E Arrival Card Indonesia: The Strict Rules on Excise Goods and Financial Declarations on the e-CD Section
The e Arrival Card Indonesia requires every traveler to complete the Customs Declaration (e-CD) section, which is the government’s mechanism for tracking goods subject to duty and excise taxes. This is where most travelers make mistakes, leading to delays, fines, or confiscation of items.
The rules are especially strict regarding alcohol, tobacco, and large amounts of cash.
Trevalo clarifies the absolute limits set by Indonesian Customs and Excise, ensuring you know exactly what requires a declaration and what should be left at home.
🔑 Section 1: The Absolute Limits for Excise Goods (e Arrival Card Indonesia)
Indonesia strictly controls the import of alcohol and tobacco products through fixed quantity limits. These limits apply per adult passenger (age 21+ for alcohol; age 18+ for tobacco).
1. Alcohol (Maximum 1 Liter)
- Limit: 1 Liter of alcoholic beverage (wine, beer, spirits, etc.) per adult passenger.
- Action: This quantity is duty-free and does not require payment.
- Consequence of Exceeding: If you carry more than 1 liter, the excess amount will be confiscated and destroyed by the Customs officer. You cannot pay duty on the excess to keep it.
- Declaration: You must declare the exact amount (even if it’s 1 liter) in the e-CD section.
2. Tobacco Products
The limits for tobacco are also fixed quantities. You can choose one type of tobacco product up to the following limits per adult passenger:
- Cigarettes: 200 sticks (1 carton)
- Cigars: 25 pieces
- Sliced Tobacco: 100 grams
- Consequence of Exceeding: Similar to alcohol, the quantity exceeding the limit will be confiscated and destroyed. Since local Indonesian cigarettes are inexpensive, travelers often find it more economical to purchase them after arrival.
💰 Section 2: Cash and Financial Declaration Rules (E Arrival Card Indonesia)
The purpose of declaring large amounts of currency is not to tax the money, but to prevent money laundering and ensure financial integrity.
1. The Cash Declaration Threshold
- Limit: You must declare on the e-CD if you are carrying cash (Rupiah or foreign currency) or other bearer instruments (cheques, money orders, etc.) equal to or exceeding IDR 100 Million (Rupiah).
- Approximate Equivalent: This is roughly equivalent to USD $6,500 – $7,000, though this amount fluctuates with the exchange rate.
- Action: If your total amount of cash is above this threshold, answer “Yes” to the cash declaration question in the e-CD and state the exact amount and currency.
2. Consequences of Non-Declaration (Cash)
- Penalty: If you are found to be carrying IDR 100 Million or more without declaring it, you may face an administrative fine of 10% of the total undeclared amount, up to a maximum penalty of IDR 300 Million.
- Tip: If you need significant funds in Indonesia, using bank transfers or credit/debit cards is the safer and simpler option.
🛑 Section 3: Reminder on General Goods and IMEI
While alcohol, tobacco, and cash have specific, fixed limits, all other goods are governed by the general duty-free allowance also located in the e-CD.
| Category | Limit/Rule | Action Required |
| General Goods Value | Total FOB value of USD $500 per person. | Declare any items purchased or acquired abroad that put your total value over USD $500 (e.g., a new designer bag or expensive jewelry). You pay duty/tax on the excess only. |
| IMEI Registration | Mandatory for devices used with a local SIM for more than 90 days. | Must be declared in the e-CD (e Arrival Card Indonesia). If the device value is over USD $500, you pay tax on the excess amount at the Customs counter. |
| Prohibited Goods | Strict prohibition on narcotics, firearms, and pornography. | Do not attempt to bring these items. Penalties in Indonesia are severe. |
TREVALO FINAL ADVICE: When in doubt, always declare. If you declare an item that is ultimately found to be within limits, no harm is done. If you fail to declare an item that is over the limit, you risk fines and confiscation. The Customs officer scans your Arrival Card (e Arrival Card Indonesia) QR code after you collect your bags, and they reserve the right to perform random physical checks.