With the continuous growth of trade between China and Indonesia, logistics and transportation have become a key link in connecting the economic exchanges between the two countries. It is crucial for import and export companies to understand the composition, influencing factors and cost-saving methods of transportation costs. This article will introduce this in detail.
Market Demand in Indonesia
Indonesia is the largest economy in Southeast Asia, with huge consumer market potential. With the rapid development of e-commerce, manufacturing and infrastructure construction, Indonesia’s demand for imported goods continues to grow, especially electronic products, machinery and equipment, textiles and daily consumer goods.
How to Ship from China to Indonesia
You can choose a suitable mode of transportation from China to Indonesia according to the characteristics of the goods. The following are the characteristics of different modes of transportation
Sea Freight
Sea transportation is usually suitable for bulk goods, non-urgent goods, especially bulk goods or goods that are transported for a long time.
The advantage of sea transportation is that the transportation volume is large and the cost is relatively low, but the speed is slow. It can transport various types of goods, including bulk goods, container goods, dangerous goods, etc. The sea transportation routes are relatively fixed, and the stability of shipping schedules and cargo transportation is good.
Air Freight
Air transport usually has a shorter transportation time and is suitable for goods that need to be delivered quickly, such as electronic products, medical supplies, etc.
It is relatively safer, and the goods are not easily affected by the environment and external conditions. Flights are frequent and more flexible. Different flights and routes can be selected for transportation, reducing waiting time. Due to the weight and size restrictions of cargo planes, it is only an ideal choice for smaller and lighter goods.
Shipping Cost from China to Indonesia
The cost of shipping from China to Indonesia varies depending on the mode of transport (sea or air), type of cargo, weight, volume, distance, shipping time, and related additional charges. Here is an introduction to the different types of shipping services:
- Basic Freight Rate: Ocean freight is calculated by container type or volume ton, and air freight is calculated by actual weight or volume weight
- Domestic transportation fee: at the place of departure: such as truck transportation fee from factory to port.
- Export customs clearance fee: such as customs clearance documents and fees required for FOB export.
- Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF): A fuel surcharge is usually added to the ocean freight, and the specific amount will vary according to oil price fluctuations.
- Port charges: Includes loading and unloading charges at the port of departure and the port of destination.
- Customs clearance fees: Includes customs clearance and other related handling fees at the port of destination.
- Insurance costs: If the goods need to be insured, the cost is usually calculated based on the value of the goods and the transportation risk.
| Shipping Mode | Description | Cost Estimate |
| LCL (Less than Container Load) | Perfect for smaller shipments that don’t fill a container. | $80-$130 per cubic meter |
| FCL (Full Container Load) | Ideal for large shipments, offering more cost efficiency. | Container rate $1000-$3200 |
| Express Shipping | Best for urgent deliveries that can’t wait. | Starts from $10 per kilogram |
| Air Freight | Fastest option for high-value or time-sensitive goods. | $4-$7 per kilogram |
Cost of Shipping 20ft to 40ft Container from China to Indonesia
Ocean freight costs are usually calculated based on the size of the container (20ft and 40ft). The following are the different costs between shipping from different ports in China to ports in Indonesia:
| POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of Indonesia) | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Jakarta | $950–$1150 | $1200–$1800 |
| Ningbo | Jakarta | $950–$1250 | $1250–$1850 |
| Shenzhen | Jakarta | $850–$1100 | $1150–$1750 |
| Shanghai | Surabaya | $920 – $1050 | $1250–$1800 |
| Ningbo | Surabaya | $900 – $1140 | $1150–$1750 |
| Shenzhen | Surabaya | $800 – $1050 | $1100 – $1700 |
| Shanghai | Semarang | $950 – $1200 | $1120 – $1840 |
| Ningbo | Semarang | $900 – $1170 | $1140 – $1750 |
| Shenzhen | Semarang | $830 – $1050 | $1100 – $1700 |
Air Freight Cost from China to the Indonesia
Air freight costs are usually calculated based on the actual weight or volume weight of the goods. For lighter but larger goods, air freight costs are usually calculated based on volume weight, which is calculated as: length cm × width cm × height cm ÷ 6000.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Indonesia) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Soekarno-Hatta | $5.0 – $9.6 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Soekarno-Hatta | $5.0 – $9.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Soekarno-Hatta | $5.5 – $9.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Juanda | $5.5 – $10.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Juanda | $5.0 – $9.5 |
| Beijing Capital | Juanda | $5.5 – $9.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Kuala Namu | $5.0 – $8.8 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Kuala Namu | $6.5 – $10.0 |
| Beijing Capital | Kuala Namu | $5.0 – $9.6 |
Read below for shipping costs to other countries to help you understand more:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to South Korea
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Japan
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to the Philippines
Factors that Affect of Shipping Cost from China to Indonesia
The transportation cost is also affected by the following factors
- Cargo type and volume weight: Oversized and overweight cargoes are expensive to transport.
- Transportation mode selection: Air transportation is fast but expensive, while sea transportation is slow but economical.
- Shipping location and arrival port: Inland areas require additional trailer costs.
- Customs clearance difficulty: Accurate HS code and invoice information must be provided to avoid additional customs clearance fees.
- Whether it is a peak season shipment: such as before Ramadan, Double Eleven, etc., transportation resources are tight and prices rise.
- Logistics service type: If it includes DDP, whether it is tax-inclusive, etc., the price is different.
Strategies to Reduce of Shipping Cost from China to Indonesia
Choose the right method
For small goods, choose LCL or dedicated line, and for large goods, choose FCL, which is more cost-effective.
Plan the delivery time in advance
Avoid the peak season and holidays.
Integrate cargo shipments
Merge multiple batches of goods to save LCL and customs clearance costs.
Be familiar with Indonesian customs clearance policies
Avoid port detention or fines due to incorrect information.
Use e-commerce customs clearance channels
Suitable for small goods, tariff concessions, and high customs clearance efficiency.
Sign a long-term cooperation agreement
Negotiate with freight forwarders to obtain lower prices and priority services.
The cost of shipping from China to Indonesia is affected by many factors. By optimizing transportation methods, making reasonable plans, and choosing professional freight forwarders, this article can effectively reduce logistics costs and improve supply chain efficiency.