Indonesia

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

Freight Transport Business License Required

Yes

Yes, where the mover operates its own vehicles. Household moving falls under “angkutan barang umum” (general, non-hazardous goods requiring no special handling equipment), KBLI classification code 49431. Where a mover subcontracts the transport, the carrier’s own licence covers the transport it performs, and the mover should use carriers that hold the licences that transport requires.

Legal Entity Requirement

Yes, as a condition of the licence. The operating company must be an Indonesian legal entity: a state-owned enterprise (BUMN), regional state-owned enterprise (BUMD), limited company (PT), or cooperative. Sole individual proprietorship does not appear to be an eligible business form for this licence category.

Minimum Fleet Size

Yes, as a condition of the licence. For applicants domiciled on Java, Sumatra, or Bali, a formal statement committing to operate at least 5 motorized vehicles is required.

Application Documents

Business Identification Number (NIB) via the OSS system, tax ID (NPWP), company deed, vehicle registration (STNK) and inspection book copies matching the company’s domicile, a commitment to provide a vehicle storage facility (pool), and a workshop/maintenance facility or partnership arrangement.

Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing

Every 6 months, where the mover operates its own vehicles. Mandatory periodic vehicle testing (KIR, Uji Berkala Kendaraan Bermotor) applies to all commercial freight vehicles; an expired KIR means the vehicle cannot legally operate.

Technical Component Standards

Yes, where the mover operates its own vehicles. Commercial vehicles must use SNI (Indonesian National Standard)-compliant tires (SNI 1811), brakes, and structural components.

Shipment Documentation

Yes, where the mover operates its own vehicles. A Surat Jalan (cargo manifest/delivery letter) is required for every shipment, documenting origin, destination, cargo type, weight, and vehicle details.

Separate Permit for Inter-Provincial Transport

Yes, where the mover operates its own vehicles across provincial borders. Crossing provincial borders within Indonesia (for example, Bali-to-Java crossings via ferry) requires an additional Izin Usaha Angkutan Barang AKAP permit from the Ministry of Transportation, on top of the base licence.

Consumer Protection

Yes. Law No. 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection is Indonesia’s foundational consumer protection statute.

Consumer Complaint Resources (For Movers Not Vetted as ITMs)

Yes. BPKN (Badan Perlindungan Konsumen Nasional), the government consumer protection body, functions primarily in an advisory capacity: providing policy recommendations to government, researching consumer-safety issues, and receiving complaints as input for policy rather than directly resolving individual disputes. The practical, direct complaint-handling body is YLKI (Yayasan Lembaga Konsumen Indonesia), an independent, non-profit consumer organization founded in 1973 (Indonesia’s first independent consumer body), which provides consultation, mediation, advocacy, and direct complaint follow-up for disputes between end consumers and businesses.

Industry Association

None dedicated. No dedicated Indonesian moving-industry trade association was identified in this research. ASPERINDO (Asosiasi Perusahaan Jasa Pengiriman Ekspres, Pos dan Logistik Indonesia), with over 150 member companies, is an active national association, but represents express delivery, postal, and logistics services generally rather than household moving.

OverviewOverview & Scope

Indonesia licenses freight transport under the “angkutan barang umum” category. A mover that operates its own vehicles needs the Freight Transport Business License, which requires an Indonesian legal entity (individual sole proprietorship does not appear eligible), a minimum 5-vehicle fleet commitment for major-island applicants, and a vehicle storage facility, and its vehicles need 6-month roadworthiness testing and SNI technical components. A separate permit layer applies for inter-provincial transport within Indonesia. These obligations attach to the company operating the vehicles: where a mover subcontracts road transport, the carrier’s own licences cover the transport it performs, and the mover should use carriers that hold them.

On the consumer side, the government’s official consumer protection body (BPKN) functions in an advisory capacity rather than directly resolving disputes, while YLKI, an independent organization founded in 1973, serves as the practical complaint-handling and mediation body. There is no dedicated Indonesian moving-industry trade association.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Essentials

Company licensing (where the mover operates its own vehicles)

1. Hold the Freight Transport Business License under the correct KBLI category (49431), obtained through NIB and the OSS system from the correct issuing authority (local Dinas Perhubungan or Ministry of Transportation), as an eligible Indonesian legal entity (BUMN, BUMD, PT, or cooperative), with the 5-vehicle fleet commitment if domiciled on Java, Sumatra, or Bali, and a vehicle storage facility (pool) and workshop/maintenance arrangement.
2. Hold the separate AKAP permit if operating across Indonesian provincial borders.

Vehicles and drivers (where the mover operates its own vehicles)

3. Maintain 6-month vehicle roadworthiness testing (KIR) and SNI-compliant technical components.
4. Issue a Surat Jalan for every shipment.

Subcontracted transport

5. Where transport is subcontracted, use carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they perform.

Customer practices

6. Ensure consumer-facing practices comply with Law No. 8 of 1999.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Company licensing

• Freight Transport Business License held under KBLI 49431 (eligible legal entity, fleet commitment where domiciled on Java, Sumatra or Bali, vehicle pool and workshop arrangement)Where applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired
• AKAP permit held for inter-provincial transportWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles across provincial borders)Verified by DocumentRequired

Subcontracted transport

• Where transport is subcontracted, the mover uses carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they performWhere applicableVerified by AffirmationRequired

Vehicles and drivers (where the mover operates its own vehicles)

• KIR roadworthiness test current for each vehicle (every 6 months)Where applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired
• SNI-compliant tires, brakes and structural components fittedWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by AffirmationRequired
• Surat Jalan issued for each shipmentWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by AffirmationRequired

Customer practices

• Consumer-facing practices comply with Law No. 8 of 1999Verified by AffirmationRequired