How to Ship Food Products Internationally from Indonesia: Complete Guide

Shipping food from Indonesia to international destinations is one of the most common yet challenging shipping needs. Whether you’re sending care packages with Indonesian snacks to family working abroad, exporting specialty coffee to international buyers, or helping students overseas get their favorite sambal and instant noodles, understanding food shipping regulations is essential for successful delivery.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about shipping food products from Surabaya and throughout Indonesia to various countries, including documentation requirements, prohibited items, packaging standards, and customs procedures.

Why People Ship Food from Indonesia

Food shipping from Indonesia serves diverse needs:

Families of overseas workers: Families in Indonesia regularly send food packages to loved ones working abroad. Sambal, instant noodles, krupuk (crackers), spices, and Indonesian snacks are among the most missed items for Indonesians living overseas.

Students abroad: Indonesian students studying in Japan, Australia, Europe, or the United States often request family members send food from home. Indonesian products are difficult to find or extremely expensive in foreign supermarkets.

Gifts and souvenirs: Indonesian specialty foods like coffee, tea, chocolate, traditional sweets (dodol, kue kering), and packaged snacks make popular gifts for friends or family abroad.

Business exports: Indonesian entrepreneurs export specialty coffee, tea, spice mixes, packaged sambal, chips, and processed foods to international markets. Indonesia’s diverse culinary products have growing global demand.

Personal purchases: Indonesians living abroad sometimes purchase food products online and have them shipped from Indonesia to their current location.

Universal Requirements for Shipping Food Internationally

Nearly all countries maintain strict regulations on food imports to protect public health and domestic agriculture. Understanding these basic requirements is critical:

BPOM Certification

BPOM (Indonesian Food and Drug Administration) regulates food safety:

For commercial exports:

• Food products must be registered with BPOM
• BPOM registration number must be printed on packaging
• BPOM certificate required for business shipments
• Free Sale Certificate from BPOM proving product is legally sold in Indonesia

For personal shipments (small quantities for personal consumption):

• Usually don’t require BPOM certificate
• But products must be in original commercial packaging
• Cannot be homemade or repackaged foods

Commercial Packaging and Sealed Containers

Universal requirements:

Original factory packaging:

• Food must be in original packaging from manufacturer
• Packaging must be sealed and unopened
• Cannot be opened and repackaged

Complete labeling:

• Clear product name
• Ingredient list
• Production and expiration dates
• Net weight
• Manufacturer information
• Ideally labels in English or destination country language

Not permitted:

• Homemade foods
• Foods packaged in your own containers or plastic bags
• Damaged or opened packaging
• Foods without labels

Expiration Dates

Minimum shelf life requirements:

Most countries require:

• Minimum 6 months remaining shelf life for dry goods
• Minimum 3 months for products with shorter shelf life
• Expiration date must be clearly printed

Example:

• If shipping instant noodles expiring June 2026, ship before December 2025
• Products near expiration risk customs rejection

Documentation Requirements

Standard documents for food shipments:

Commercial invoice including:

• Detailed product descriptions
• Ingredient lists
• Country of origin
• Value and quantity
• BPOM registration numbers (if applicable)

Packing list:

• Organized inventory of all food items
• Quantities and weights
• Package numbers

Certificates (depending on product and destination):

• BPOM certificate or Free Sale Certificate
• Halal certificate (for Muslim-majority countries)
• Health certificate from local health authority
• Phytosanitary certificate (for plant-based foods)
• Certificate of Origin (for trade agreement benefits)

What Foods You CAN Ship Internationally

Understanding which foods are generally acceptable helps plan your shipment:

Widely Accepted Food Products

Dry packaged snacks:

• Instant noodles and instant foods (Indomie, etc.)
• Krupuk and keripik (chips and crackers)
• Cookies and biscuits in sealed packages
• Dried fruit and nuts (commercially packaged)
• Candy and sweets

Beverages:

• Coffee (roasted beans or ground, packaged)
• Tea leaves and tea bags
• Instant beverage mixes
• Bottled or canned drinks

