1. Introduction

Industrial and service robots, as the core products of modern automation technology, have developed rapidly worldwide in recent years. Robot products come in a wide variety, including industrial robots, service robots, and collaborative robots, and are widely used in manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, agriculture, and many other fields. With advances in artificial intelligence and Internet of Things technologies, robots are becoming increasingly intelligent and multifunctional.

Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, is at a critical stage of industrialization and automation transformation, with growing demand for various types of robots. However, exporting robots to Indonesia involves complex international trade processes, includingProduct Certification, customs clearance, tax processing, and other steps present numerous challenges for companies lacking import and export experience.

As a professional import & export service provider, Comprehensive Agency Service goes beyond routine logistics and customs clearance; at its core, it tackles the fundamental issues of “trade qualification” and “capital flow” for our clients. Holding full import & export licenses, we enable companies without such rights to complete the entire robot-export process to Indonesia smoothly—including collecting payments in USD and handling all related procedures.Export tax refund, creating tangible economic value for our clients.

2. Market Status and Trends

The Indonesian robotics market exhibits the following characteristics and trends:

1. Demand is growing rapidly: As Indonesia advances its “Making Indonesia 4.0” strategy, demand for manufacturing automation has surged—especially for industrial robots in automotive production, electronics assembly, and food processing. At the same time, service robots are gaining ground in healthcare, hospitality, and retail.
2. High import dependency: Indonesia’s domestic robot-manufacturing capacity is limited, and most high-end robots must be imported, presenting a huge market opportunity for Chinese robot makers.
3. Highly price-sensitiveIndonesian companies are price-sensitive; products with high value-for-money are more popular, yet product quality and after-sales service are gaining importance.
4. Technical standards demand strict compliance.: Indonesia has clear regulations on safety standards, energy-efficiency requirements, and electromagnetic compatibility for imported robots; products that fail to meet these standards cannot enter the market.

Common pain points and considerations for companies entering the Indonesian market include:

1. Complex Certification Requirements: Robot products must obtain SNI (Indonesian National Standard) certification; the procedure and criteria vary by robot type and typically take a long time.
2. High tariff barriers: Indonesia imposes relatively high import tariffs on electronic products and machinery, with robot products typically subject to tariff rates ranging from 5% to 15%.
3. Payment and Settlement Difficulties: Many Chinese robot manufacturers lack the ability to receive foreign-currency payments directly, making smooth transactions with Indonesian customers impossible.
4. Cultural Differences and Communication Barriers: Indonesia’s business culture is unique; language barriers (Indonesian, English, etc.) and differences in business practices can create cooperation difficulties.
5. After-sales service challenges: As high-tech equipment, robots require professional installation, commissioning, and maintenance support; establishing a localized service network is key.

3. Main Process/Steps

Exporting robots to Indonesia involves the following key steps:

1. Preliminary Preparation and Qualification Confirmation

   • Confirm whether the robot product complies with Indonesian technical regulations and standard requirements
   • Prepare technical documents such as product specifications, user manuals, and test reports.
   • The comprehensive agency assists clients in confirming the export-required qualification documents, including business licenses and tax registrations.
   • For customers without import-export rights, the comprehensive agency service provides qualification representation, completing the export under our company name.

2. Product Certification and Compliance Testing

   • Determine the applicable SNI certification standard based on the type of robot.
   • Commission a third-party laboratory to conduct product testing and obtain the test report.
   • Submit the SNI certification application to the Indonesian certification body and track the certification progress.
   • Leveraging its multilingual strengths, the General Agency helps clients communicate with certification bodies and accelerates the certification process.

3. Quality Control and Packaging

   • Conduct a comprehensive pre-shipment QC inspection to ensure the robot is fully functional and free of cosmetic defects.
   • Professionally shock-proof and moisture-proof packaging in accordance with international transport standards
   • Prepare detailed packing lists, product labels, and shipping marks.
   • Zongdaifu provides a professional QC team to ensure product quality meets Indonesian customer requirements.

4. International logisticsand transportation arrangements

   • Select the optimal mode of transport (sea or air) and route
   • Book cargo space, arrange pickup and warehousing.
   • Arrange cargo transportation insurance to ensure full-coverage risk protection throughout the entire journey.
   • Through its global logistics network, Integrated Agency Services provides efficient door-to-door transportation.

5. Export Customs Declaration and Tax Handling

   • Prepare a complete set of export customs documents, including the invoice, packing list, contract, etc.
   • Declare the export to China Customs and obtain the export customs declaration form.
   • HandledExport tax refundHandle the relevant procedures to ensure the client receives the full tax refund.
   • As an agent, the comprehensive foreign-trade service helps clients without import-export rights collect overseas USD payments and returns the full tax rebate to them—this is the core value it creates for its clients.

