1. What is SKI (Surat Keterangan Impor)?
SKI (Surat Keterangan Impor), or Import Certificate, is an official document issued by Indonesia’s BPOM (National Agency of Drug and Food Control). It serves as proof that imported goods—such as cosmetics, food, beverages, and traditional medicines—meet the national safety, quality, and labeling standards required for customs clearance.
Without a valid SKI, importers cannot legally release regulated products from customs. This certificate acts as a final approval that your goods comply with BPOM’s regulatory requirements before entering the Indonesian market.
SKI in Brief:
Issuing Authority: BPOM (Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan)
Purpose: Customs release and import legality verification
Validity: Per shipment basis (not reusable)
Processing Time: Approximately 3-5 working days
2. Why SKI is Required for Importers
The SKI acts as a legal checkpoint for regulated goods entering Indonesia. It ensures that products comply with all health and safety standards prior to being distributed or sold. Obtaining this certificate is not just a formality—it’s a regulatory safeguard protecting public health and the importer’s business credibility.
- Legal Compliance: A mandatory certificate for products under BPOM regulation before customs clearance.
- Faster Clearance: Prevents goods from being detained at ports due to missing regulatory documents.
- Seamless Coordination: Simplifies communication between importer, BPOM, and relevant government systems.
- Quality Assurance: Confirms that imported goods match the approved product registration (NIE).
⚠️ Important: Importing regulated products without an SKI may lead to customs detention, destruction of goods, or administrative sanctions from BPOM.
3. Products Regulated by SKI
The SKI requirement applies to various categories of products regulated by BPOM. Both finished products (Produk Jadi) and bulk/semi-finished products (Produk Ruahan/Bulk) require an SKI before goods can be released from the customs area.
The categories of products covered by SKI requirements include:
- Pharmaceutical Drugs (Obat Jadi)
- Drug Raw Materials (Bahan Baku Obat)
- Traditional Medicines (Obat Tradisional)
- Quasi-drugs (Obat Kuasi)
- Cosmetics (Kosmetika)
- Health Supplements (Suplemen Kesehatan)
- Processed Food Products (Pangan Olahan)
- Food Raw Materials (Bahan Baku Pangan)
- Food Additives (Bahan Tambahan Pangan)
- Complementary Products (Produk Komplemen)
4. Required Documents for SKI Application
Before applying for SKI, importers must prepare the required supporting documents to ensure the imported products are verified and eligible for release.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Analysis (CoA) | Confirms product quality and safety standards |
| Distribution License (Dokumen Izin Edar/NIE) | Proof of product registration and approval under BPOM |
| Commercial Invoice | Verifies transaction details and product information |
| Finished Product Declaration Letter | Statement declaring finished product status |
| SKI Application Letter | Formal request for SKI issuance for finished products |
💡 Tip: Ensure all submitted documents use consistent product names, batch numbers, and registration data. Any mismatch can cause delays or rejection by BPOM’s system.
5. SKI Application Process and Timeline
- Document Preparation: Gather and verify all required documents including Certificate of Analysis, NIE, commercial invoice, and surveyor reports.
- Online Submission: Submit the SKI application through the e-BPOM system with all necessary attachments.
- BPOM Review: BPOM reviews the submitted data and verifies conformity with product registration records.
- SKI Issuance: Upon approval, BPOM issues the SKI certificate. Average processing time is 3 working days after complete submission.
- Customs Clearance: Use the SKI certificate to release goods legally from customs.
Estimated Timeline: Approximately 3 working days after complete submission (may vary depending on document completeness and BPOM workload).
6. Submission Requirements and Limitations
Maximum Products per Submission
Each submission (one reference number) can include a maximum of 20 (twenty) product items. For shipments containing more items, multiple submissions must be prepared accordingly.
Cosmetics Notification Validity
If the cosmetics notification validity period is less than three months remaining, businesses must submit supporting documents including proof of registration renewal from the Directorate of OTSK (Obat Tradisional, Suplemen Kesehatan, Kosmetika) and proof of billing ID registration payment.
Shelf Life Requirements for Cosmetics
Imported cosmetics must have a minimum remaining shelf life of 1/3 (one-third) of the total shelf life. For example, if a product has a shelf life of 3 (three) years, it must have at least 1 (one) year of remaining validity at the time of import.
Pro Tip: Plan your import timing strategically, especially for cosmetics. Ensure BPOM registration (NIE) is valid and all documents are synchronized before initiating SKI submission. This coordination can significantly reduce customs clearance time.
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