Spices and seasonings:

• Dried spices in commercial packaging
• Seasoning mixes
• Packaged sambal (shelf-stable)
• Instant curry pastes
• Bouillon cubes

Shelf-stable packaged foods:

• Canned goods (properly sealed)
• Retort pouched foods
• Vacuum-sealed foods
• Long-life packaged foods

Traditional Indonesian products:

• Packaged rendang (retort pouch)
• Kecap (soy sauce) in bottles
• ABC sambal in bottles
• Kopi luwak (packaged coffee)
• Packaged dodol and traditional sweets

Foods Requiring Extra Documentation

These products generally allowed but need additional paperwork:

Processed foods with meat (very restricted):

• Most countries prohibit or heavily restrict
• Retort-processed canned meat from approved facilities sometimes allowed
• Requires extensive health certificates
• Often not worth the complexity for personal shipments

Honey and bee products:

• Health certificate usually required
• Must be commercially bottled
• Some countries restrict or prohibit

Dairy products:

• Long-life UHT milk sometimes allowed
• Powdered milk generally accepted
• Fresh dairy almost always prohibited
• Hard cheeses occasionally permitted

Rice and rice products:

• Some countries restrict rice imports
• Small quantities for personal use sometimes allowed
• May require phytosanitary certificate

Nutritional supplements:

• Vitamin and mineral supplements
• Protein powders
• Health supplements
• May be regulated as medicines in some countries

What Foods You CANNOT Ship

Understanding prohibited foods prevents shipment seizure and wasted costs:

Universally Prohibited or Highly Restricted

Fresh or raw foods:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables (almost universally prohibited)
• Raw meat, poultry, seafood
• Fresh eggs
• Fresh milk and dairy
• Unpasteurized products

Homemade foods:

• Home-cooked meals
• Foods packaged at home
• Repackaged commercial foods
• Baked goods from home kitchen
• Homemade preserves or jams

Foods with meat (country-specific but generally restricted):

• Fresh, frozen, or dried meat
• Sausages, salami, jerky
• Products containing meat extracts
• Rendang or other meat dishes (unless specifically approved canned/retort)
• Pet food containing meat

Seeds and plants:

• Plant cuttings
• Seeds for planting
• Live plants
• Products with soil attached

Certain traditional items:

• Betel nut (pinang) – prohibited in many countries
• Unprocessed herbs
• Traditional medicines with undeclared ingredients

Country-Specific Restrictions

Different countries have unique food import rules:

Japan:

• Very strict on meat products (almost all prohibited)
• Requires detailed labeling
• Restricts rice and rice products
• Honey needs inspection certificate

United States:

• FDA regulates food imports
• Prohibits most meat and dairy
• Restricts fruits and vegetables
• Coffee and tea generally allowed
• Packaged snacks usually acceptable

Australia:

• Extremely strict biosecurity
• Prohibits almost all fresh foods
• Restricts honey, eggs, dairy
• Commercial packaged foods allowed with declaration
• Heavy penalties for violations

European Union:

• Strict food safety standards
• Prohibits meat and dairy products
• Requires health certificates for many items
• Processed packaged foods generally acceptable

Singapore:

• Relatively relaxed compared to others
• Packaged foods generally allowed
• Some meat products permitted
• Clear labeling required

Malaysia:

• ASEAN neighbor with easier import rules
• Halal certification beneficial
• Packaged foods generally acceptable
• Meat products restricted

Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE):

• Halal certification mandatory for Muslim consumption
• Pork and alcohol strictly prohibited
• Other packaged foods generally allowed
• Clear ingredient lists essential

BPOM Requirements and Certification

For Indonesian food exporters, understanding BPOM is essential:

What is BPOM?

BPOM (Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan) is Indonesia’s Food and Drug Administration equivalent. It ensures food safety and quality standards.

