On April 18, 2020, the new phone registration rules came into effect. The Indonesian government has made it mandatory to register IMEI. Let’s figure out what IMEI is, why register it, and who exactly needs to do it?
PLEASE NOTE (!) The article is for informational purposes only. Our agency does not help with this process. Thank you for your understanding.
What IMEI Is?
IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique number used to identify mobile equipment, including phones. IMEI serves as the device’s serial number and is transmitted over the air when authorizing on the network. Additionally, IMEI is used for tracking devices and blocking stolen or illegally imported phones at the level of the mobile network operator, which prevents the device from being used in that network in the future, but does not prevent its use in other networks.
Why Register IMEI?
Registering a phone’s IMEI means registering the phone itself, not the SIM card. This is how Indonesia fights against the illegal import of mobile devices. All devices that enter the country legally already have registration. This method of combating illegal phones is not unique to Indonesia. Therefore, phones without registration stop working after a certain period of time (90 days in Indonesia, different times in other countries) – in the sense that they stop registering on the network of Indonesian mobile operators.
Who Needs To Register IMEI?
If you plan to visit Bali, Indonesia just for vacation, then registering your phone is not necessary, you can use the tourist registration (see below). For those who come for a long time and, accordingly, plan to use a local SIM card for a long time, it is better to register IMEI for your phone.
Tourist Registration
In case your stay in Indonesia is less than 90 days, you can register your phone FOR FREE at any official office of a mobile operator. To register, you just need to come to the office in person with your passport and the phone. The tax in that case does not need to be paid.
A “tourist” registration is valid for 3 months and at the moment is permitted to be extended without any additional fees for another 3 months at the same office where you had initially registered your phone.
There are a lot of mobile phone shops that would register phones for free when you purchase a SIM card or an Internet package from them.
Hot Line Custom Service Ngurah Rai
WhatsApp +62 811 3993 500 (eng)
OFFICES TELKOMSEL
Office in Kuta
Office in Ubud
Office in Bukit
Office in Denpasar
Office in Ginyar
Office in Lovina
OFFICES XL
Office in Kuta
Office in Ginyar
Office in Denpasar
OFFICES SMARTFREN
Office in Kuta
Office in Denpasar
Office in Singardja
OFFICES IDNOSAT
Office in Kuta
Office in Denpasar
Office in Ginyar
Registration of IMEI phone for a long stay
If you are planning to stay in Indonesia for over 90 days and wish to use a local SIM card, you will have to register your phone (if it is not already in the database). You can do so at the airport of Jakarta or directly in Bali.
- The IMEI registration for the phones that are worth less than $500 is free of charge (ONLY IN ARRIVAL DAY).
- Also, the amount of tax to be paid for foreigners is 40% of the cost of the phone*, exceeding the rate of $500 if you register the phone in arrival day. For example, if your phone costs $800 the 40% will be charged from $300, therefore the tax amount would be $120.
- For Kitas holders who have a tax number (NPWP) the tax amount will be 30% of the cost of the phone exceeding the rate of $500.
If you did not get a chance to register your phone in the day of arrival, the tax will be charged from the full cost of the device.
*No one really finds much fault in the cost of the phone, so it can be understated, but within reasonable limits of course.
Also, please keep in mind that you must register your phone within 90 days from the date of your arrival in Indonesia.
Registration of IMEI phone for a long stay
If you are planning to stay in Indonesia for over 90 days and wish to use a local SIM card, you will have to register your phone (if it is not already in the database). You can do so at the airport of Jakarta or directly in Bali.
- The IMEI registration for the phones that are worth less than $500 is free of charge (ONLY IN ARRIVAL DAY).
- Also, the amount of tax to be paid for foreigners is 40% of the cost of the phone*, exceeding the rate of $500 if you register the phone in arrival day. For example, if your phone costs $800 the 40% will be charged from $300, therefore the tax amount would be $120.
- For Kitas holders who have a tax number (NPWP) the tax amount will be 30% of the cost of the phone exceeding the rate of $500.
If you did not get a chance to register your phone in the day of arrival, the tax will be charged from the full cost of the device.
*No one really finds much fault in the cost of the phone, so it can be understated, but within reasonable limits of course.
Also, please keep in mind that you must register your phone within 90 days from the date of your arrival in Indonesia.
IMEI REGISTRATION PROCESS
Remember to register your phone in advance on the Agency for Taxes and Duties website. You are allowed to register 2 devices for each person, although keep in mind that if their overall cost exceeds $500 you will have to pay tax.
Once having completed the registration, you will receive a page with a QR code. Print it out or save the code as a screenshot, as this QR code will be required at the customs in order to register the phone.
IMPORTANT! Only registering a phone on the website of the Agency for Taxes and Duties will not be enough to get IMEI
How to register a phone in Jakarta
You may find the IMEI registration office in Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta Airport, in the departure hall (Ground Floor). Look out for a Customs Office.
A customs officer can ask a number of questions, for example, ask about the cost of your phone, date of purchase, etc.
Be sure that you have enough time to register your phone because there may be a queue.
How to register a phone in Bali
In Denpasar, the IMEI registration tent is located after the baggage claim belt before exiting the arrivals’ hall.
Also, you can register your phone in Bali at the Office of Taxes and Duties, but remember that in this case the tax already will be charged from the full cost of the device. In order to do this, you have to provide a ticket to Indonesia or your boarding pass and a QR code you received when registering your phone on the website.
HOW TO CHECK YOUR IMEI
- It doesn’t matter what phone you have – it could be an iPhone, Samsung, or Xiaomi. If you dial *#06# on the phone keypad, your phone’s IMEI number will appear. On some phones, you may need to press the call button for the code to work.
- You can also find your IMEI number by going to your phone’s settings. On an iPhone, you can find it by going to Settings > General > About. On Samsung Galaxy and Xiaomi phones, go to Settings > About Phone.
If you’re not sure whether your device is registered, you can check it on a website www.beacukai.go.id/cek-imei.html. Enter the IMEI number in the window, and you’ll get a response in Indonesian, which can be translated using Google Translate.
*If you have purchased your smartphone from an authorized dealer in Indonesia and activated it here, your phone will automatically get registered. Likewise, if you had imported your phone into the country and activated it for the first time in Indonesia before April 18, 2020, in that case, its IMEI number should already be in the database, therefore, you do not need to register it and pay tax.
