Do I need to have a company or business license to export from Indonesia?

Here’s what you need to know before asking that question.

If you’ve made something worth selling - like handmade crafts, skincare, clothing, or even coffee beans - and a buyer from overseas is interested, the question hits: “Do I need a company to export this?”

This is one of the most common worries for new exporters in Indonesia. The short answer? Yes and no. It depends on the scale, method, and your long-term plan. If you're just starting out and testing the waters, you can export as an individual but only in a limited way. You’ll likely need to work with an export aggregator or freight forwarder that already has the required licenses. They’ll handle customs clearance, documentation, and taxes on your behalf - with services like ZendEase available to help.

But if you're serious about growing your business internationally, it’s better to register your business legally. It doesn’t have to be complicated; even a CV or sole proprietorship (UD) can give you access to tools like:

• NIB (Nomor Induk Berusaha)
• API (Exporter Identification Number)
• Easier cooperation with customs, logistics, and banks

But, if you want to export products from Indonesia and don’t have a business license like an NIB (Nomor Induk Berusaha), or you are just starting on a small scale (e.g., an individual online seller or artisan), you can also still export your products by:

• Partnering with export service providers (like ZendEase)
• Also, using the third-party logistics companies that handle customs clearance

Here, ZendEase can handle your entire export process from Indonesia legally and hassle-free. So if you don’t have NIB or any other document, you can contact ZendEase to handle it. We use our company license to manage your export documents, including permits (CIPL, COO, BL), and customs clearance. We also provide extra support like phytosanitary, V-Legal, and GACC.

If you're just shipping a few items here and there, you can start small, but know your limits. As soon as you want to grow, go legal. It opens doors to smoother exports, bigger opportunities, and long-term success. Exporting from Indonesia isn’t as hard as it seems. Start small, but plan smart. The world is ready for your product. You just need the right papers to send it out.

From Indonesia to the world - export your products legally and effortlessly with ZendEase. Start your journey today by contacting indonesia@zendease.com.