Setting Up an Import-Export PT PMA in Indonesia: A Guide for Vietnamese Trading Companies

Why Vietnamese Traders Need a Local Entity

Trade between Vietnam and Indonesia is growing fast. Our internal research notes put bilateral trade at about USD 17.2 billion in 2025, with a target of USD 18 billion by 2028 (these figures should be re-checked against official sources before publishing). Many Vietnamese exporters now sell to Indonesian buyers through agents. That works at first. As volumes grow, buyers ask for local invoices, local stock and faster delivery.

A local company solves these problems. It can hold an importer number, clear goods through customs, store stock in a warehouse, sign contracts with distributors and issue Indonesian tax invoices. A foreign office cannot do this. A representative office, for example, cannot earn income from Indonesian sources or issue invoices, and a trade representative office (KP3A) cannot sign domestic import contracts. That is why a PT PMA is the standard route for traders who want to sell locally.

For a full comparison of options, read our guide to business structures for foreign investment in Indonesia. You can also review the foreign company registration options in Indonesia.

What a Trading PT PMA Can Do

A PT PMA with the right trading codes can do five main things:

• Import goods under its own importer number.
• Buy and sell goods inside Indonesia as a wholesaler.
• Export Indonesian goods to overseas buyers.
• Hold stock and manage distributors.
• Issue invoices and receive payment in rupiah.

Retail to end consumers is a different activity. It uses retail codes (47xxx), and the rules are different. Decide early whether you will sell to businesses only or also to the public.

Choosing Trading KBLI Codes

KBLI is Indonesia’s business classification system. Every activity has a code. The codes you list at incorporation decide what your company may do. If you want to add a product line later, you must amend your deed, and this adds time and cost. Our guide explains what KBLI is in Indonesia in detail.

Some sources note that OSS has started to use an updated KBLI edition (2025) for new filings. Ask your adviser which edition and code numbers apply on your filing date, because old and new numbers can differ.

Tip: match each code to a real product. A broad general-trading code may look flexible, but it can draw more questions from officials. A short list of exact codes is often safer.

Import Licensing: What to Know

Importer status in Indonesia is called API (Angka Pengenal Importir). It sits inside the NIB, which you receive through the OSS online system. There are two main types:

• API-U (general importer): for finished goods that you import and resell. This is the usual choice for trading companies.
• API-P (producer importer): for raw materials or parts used in your own production.

Under Trade Ministry Regulation No. 16 of 2025, reported by industry sources as effective from 30 August 2025, a company holds one API type. If you want to both trade and manufacture, you may need two companies. Because this choice is hard to reverse, trading firms should choose API-U from day one.

There are two more layers to check:

• Import approval (Persetujuan Impor): some regulated goods need this from the Trade Ministry before shipping.
• Product permits: food, drinks, supplements and cosmetics need BPOM registration. Some electronics need SNI certification. Agricultural goods need quarantine clearance.

Please remember that the import license allows you to import. It does not allow you to sell. Our overview of business licenses and permits in Indonesia shows which approvals go through OSS and which need a separate agency. Your NIB is the base of all of them.

Step-by-Step Setup Process

1. Define products and HS codes. List what you will import, from which supplier, and to whom you will sell.
2. Choose KBLI codes that match those products.
3. Prepare shareholders, directors and a commissioner. A PT PMA needs at least two shareholders, one director living in Indonesia and one commissioner.
4. Secure a registered Indonesian business address.
5. Sign the deed of establishment and obtain Ministry of Law approval.
6. Register for the company tax ID (NPWP).
7. Obtain the NIB and API-U through OSS.
8. Deposit paid-up capital in an Indonesian [corporate bank account].
9. Apply for import approvals or product permits if your goods need them.
10. Register with customs and prepare shipping papers: invoice, packing list and bill of lading.

EZPZ Indonesia’s published timeline shows a path of around 14 days from document submission to NIB. Actual timing depends on complete documents and your business codes. Our step-by-step company registration guide explains each stage.

Capital and Cost Planning

From October 2025, a PT PMA needs a minimum issued and paid-up capital of IDR 2.5 billion. It also needs a total investment plan of more than IDR 10 billion (excluding land and buildings) for each business line and project location. Paid-up capital must be deposited in the company’s Indonesian bank account and is generally restricted from withdrawal for 12 months, except for business needs such as assets. Some sectors have higher minimums.

For traders, the working capital matters as much as the legal minimum. Budget for stock, customs duties, import VAT, warehouse rent, staff and a few months of operating costs before sales settle.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing API-P when you plan to trade.
• Using a codes list that does not match your products.
• Assuming the import license covers product permits.
• Underestimating how long BPOM or SNI steps take.
• Skipping the check on tariff and trade-agreement treatment for your HS code before pricing.

Land is another point. A PT PMA cannot own freehold land, but it can use other land rights such as the Right to Build. This matters if you plan to build a warehouse. Logistics planning is covered in our guide on how to start a logistic company in Indonesia.

Start Your Trading Company Setup

A trading PT PMA works best when the codes, importer type and product permits are planned together. If you want a clear plan for your products, book a trading-company setup consultation. Get a free quote from EZPZ Indonesia.