Moving to Bali is equally exciting as it is terrifying. After all, you’re leaving behind family and friends to start a new adventure. With that in mind, it’s best to start things off on the right foot.
I’ve lived in three countries (Austria, Thailand, and now Indonesia) besides the US, and no matter if I’m moving to Europe or SE Asia, I always follow this set of rules to make my transition easier.
So whether you are moving to Bali for 3 months or permanently, I have prepared a list for you to carefully go through before moving to Bali
- Prepare to rent, sell, or store some of your property and belongings.
- House or Condo sell or use the rent to pay for your property in Bali. There is numerous real estate agency that can reduce the stress of trying to self-manage your rental property while thousands of miles away. It is almost impossible for you to rent without being present to organize maintenance and manage inspections unless of course, you have a willing friend, relative, or already existing tenant.
- Cars– Depending on how long you plan on living in Bali I would sit down and do the math. Is it worth paying all those storage fees? or should you just sell your car and buy a new one when you return. If you have a 69 Bronco, maybe keep it stored at a friend’s house.
- Furniture– storage, sell or donate. Just like your car, you’ll have to do some more math. Is it cheaper to just sell and donate, or pay for storage? Of course, there will be some items important to you such as photographs, family heirlooms, and other bulky items you might want to leave with a family member or close friend.
- Sit down with your accountant to determine your tax position while you are working or not in Indonesia.
- Voters Registration –Although you can now register online to vote, double-check everything is in order and register as a voter living abroad.
- Organize your banking, let them know you will be moving to Bali so you can safely use your cards, make easier transactions, and enter your online account from abroad. Indonesia is on a high-security risk online
- Make sure Passports and visas are in order– double-check this.
- Documents to Bring (originals)
- Medical such as prescriptions, Xrays on a disc, or any other important records.
- Academic such as Diploma, degrees, and certifications.
- Employment, bring your CV, letters from employers, and any other records.
- legal documents
- Birth Certificate
- divorce decree, and any religious documentation like baptism (marriages) in case you want to get married.
- Visit your doctor, get a yellow fever card, stock up on meds. (If you have high blood pressure bring your BP machine, the cuffs here are small).
- International Driver’s License– you will frequently be stopped and asked for this so just make sure you pick one up from AAA.
- Notify correspondents of your change of address let them know you are moving to Bali.
- Credit cards and bank Institutions should be notified you will be moving to Bali. The last thing you need is for your accounts and credit cards to freeze.
- Carry an emergency “cash stash“- The U.S. dollar is still king and it would be smart to bring the maximum which is IDR 100 million (approx. USD $7,500) you can declare when arriving in Indonesia. (I usually keep a money belt) Do not fold your bills because they will depreciate in value.
- Insurance coverage– even f you don’t plan on cliff jumping or surfing over Uluwatus coral reef after moving to Bali, I’d still advise you to get travelers’ insurance. I see tourist riding their motorbikes with cuts, bruises, and casts. I have a page on my site dedicated to the best travel insurance money can buy here.
- Cable or satellite t.v. cancel yours and order yours after you find a place to live, Netflix is getting popular here so keep your subscription although some shows are blocked which brings me to the next recommendation. Get a VPN service.
- House maintenance services, make sure you turn these services off as well before moving to Bali.
- Magazine and newspaper subscriptions should be canceled and request that they put you on do not call list.
- Unlock your cell phone making sure you can insert an international sim card before moving to Bali.
- Establish an American mailing address. Ask a trusted friend or family member to be your official mailbox while you are away.
- Stock up on products you love and Bali doesn’t have
- Do not rent any type of home, apartment, or vila until you see it in person. Most homeowners here will want 1 to 2 years upfront, keep in mind, the longer the term, the better the deal. Don’t be afraid to negotiate.
Restrictions For Shipping Freight
USED AUTOMOBILES Cars, Motorbikes, and Motorized Buggies are only allowed for certain level diplomats.
EXPLOSIVES, ARMS & AMMUNITION
All strictly prohibited including airguns
FOOD ITEMS
Non-perishable food items may be imported in small amounts. Items in cans and another durable packaging in reasonable amounts are allowed for import.