When BPOM Certification is Required

Mandatory for:

• Commercial food exports
• Products sold in Indonesia
• Business-to-business shipments
• Regular/repeated food shipments

Not typically required for:

• Personal care packages (small quantities)
• One-time gifts
• Individual consumption amounts

Types of BPOM Registration

ML (Makanan Luar Negeri): For imported foods
MD (Makanan Dalam Negeri): For domestically produced foods
SP (Sertifikat Penyuluhan): For small businesses under certain thresholds

How to Obtain BPOM Certification

Process:

1. Register business with BPOM
2. Submit product information and testing
3. Provide manufacturing facility details
4. Pay registration fees
5. Receive BPOM number and certificate
6. Print BPOM number on product packaging

Timeline: 2-6 months depending on product type

Cost: Varies by product category (Rp 2-5 million typically)

Free Sale Certificate

For exports, you may need Surat Keterangan Bebas Penjualan (Free Sale Certificate):

Purpose: Proves product is legally sold in Indonesia

Obtained from: BPOM or local health office

Required for: Many countries’ customs authorities

Halal Certification for Food Exports

For Indonesian food products, especially to Muslim-majority countries:

When Halal Certification Matters

Mandatory or highly beneficial for:

• Exports to Middle East (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, etc.)
• Exports to Malaysia and Brunei
• Muslim markets in Western countries
• Products marketed to Muslim consumers

Certification bodies:

• MUI (Majelis Ulama Indonesia) – primary Indonesian halal certifier
• LPPOM MUI – official MUI testing and certification agency

Halal Certification Process

Requirements:

• All ingredients must be halal
• Production facility must follow halal protocols
• Separate from non-halal production lines
• Proper documentation of ingredient sources

Process:

1. Apply to MUI/LPPOM MUI
2. Facility audit
3. Ingredient verification
4. Testing if needed
5. Certificate issuance (valid 2 years)

Cost: Varies by company size and product range

Packaging Requirements for Food Shipments

Proper packaging protects food products and ensures customs acceptance:

External Packaging

Sturdy boxes:

• Food-grade cardboard boxes
• Strong enough for international journey
• Clean and undamaged
• Appropriate size (not too large, adequate protection)

Labeling:

• Contents clearly marked: “FOOD PRODUCTS”
• Handling instructions: “THIS SIDE UP”
• “FRAGILE” if glass containers
• No excessive branding (attracts theft)

Internal Packaging and Protection

Individual product protection:

• Keep products in original sealed packaging
• Wrap glass bottles in bubble wrap
• Use dividers between glass items
• Protect corners and edges

Fill empty space:

• Use bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or paper
• Prevent movement during transit
• Cushion on all sides
• Items shouldn’t shift when box shaken

Temperature considerations:

• Most packaged Indonesian snacks are shelf-stable
• Chocolate products may melt (consider destination climate)
• Use insulated packaging for temperature-sensitive items

Moisture protection:

• Seal products in plastic bags inside box
• Use moisture absorbers (silica gel packets)
• Important for humid destination climates

Packaging Different Food Types

Liquids (sambal, kecap, sauces):

• Must be in sealed bottles
• Wrap in plastic bags (prevent leakage)
• Surround with absorbent material
• Mark “LIQUID CONTENTS”
• Some carriers limit liquid quantities

Glass containers:

• Bubble wrap each item
• Use dividers or cardboard between items
• Mark “FRAGILE – GLASS”
• Consider shipping in multiple smaller boxes rather than one heavy box

Powdered products (coffee, spices):

• Must be in sealed bags or containers
• Double-bag if possible
• Clearly label contents (powder can trigger security inspection)

Crispy items (krupuk, keripik, cookies):

• Minimize crushing with adequate cushioning
• Use rigid boxes
• Fill empty space
• Consider slight overpacking for protection

Chocolate and heat-sensitive items:

• Check destination temperature
• Avoid shipping during hot months
• Use insulated packaging if necessary
• Express shipping reduces heat exposure time

Shipping Methods and Costs for Food

Several options exist for shipping food internationally:

International Courier Services

Major carriers (FedEx, DHL, UPS):

Advantages:

• Reliable temperature-controlled aircraft
• Faster delivery (reduces spoilage risk)
• Good tracking
• Professional handling
• Customs clearance expertise

Disadvantages:

• Higher cost
• Some carriers restrict certain food types
• Must declare food items

Typical costs from Surabaya (approximate):

5kg food package to Singapore:

• Express (3-4 days): Rp 700,000 – 950,000
• Economy (7-10 days): Rp 450,000 – 650,000

5kg food package to Japan:

• Express (3-4 days): Rp 900,000 – 1,200,000
• Economy (7-10 days): Rp 600,000 – 850,000

5kg food package to USA:

• Express (4-6 days): Rp 1,400,000 – 1,900,000
• Economy (10-14 days): Rp 950,000 – 1,350,000

EMS (Express Mail Service)

Via Pos Indonesia:

• More affordable than commercial couriers
• Reasonable delivery times (7-12 days typically)
• Accepts food shipments
• Less strict than some couriers

Best for: Personal food packages, moderate urgency

Choosing Service Level

Express recommended for:

• Products with shorter shelf life
• First shipment to test market (business)
• High-value specialty products
• Temperature-sensitive items
• Important gifts with specific delivery dates

Economy acceptable for:

• Shelf-stable dry goods
• Regular care packages
• Budget-conscious shipments
• Non-urgent deliveries

Customs Clearance for Food Products

Understanding customs procedures helps ensure smooth delivery:

What Customs Inspects

Documentation review:

• Commercial invoice and packing list
• Certificates (BPOM, Halal, health, etc.)
• Ingredient lists
• Declared values

Physical inspection (common for food):

• Visual examination of products
• Verification against documentation
• Sampling for testing (occasionally)
• Packaging condition

Common Customs Issues with Food

Problem 1: Prohibited ingredients discovered

• Meat products in countries that ban them
• Undeclared allergens
• Banned additives or preservatives

Solution: Know destination country’s prohibited list before shipping

Problem 2: Unclear or incomplete labeling

• Missing ingredient lists
• No English labels
• Unclear expiration dates

Solution: Ensure products have proper labels, add translations if necessary

Problem 3: Products near expiration

• Insufficient remaining shelf life
• Unclear expiration date format

Solution: Ship products with adequate shelf life remaining (6+ months ideal)

Problem 4: Improper packaging

• Homemade packaging
• Opened packages
• Damaged containers

Solution: Only ship factory-sealed products in good condition

Problem 5: Missing certificates

• No BPOM documentation for commercial shipments
• Missing health certificates
• No Halal certification when required

Solution: Obtain all necessary certificates before shipping

Duties and Taxes on Food Imports

Recipient typically pays:

• Import duties (vary by country and product)
• Value-Added Tax (VAT) or Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• Possible inspection fees

Rates vary widely:

• Singapore: 0-7% duty plus 9% GST
• Japan: Various rates plus 10% consumption tax
• USA: Often 0% duty for packaged snacks, but state taxes may apply
• EU: 0-20% duty plus 15-25% VAT depending on country

Duty-free thresholds:

• Many countries exempt low-value personal shipments
• Thresholds: $50-800 USD depending on country
• Gifts sometimes have higher thresholds

Country-Specific Food Shipping Guides

Quick references for popular destinations:

Shipping Food to Japan

Allowed:

• Packaged snacks and dry goods
• Coffee and tea
• Commercially packaged foods

Restricted/Prohibited:

• Almost all meat products
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Most dairy products
• Rice (restricted)

Requirements:

• Detailed commercial invoice
• Japanese language labels beneficial
• Health certificates for certain products

Customs: Strict inspection, allow extra time

Shipping Food to Singapore

Allowed:

• Most packaged dry foods
• Snacks and beverages
• Spices and seasonings

Restricted:

• Chewing gum (restricted)
• Meat products (require permits)

Requirements:

• Standard documentation
• Clear labeling

Customs: Relatively smooth for packaged foods

Shipping Food to Australia

Allowed:

• Commercially packaged dry foods
• Coffee and tea
• Shelf-stable processed foods