6. Indonesian Import Customs Clearance and Delivery

   • Prepare the documents required for import into Indonesia, including the SNI certificate, certificate of origin, etc.
   • Declare the import to Indonesian customs and pay customs duties and value-added tax.
   • Arrange inland transportation of the cargo from the port to the final destination
   • Assist the client in completing the cargo inspection and delivery procedures.
   • By leveraging its in-depth knowledge of the Indonesian local market, the integrated agency ensures a smooth and efficient customs clearance process.

4. Cost Breakdown

The main cost items for exporting robots to Indonesia are as follows:

Special note: Through professional export tax rebate services, Zongdaifu can help clients obtain a rebate of 9%–17% of the product value, significantly expanding their profit margins. For clients without import-export rights, this is one of the core values we provide.

5. Risks/Difficulties and the Comprehensive Agency Service’s Solutions

1. Customs clearance delay

   Potential causes: Incomplete documentation, inaccurate product descriptions, customs spot-checks, etc.

   Comprehensive Agency Services Solutions:

   • Conduct a comprehensive document review before export to ensure that all documents are accurate and error-free.
   • Provide professional HS Code classification services to avoid customs clearance issues caused by incorrect codes.
   • We have a professional customs-clearance team on the ground in Indonesia that can respond quickly to customs requirements and resolve issues.
   • By maintaining good communication and relationships with customs, we can minimize unnecessary delays.

2. Authentication Issue

   Potential causes: Non-compliance with Indonesian standards, complex certification procedures, test failures, etc.

   Comprehensive Agency Services Solutions:

   • Conduct a pre-shipment product assessment to identify potential certification barriers.
   • Provide professional certification consulting and guidance, and assist clients in preparing the documents required for certification.
   • Leverage partnerships with certification bodies to accelerate the certification process
   • Recommend product improvement solutions when necessary to ensure compliance with Indonesian standards.

3. Risk of Payment

   Potential causes: Inefficient international payment channels, exchange-rate volatility, and payment delays

   Comprehensive Agency Services Solutions:

   • Provide USD collection services for clients without import-export rights, solving their fundamental cash-flow problems.
   • Offer a variety of secure payment options to reduce transaction risk
   • Through professional exchange-rate management, we help clients hedge against currency volatility.
   • Establish a sound credit assessment system to reduce counterparty risk.

4. Cargo damage or loss

   Potential causes: Accidents during transportation, improper packaging, theft, etc.

   Comprehensive Agency Services Solutions:

   • Provide professional packaging advice and supervision to ensure the safe transportation of robotic products.
   • Arrange comprehensive cargo transportation insurance to cover all risks throughout the entire journey.
   • Through reliable logistics partners and a real-time cargo tracking system, transportation safety is ensured.
   • Establish an emergency response mechanism to enable rapid handling and claims settlement in the event of any issue.

6. Suitable Types of Enterprises

The robot export-to-Indonesia service provided by the comprehensive agency is especially suitable for the following types of enterprises:

1. Robot manufacturer: Manufacturing companies that possess high-quality robotic products but lack international trade experience and qualifications.
2. Trading Company: A trader who has robotic product resources and Indonesian customer channels, but lacks import-export qualifications and the ability to handle funds.
3. startup technology companies: A resource-constrained start-up developing innovative robotic products and looking to expand into the Indonesian market.
4. Engineering Solutions Provider: Companies that provide automation solutions for Indonesian clients and need to import robots as core equipment.
5. Cross-border e-commerce companies: Enterprises that sell robotic products to Indonesia through e-commerce platforms and require professional logistics and customs-clearance support.

These companies usually face a common set of challenges: they lack professional import-export qualifications, cannot collect foreign-currency payments directly, and are unfamiliar with Indonesian market rules and certification requirements. By acting as an agent for qualifications, handling funds, and providing one-stop trade services, the comprehensive agency enables these enterprises to enter the Indonesian market with ease and focus on product development and market expansion.

7. Conclusion

As the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia’s robotics market is entering a phase of rapid growth, offering Chinese robotics companies enormous export opportunities. Yet intricate trade procedures, stringent certification requirements, and financing hurdles often trip up firms trying to enter this market.

Comprehensive Agency Service goes beyond traditional logistics and customs clearance; at its core, it resolves clients’ fundamental issues of “trade qualification” and “capital flow.” Holding full import-export licenses, we can help companies without such rights collect payments in USD and process export tax rebates, creating tangible economic value. Meanwhile, our one-stop service covers the entire journey—from product certification and quality control to logistics, delivery, and after-sales support—ensuring clients’ robotic products enter the Indonesian market smoothly.

Choose Zongdaifu and you’ll receive expert trade guidance, efficient capital handling, and worry-free full-service support, making it effortless for your robotics to open the door to the Indonesian market. Contact us for a tailored export solution and start your journey into Indonesia today.