ELECTRONICS
All electronics must have had at least one-year-old of usage. Any new items will be subject to duties. Generally, only one of each major appliance (refrigerator, stove, big flat TV) and reasonable quantities of electronic devices are allowed in duty free. CD’s, DVD’s, VCD’s, Video/Audio Tapes -These items can be imported in ‘reasonable’ quantities providing they are not new, pornographic or politically sensitive.
STATUES
Although these items are not prohibited items, they are considered as very sensitive items (due to recent smuggling cases). Customs will hold and take them to the Indonesian Directorate of History and Archaeology to be examined. This process can last for 4 -9 months until a decision is made that the statues are not antiquities. Any supporting documentation e.g. certificates from origin customs will assist to expedite the clearance process.
DRUGS AND MEDICINE
You can not ship drugs and medicine with Household Goods. You can hand carry everyday medicines in normal household quantities
WINE, LIQUOR or TOBACCO
You can not Import alcohol (wine, spirits & beer) and tobacco. Diplomats are can import alcohol but limited to an annual quota agreed by the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the respective embassies in the country.
PETS
Most companies can arrange for import licenses for Pets coming from Rabies free countries only. There is no limit on how many pets you can import. However, duty charges per pet will apply. Get details of expected duties from the company you choose
Customs Clearance
All shipments undergo Physical Inspection by the Customs at the air terminal/ Sea port. The average time for clearance after the arrival:
Air Shipments5-8 working days
Sea Shipments10-12 working days for FCL (Full Container Load)12-15 working days for LCL (Less Container Load)
Note: Working days are Monday to Friday only
Cost to ship a 40′ container from the USA to Indonesia (Jakarta) $1,189—$1,774 (Average Price)Departing from the West Coast are typically more costly
Required Documents for Shipping Freight For Expatriates
- Original IMTA (Work Permit), or-
- Copy of ITAS online (Residency Permit Electronic Certificate).
- Passport with arrival and residency validation stamps..
- Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB)
- Original Packing List.
- Copy of Boarding Pass entering Indonesia to reside
Diplomatic and Semi Diplomatic shipment:
- PP8 Diplomatic Exemption Letter for Full Diplomatic; or PP19 for Semi Diplomatic (UN, UNICEF, WHO, etc.)
- Passport (endorsed by the Embassy)
- Copy of ID cards (consignee and undersigned Authorization letters, endorsed by the Embassy)
- Copy of Diplomatic Visa (endorsed by the Embassy)
- Reference letter from the Embassy stating solely employed by the Embassy (signed by a Diplomatic Executive from the same office)
- Copy of Diplomatic Note confirming the Diplomatic Executive’s current diplomatic status and position.
- Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB)
- Original Packing List (endorsed by the Embassy) Your PP8/PP19 must be applied by the Embassy/Organisation in Jakarta to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Indonesia (for Diplomatic); to the Ministry of Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesian (for Semi Diplomatic)
Returning Indonesia Residents:
- Original Letter of Reference (Surat Keterangan Pindah) from the origin Indonesian Embassy; ONE original letter for ONE shipment; or
- Original Packing List -endorsed by local Indonesian Embassy
- Original Passport
- Copy of Boarding Pass entering Indonesia to reside
- Your Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB)
DUTY-FREE terms and regulations
- Expatriates must submit both Residency and Working permits with a validity of one full year
- You must complete the Residency permit within fourteen days after arrival to reside.
- Returning Indonesian-must have been out of Indonesia for at least one year with gainful full employment/education, and must provide an employment letter from employer overseas or university/school letter and final education certificate.
- You can only use one air shipment and one sea shipment per family (Air shipment must arrive first before the Sea Shipment) and must arrive within 3 months from the arrival date in Indonesia (per Immigration Admission Stamp in passport). Duties and taxes will apply to additional shipments and/or arrive after the 3-month period.
- All new items/prohibited items found by customs will incur duty charges if not used for at least 12 months
IMPORTANT: Customs requires all Supporting documents to clear customs. Customs will re-export your goods if you fail to. Customs will sell or destroy everything. This information is intended as a general guidance. and was correct at the time of posting. We cannot, however, take responsibility for any errors, omissions, or for any loss or damage that may occur from its use.
I have another article that goes into the pros and cons of moving to Bali, jobs for foreigners, as well as the best places to live and the cost of living.
Do you live abroad? What is something you always do before moving overseas? Share in the comments below.