Prohibited:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Meat and dairy (very strict)
• Honey without permits
• Seeds and plants

Requirements:

• Must declare ALL food items
• Commercial packaging essential
• Products must be clean

Customs: Extremely strict, heavy fines for violations

Shipping Food to United States

Allowed:

• Packaged snacks and dry goods
• Coffee and tea
• Most processed foods

Prohibited:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Meat products (most types)
• Fresh dairy

Requirements:

• FDA compliance
• Detailed ingredient lists
• Commercial packaging

Customs: Moderate strictness, focus on meat and produce

Shipping Food to Middle East

Allowed:

• Halal certified products
• Packaged dry goods
• Spices and seasonings

Prohibited:

• Pork and pork-derived products
• Alcohol
• Non-Halal meat

Requirements:

• Halal certification essential
• Arabic labels beneficial
• Clear ingredient lists

Customs: Focus on Halal compliance

Tips for Successful Food Shipments

For Families Sending Care Packages

Popular Indonesian foods to send:

• Indomie and other instant noodles
• ABC sambal bottles
• Krupuk and keripik (chips)
• Rendang in retort pouches
• Indonesian cookies and snacks
• Kopi (coffee)
• Indonesian tea
• Dry spices and bumbu

Best practices:

• Group multiple items in one shipment (economical)
• Check what recipient’s country allows
• Include note with contents list
• Coordinate timing with recipient
• Use economy shipping for cost savings
• Avoid items close to expiration

Cost management:

• EMS often best value for family packages
• Consolidate shipments (send monthly vs weekly)
• Choose smaller but shelf-stable items
• Avoid heavy liquids (expensive to ship)

For Food Businesses and Exporters

Building export business:

• Obtain all certifications early (BPOM, Halal)
• Test markets with sample shipments
• Develop relationships with importers/distributors
• Understand target country regulations thoroughly
• Professional packaging and labeling
• Certificate of Origin for duty benefits

Documentation discipline:

• Maintain consistent paperwork standards
• Digital copies of all certificates
• Product specification sheets
• Batch tracking systems
• Customs broker relationships

Quality control:

• Inspect products before shipping
• Adequate shelf life (minimum 6 months)
• Proper packaging and sealing
• Temperature monitoring for sensitive products

Scaling considerations:

• Freight consolidation for larger volumes
• Sea freight for bulk shipments
• Distribution partnerships in destination countries
• Regular shipping schedules

For Online Sellers

Popular Indonesian food products internationally:

• Specialty coffee (Kopi Luwak, Toraja, Gayo)
• Traditional snacks and sweets
• Sambal varieties
• Spice mixes and seasonings
• Instant noodle variety packs

E-commerce tips:

• Clear product descriptions with ingredients
• Disclosure about potential customs duties
• Realistic delivery timeframes
• Professional packaging
• Fast shipping builds trust
• Excellent communication

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Sending Homemade Foods

The error: Packaging homemade rendang, cookies, or other home-cooked items

Consequences:

• Customs rejection
• Return shipping costs
• Possible penalties

Solution: Only send commercially packaged, factory-sealed foods

Mistake 2: Not Declaring Food Contents

The error: Marking package as “gift” or “personal items” without specifying food

Consequences:

• Customs holds and investigations
• Fines for false declarations
• Shipment delays or seizure

Solution: Always clearly declare “food products” and list specific items

Mistake 3: Sending Prohibited Items

The error: Including meat jerky, fresh fruit, or other banned items

Consequences:

• Confiscation and destruction
• Fines and penalties
• Future shipments may face extra scrutiny

Solution: Research destination country’s prohibited foods list before shipping

Mistake 4: Inadequate Packaging for Liquids

The error: Not securing bottles properly, leading to leaks

Consequences:

• Damaged products
• Damage to other items in shipment
• Potential carrier fees for cleanup

Solution: Triple-seal liquid containers: plastic bag, bubble wrap, absorbent material

Mistake 5: Products Near Expiration

The error: Sending foods with only 2-3 months shelf life remaining

Consequences:

