{"id":12751,"date":"2025-11-27T04:43:29","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T21:43:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/investinasia.id\/blog\/?p=12751"},"modified":"2025-11-27T11:19:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T04:19:20","slug":"indonesias-biggest-imports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/investinasia.id\/blog\/indonesias-biggest-imports\/","title":{"rendered":"Indonesia’s Biggest Imports: A Detailed Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"

Indonesia imports large volumes of refined petroleum, crude oil, machinery, electrical equipment, and iron and steel products\u2014core sectors that shape the nation\u2019s industrial supply chain. Major trade partners such as China, Singapore, and Japan supply these essential goods, reinforcing Indonesia\u2019s position as a fast-growing importer in Southeast Asia. Indonesia\u2019s import profile for 2022 totaled $237.4 billion, reflecting a 21.3% year-over-year rise driven by expanding domestic demand and industrial modernization.<\/p>\n

Also read:<\/strong>\u00a0Major Industries in Indonesia (Based on Contribution to GDP)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Key Drivers Behind Indonesia\u2019s Import Growth<\/h2>\n

Several factors contributed to the sharp increase in Indonesia\u2019s imports between 2021 and 2022. The most significant was the depreciation of the Indonesian rupiah against the US dollar. Since 2018, the rupiah has fallen by 4.3% against the US dollar, with a 3.8% decline from 2021 to 2022 alone. This depreciation made imports more expensive, especially those priced in US dollars, thereby inflating the overall import value.<\/p>\n

Also read:<\/strong> Indonesia\u2019s Top Trading Partners (Export-Import)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Top Import Categories in Indonesia<\/h2>\n
\"Indonesia's
Indonesia’s Biggest Imports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Indonesia\u2019s import portfolio is diverse, encompassing a wide range of products. However, three categories dominate:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Machinery and Equipment (26.3%)<\/strong>: Machinery, including computers, remains Indonesia\u2019s largest import category. In 2022, machinery imports were valued at $31.6 billion, accounting for 13.3% of total imports. This category saw a significant increase, reflecting the country\u2019s growing demand for technological infrastructure and industrial machinery.<\/li>\n
  2. Chemicals (11.7%)<\/strong>: The chemical sector is another vital area for Indonesia\u2019s imports. With a total import value of $7.7 billion, organic chemicals form a substantial part of this category, highlighting Indonesia\u2019s need for raw materials in its growing pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries.<\/li>\n
  3. Mineral Fuels and Lubricants (11.4%)<\/strong>: Indonesia heavily relies on imports of mineral fuels, including oil, to meet its energy needs. In 2022, mineral fuels accounted for $44.9 billion, or 18.9% of total imports, making it the single largest import category by value. This was driven by significant increases in imports of processed petroleum oils and crude oil.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Also read:<\/strong> Indonesia Manufacturing Industry: Outlook and Opportunities<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Indonesia\u2019s Top 10 Imports<\/h2>\n

    The top 10 import products reflect the country\u2019s industrial and consumer needs:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Mineral fuels including oil<\/strong>: $44.9 billion (18.9% of total imports)<\/li>\n
    2. Machinery including computers<\/strong>: $31.6 billion (13.3%)<\/li>\n
    3. Electrical machinery and equipment<\/strong>: $26.4 billion (11.1%)<\/li>\n
    4. Iron and steel<\/strong>: $13.9 billion (5.9%)<\/li>\n
    5. Plastics and plastic articles<\/strong>: $11.1 billion (4.7%)<\/li>\n
    6. Vehicles<\/strong>: $9.5 billion (4%)<\/li>\n
    7. Organic chemicals<\/strong>: $7.7 billion (3.2%)<\/li>\n
    8. Food industry waste and animal fodder<\/strong>: $4.6 billion (1.9%)<\/li>\n
    9. Cereals<\/strong>: $4.5 billion (1.9%)<\/li>\n
    10. Iron or steel products<\/strong>: $4 billion (1.7%)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      These top 10 categories accounted for two-thirds (66.6%) of Indonesia\u2019s total import value in 2022, with mineral fuels, machinery, and electrical equipment leading the pack.<\/p>\n

      Also read;<\/strong> Indonesia\u2019s Biggest Export: Top Products and Commodities<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

      Major Suppliers to Indonesia<\/h2>\n

      Indonesia\u2019s import market is heavily influenced by its Asian neighbors. In 2022, 74.8% of the country\u2019s imports by value were sourced from Asia, with mainland China leading the way at 28.5%. Other significant suppliers included Singapore (8.2%), Japan (7.2%), and Malaysia (5.3%). The United States and European nations also played key roles, supplying 6.3% and 6.8% of Indonesia\u2019s imports, respectively.<\/p>\n

      Also read:<\/strong> What Products Are Most in Demand in Indonesia?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

      The Shift Towards High-Value-Added Imports<\/h2>\n
      \"Indonesia's
      Indonesia’s Biggest Imports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      While commodities remain a significant part of Indonesia\u2019s imports, the government is actively working to shift the focus towards high-value-added products. This strategic move is designed to make Indonesia\u2019s economy more resilient to global economic shocks and to create more employment opportunities within the country. The growing imports of machinery, electronics, and chemicals indicate progress in this direction, as these products are essential for the development of Indonesia\u2019s industrial base.<\/p>\n

      Indonesia\u2019s import landscape is a dynamic reflection of its economic growth and the challenges it faces. With the Indonesian rupiah\u2019s depreciation making imports more expensive, the country\u2019s reliance on foreign goods, particularly machinery, chemicals, and mineral fuels, has only grown. As Indonesia continues to expand its economy, the strategic focus on high-value-added imports will likely shape its future trade patterns, driving further industrialization and economic diversification.<\/p>\n

      Also read:<\/strong> Top Foreign Investors in Indonesia (by Country and Continent)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

      For more information on Indonesia\u2019s import regulations, you can consult for FREE<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0with InvestinAsia\u2019s legal team.<\/p>\n

      Then, for businesses<\/a> who want to import to Indonesia, you can rely on InvestinAsia\u2019s Indonesia Import License Services<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0to take care of the licensing.<\/p>\n

      More than that, we also provides various services related to business in Indonesia. InvestinAsia is among the companies that specialize in aiding you with\u00a0company registration Indonesia<\/a><\/strong>. We boast a team of seasoned experts who can guide you throughout the process of:<\/p>\n