Since November 15, 2023, it has been possible again to send goods from Indonesia to Europe by sea freight. This cost-effective shipping method offers a reliable way to receive your orders by post, for example through DHL in Germany. Sea freight from Indonesia to Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other European countries makes it possible to receive products safely and cost-effectively.
Corona stopped global trade
Global trade was significantly affected by the corona pandemic. The shipping of goods in particular was severely affected. From March 2020, for example, it was only possible from Indonesia expensive express shipping to use. This resulted in significant restrictions for companies that rely on international trade. Although the Shipping end of 2021 slowly normalized, the situation in Europe remained problematic as cost-effective shipping options were difficult to obtain. Even normal parcel shipping was reintroduced, but only up to a weight of 2 kg. For anything beyond that, the only option was expensive express shipping.
However, with recent developments, it is encouraging to see that all shipping methods are once again possible for Europe, including low-cost sea freight shipping. This could help reduce the burden on companies and revive international trade. However, it remains to be seen whether this positive development will continue in the long term and whether further measures will be taken to strengthen the resilience of global trade.
The challenges in international shipping during the pandemic have highlighted how fragile global supply chains are. It is now time to learn lessons from these experiences and take action to improve the resilience of international trade infrastructure. This is the only way future crises can be better managed and the opportunities offered by global trade can be fully exploited.
How does sea freight shipping work?
Shipping by sea freight offers a cost-effective and efficient way to transport large quantities of goods over long distances. In contrast to air or express shipping, delivery via sea freight takes longer, but this option is particularly suitable for heavy or bulky goods that do not require time-critical shipping. When shipping by sea, there are various options, including FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less than Container Load) shipping methods, which can be chosen depending on the volume of goods to be shipped.
When sending a package by sea freight, we hand over the package to PosIndonesia, which then collects multiple packages and uses the LCL option to ship the packages to the destination port. The destination port for a package to Germany can be Hamburg, Rotterdam or a port in Italy, depending on the proximity of the package deliveries. At the port, the packages are sorted and forwarded to the destination country via regular mail. From Hamburg and Rotterdam the onward transport takes place overland, from Italy by transport aircraft.
After the package arrives at the destination country, it will be inspected by customs. As a rule, the package is then forwarded to the local customs office and the recipient receives either an SMS or a letter informing them that a customs-eligible package has been delivered. Further information can be found in the relevant texts received from customs.
How much does shipping to Germany from Indonesia cost?
The shipping costs depend on the following points.
Weight of the package
Scope of the package
Goods value
Delivery country
Exchange rate EUR/IDR
Weight and circumference formula
In Indonesia there are special regulations for sending parcels. In addition to the actual weight, the circumference formula also plays a crucial role. This is calculated by taking the length (L) times the width (W) times the height (H) of the package and dividing the result by 5,000. The greater weight of the package or circumference formula determines the shipping weight.
Example:
A package measuring L: 60 cm, W: 40 cm, H: 40 cm would have a calculated weight of 19.2 kg (LxWxH/5,000). Even if the package actually weighs only 10kg, the calculated weight of the circumference formula would be taken into account when calculating the shipping cost.
Value of goods and customs inspection: Indonesia tightens controls
The value of a package corresponds to the insured value and is subject to strict controls in Indonesia. Since 2021, all outgoing packages have been scanned and customs documents thoroughly checked. An incorrect value of goods cannot be used to obtain cheaper customs duties. If there is any uncertainty regarding the contents or value of the goods, the package will simply not be processed further. About two weeks later, the sender receives a message from Indonesian customs about problems declaring the package.
It is mandatory to provide proof of the purchase with a corresponding invoice. If the contents are intentionally incorrectly declared, the shipping costs already paid will not be refunded. These are then lost.
As the sender, I always declare the actual purchase value of the goods.
Example of shipping costs to Germany
Here I would like to give a small list of the shipping costs you can expect.
Weight | Standard Shipping | Express shipping | Sea freight
500g | €17.00 | €33.00 | €27.00
1kg | €30.00 | €39.00 | €27.00
2kg | no longer possible | €51.00 | €27.00
5kg | no longer possible | €86.00 | €33.00
10kg | no longer possible | €145.00 | €46.00
20kg | no longer possible | €262.00 | €73.00
30kg | no longer possible | €380.00 | no longer possible
As can be seen, standard shipping is only possible up to a weight of 1 kg. Although this shipping option is still available, it is more expensive compared to express shipping, so I don’t think it makes sense. Furthermore, sea freight is only possible up to a maximum weight of 20 kg. In this case, it would be advisable to split a package weighing over 20 kg into several packages.
The prices shown are for guidance only. Due to daily exchange rate changes, they are subject to fluctuations and are also dependent on the value of the goods, which in turn determines the insured value of the package.
How does ordering the shipping of goods from Indonesia work?
We have been shipping goods from Indonesia worldwide since 2010. It all started with the exquisite coffee “Kopi Luwak”, which is considered the most expensive coffee in the world. Due to the increasing demand for shopping on Indonesian online platforms such as Tokopedia, Bukalapak, Blibli and Shopee, we have specialized in this service.
Our service covers the entire process, starting with communication with the seller about purchasing the goods, checking them and shipping them to the end customer worldwide. In the last few months we have received an increasing number of inquiries from tourists who were suddenly confronted with suitcases that were too heavy because of souvenirs. Unfortunately, due to a lack of sea freight options, we had to disappoint these customers. However, it is now possible again as long as the packages weigh less than 20 kg.
Inquiries can be made via the contact form, WhatsApp on +62 87 88 2424 150 or by telephone on our German landline number +49 (0)3581 7921528. Of course, a simple request by email to info@shipping-from-indonesia.com is also possible.