• Customs rejection
• Return shipping costs
• Product waste

Solution: Only ship foods with minimum 6 months remaining shelf life

Mistake 6: Missing or Unclear Labels

The error: Products without ingredient lists or expiration dates

Consequences:

• Customs holds
• Required additional documentation
• Possible rejection

Solution: Ensure all products have complete, readable labels

Mistake 7: Undervaluing Food Shipments

The error: Declaring $10 value for package worth $100 to reduce recipient’s duties

Consequences:

• Customs investigation
• Fines and penalties
• Insurance claims denied
• Legal issues

Solution: Always declare accurate market value

Mistake 8: No Consideration of Climate

The error: Sending chocolate to hot climate in summer

Consequences:

• Melted products
• Customer dissatisfaction
• Product waste

Solution: Consider destination climate, use express shipping, avoid shipping heat-sensitive items in hot months

Insurance for Food Shipments

Food products have value and insurance protects your investment:

When to Insure Food Shipments

Recommended for:

• Business shipments
• High-value specialty products (premium coffee, luxury snacks)
• Glass-bottled products (risk of breakage)
• Regular commercial exports

Less critical for:

• Personal care packages of low-value snacks
• Products that are easily replaceable
• Very low-cost items

Insurance Costs and Coverage

Typical insurance rates: 2-3% of declared value

What’s covered:

• Loss during transit
• Damage to products
• Theft from shipment

What’s NOT covered:

• Improper packaging (most common denial reason)
• Customs seizure of prohibited items
• Spoilage due to delays beyond carrier’s control
• Confiscation for regulations violations

Filing Claims

If products arrive damaged:

• Document with photos immediately
• Keep all packaging materials
• File claim within carrier’s timeframe (7-21 days typically)
• Provide commercial invoice showing value
• Provide photos of damage and packaging

Working with Cakra Express for Food Shipments

Professional guidance simplifies food shipping:

How We Help with Food Shipments

Carrier selection:

• Compare rates across carriers for food shipments
• Recommend best options for perishability and destination
• Access to volume discounts

Regulatory guidance:

• Advise on destination country restrictions
• Help verify products are permitted
• Documentation requirements

Packaging consultation:

• Proper packaging methods for food
• Protection for glass and liquids
• Temperature considerations

Documentation support:

• Ensure commercial invoices complete
• Certificate verification
• Customs form accuracy

Problem resolution:

• Handle customs holds
• Interface with carriers
• Resolve delivery issues

Convenience:

• Pickup service in Surabaya
• Simplified process for repeat food shippers
• Knowledge of Indonesian food products

Conclusion

Shipping food from Indonesia internationally requires careful attention to regulations, proper packaging, and complete documentation. Whether you’re sending care packages with Indonesian favorites to family abroad or exporting specialty products for your business, success comes from understanding destination country requirements and following proper procedures.

Key takeaways for successful food shipments:

Only ship permitted foods: Research destination restrictions thoroughly before preparing shipment

Commercial packaging essential: Factory-sealed, properly labeled products only – no homemade items

Documentation matters: BPOM, Halal, and health certificates when required; complete commercial invoices

Proper packaging protects: Use sturdy boxes, protect glass containers, seal liquids carefully

Declare accurately: Always list contents honestly and declare realistic values

Allow adequate shelf life: Minimum 6 months remaining expiration for best customs acceptance

Work with experienced partners: Professional shipping assistance navigates complex food regulations

Indonesian food products have international appeal, and with proper preparation, you can successfully share Indonesian flavors with the world or connect with loved ones through familiar tastes from home.

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Need to ship food products internationally from Surabaya? Contact Cakra Express for expert guidance on food shipping regulations, proper packaging, and reliable delivery to destinations worldwide.

Cakra Express | International Shipping from Surabaya
Website: cakraexpress.com
WhatsApp: +62 838-3102-5300
Email: cakraexp@gmail.com
Office: Jl. Wonorejo Timur Baru (Green Lake E-21), Surabaya