete documents, no inspection, outside the red-line season). Actual figures follow current carrier and customs notices. Last reviewed 2026-10-08.
In short
- The tariff splits plastics into three tracks: raw material, general plastic articles and dedicated plastic articles. A shipment carrying more than one type crosses more than one track — and that is normal.
- The core question is a single one: is this article dedicated to a particular use? General articles follow the material chapter; dedicated ones can be pulled into a use-based heading in another chapter.
- Raw material and finished articles are also declared differently: raw materials tend to attract closer regulatory attention, while articles lean on element descriptions. The two cannot be mixed.
- So our practice is straightforward: every line item is verified separately against BTKI down to 8 digits before the container sails. Calling a whole shipment “plastic products” almost always means one line is wrong.
Three tracks: raw material, general articles, dedicated articles
Why one shipment can span two chapters: a single shipment may contain general-purpose plastic crates (material chapter) and a plastic part dedicated to a specific machine (use direction) — two tracks the tariff deliberately separates. Filed together as “plastic products”, one of them is bound to be wrong.
| Track | Typical goods | Classification logic |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic raw material | PP, PE, PET pellets and similar | Classified by polymer type into the plastics raw-material section |
| General plastic articles | Crates, general containers, standard pipe fittings | Article headings under the material chapter, then sub-divided by form |
| Dedicated plastic articles | Parts dedicated to one industry, purpose-built items | May be covered by a use-based heading and fall in another chapter |
Use or material: the decision order
- Step one: is it raw material? Unformed pellets or powder follow the raw-material track, classified by polymer type. Formed goods continue downward.
- Step two: does it carry a “dedicated” character? Items designed for a specific machine or industry and meaningless outside that use are checked first against that use heading (the same logic as the spare parts page).
- Step three: items with no dedicated character follow the material chapter as general articles, then sub-divide by form (plate, film, pipe, container, other articles).
- Step four: verify against BTKI at the 8-digit level. Plastic headings are finely granulated, so code verification is not optional — start with the HS lookup tool.
How to word the declaration elements
| Element | Recommended wording | Wording to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Polypropylene (PP) / Polyethylene (PE) / PET | “Plastic”, “plastic material” |
| Form | Injection-moulded crate / blow-moulded bottle / extruded sheet | “Plastic product” |
| Use | General-purpose storage crate; or component X dedicated to machine Y | “Industrial use”, “daily use” |
| Condition | Made from virgin material | Recycled content must be stated truthfully |
| Specification | Outer dimensions, volume, wall thickness and similar | “Various sizes” |
Common errors and the correction
| Error | Why it is a problem | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Whole shipment filed as “plastic products” | Dedicated and general items take different tracks | Assess item by item; split by code line |
| Material written only as “plastic” | Each polymer sits in a different heading | Write down to PP / PE / ABS / PET |
| Dedicated part filed in the material chapter | May be covered by a use-based heading | Check the use heading first, then decide the material chapter |
| Raw material and articles filed together | Different regulatory and declaration treatment | Separate lines on the invoice |
| Recycled content not disclosed | Mismatch with the actual goods; inspection risk | State the composition truthfully |
Regulatory notes and pre-shipment checks
- Raw plastic material attracts closer attention: some primary-form plastics have a regulatory direction on the import side; the rules in force always govern — see the Lartas map page.
- Food contact: plastics touching food engage certification requirements; the consignee should confirm the certification status early.
- Light and bulky: most plastic goods are volumetric cargo and LCL is charged by volume — optimise the loading plan by compressing volume; a worked example sits on the cost optimisation page.
- Mixed-cargo reconciliation: when several plastic categories are consolidated into one container, split by code line and map by container number — see the consolidation warehouse page.
Related pages
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
Why can one plastic shipment land in two chapters?
Because the tariff splits plastics into three tracks: raw material, general articles and dedicated articles. General articles follow the material chapter, while items dedicated to particular equipment or industries can be covered by a use-based heading in another chapter. When one shipment carries both, each is classified on its own track — which is why it can cross chapters.
Use or material — what is the first step?
Ask first whether the item is dedicated to a particular use. An item designed for one machine and meaningless outside that use is checked against the use heading first; anything not dedicated returns to the material chapter and is sub-divided by form. Reversing the order is how dedicated parts get filed as general goods.
How detailed must the material description be?
At least down to the polymer type: PP, PE, PET, ABS. Each polymer sits in a different heading, so the word “plastic” alone says nothing in tariff terms. Where blends or modifications are involved, describe by the dominant component and state it truthfully.
How does declaring raw plastic material differ from declaring articles?
Raw material is classified by polymer type and usually attracts closer regulatory attention; articles depend on describing form and use. Both the regulatory direction and the declaration wording differ, so the invoice must separate them line by line — never merged into “plastic products”.
How should articles containing recycled content be declared?
State the composition and recycled proportion truthfully (where required). Recycled content does not decide whether the goods can be declared, but failing to disclose it creates a mismatch with the actual goods — a real problem at inspection.
How are plastic crates classified?
General-purpose storage crates are general plastic articles, classified toward the article headings under the material chapter, with the material written down to PP or PE. If it is a dedicated plastic part made for a specific machine, it follows the dedicated-part path instead.
What should I watch on food-grade plastic products?
Articles in contact with food engage certification requirements; the rules in force in Indonesia govern, and the consignee should confirm the certification status early. Beyond classification, this is a separate compliance track — settle it before shipment.
Plastic cargo is bulky — how do I cut the freight cost?
LCL is charged by volume and most plastic cargo is volumetric, so compressing volume saves money: nest stackable items, and pack light items squarely. A worked example is on the cost optimisation page. For FCL, focus on loading ratio and pick the right container type.
Official sources
Independently verifiable channels below. Rates, restrictions and lead times follow each agency's latest publication.
- Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Bea Cukai) — Clearance process, PIB filing and customs rules
- Indonesia National Single Window (INSW) — Unified platform for Indonesia import/export filing, licensing and documents
- Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) — Import/export licensing, Lartas restrictions and trade regulations