Note: As of October 2025, Regulation No. 5/2025 reduced the minimum paid-up capital for foreign companies to IDR 2.5 billion, with the IDR 10 billion investment plan requirement remaining in place.
Indonesia’s warehousing and logistics industry is seeing rapid growth, propelled by surging e-commerce, domestic consumption, and industrial expansion.
Recent market studies estimate the warehousing sector will reach USD 4.25 billion by 2028. In parallel, Indonesia’s broader freight and logistics market is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%, reaching USD 131.2 billion by 2025. These figures highlight strong demand for storage and distribution services, particularly in logistics hubs such as Jakarta, Bekasi, Surabaya, and Batam.
For foreign investors planning to establish operations in this space, securing a Warehouse Registration Certificate — known locally as Tanda Daftar Gudang (TDG) — is a fundamental regulatory requirement. This certificate, issued by the Ministry of Trade, certifies that the warehouse is legally authorized to store and distribute goods for commercial purposes.
Scope and Classification of Warehouses in Indonesia
In Indonesia, all commercial warehouses that store goods for third parties or internal distribution must be registered under the TDG regulations. This includes general-purpose storage facilities, cold storage warehouses, and bonded warehouses regulated by customs authorities. Even bonded warehouses, although subject to additional customs procedures, require a TDG from the Ministry of Trade to operate within Indonesia’s domestic distribution network legally.
Warehouses are classified based on size and storage capacity. According to Ministry of Trade Regulation No. 90/2014, Class A warehouses typically exceed 1,000 square meters, while Class B warehouses fall between 500 and 1,000 square meters. These classifications determine not only documentation requirements but also the level of inspection and infrastructure standards applicable during the licensing process.
Investment Regulations and Foreign Ownership Structures
Foreign investors can fully own warehousing operations in Indonesia, provided they establish a PT PMA (foreign-owned limited liability company). The minimum capital requirement for such a company is IDR 10 billion. This requirement is consistent across most non-restricted sectors under Indonesia’s Positive Investment List.
The PT PMA must have at least two shareholders and must appoint both a board of directors and a board of commissioners. Ownership of 100% by foreign shareholders is allowed in the warehousing sector, but zoning regulations may limit access to certain land areas, especially outside designated industrial or logistics zones.
Licensing and Prerequisites Before Registration
Before applying for a Warehouse Registration Certificate, a foreign-owned company must secure all core licenses and permits required to operate legally in Indonesia. This includes a Business Identification Number (NIB), which serves as a master license for business activities and is obtained through the OSS system. The company must also be registered with the tax authorities and possess a valid NPWP (Taxpayer Identification Number).
Additional prerequisites include a location permit and a building utilization certificate, often referred to as SLF. Depending on the warehouse’s size and potential environmental impact, the business may also be required to submit an environmental management plan (UKL-UPL) or conduct a full environmental impact assessment (AMDAL). Fire safety clearance, typically issued by the local fire department, is also mandatory and must be secured before applying for the TDG.
Documentation Required for Warehouse Certification
The documentation required for warehouse registration is extensive. Companies must provide their deed of establishment and Articles of Association, along with investment approvals from BKPM or records in the OSS system. A detailed floor plan of the warehouse, an equipment list, and documentation on safety and inventory procedures must be submitted.
MAP Resources Indonesia can guide you through licensing, compliance, and OSS procedures. Contact us today.
If the warehouse stores regulated goods, such as pharmaceuticals, food, or chemicals, licenses from relevant sectoral authorities must also be included. All documents must be submitted in Indonesian or officially translated by a sworn translator. Insurance coverage for warehouse liability is generally expected and should be documented in the submission as well.
Step-by-Step Process for Obtaining the Warehouse Registration Certificate
Confirm all prerequisite licenses and permits
The process begins by ensuring that the PT PMA holds all necessary business licenses and permits. These include the NIB, the NPWP, location permits, environmental approvals such as UKL-UPL or AMDAL, and a fire safety certificate. These documents must be valid, complete, and correctly recorded in the OSS system. Inaccuracies or missing entries will block the application from proceeding.
Prepare the application documentation
Once the foundational licenses are in place, the company compiles a complete documentation package. This includes the deed of establishment, articles of association, BKPM or OSS approvals, warehouse layout plans, equipment lists, safety procedures, operational manuals, and insurance documentation. If regulated goods are to be stored, licenses from the relevant ministries must also be included. All documents must be submitted in Indonesian or accompanied by sworn translations.
Apply for OSS
With the documents ready, the application is submitted through the OSS (Online Single Submission) portal under the company’s NIB. The OSS system routes the application to the relevant trade office — central or regional — based on the warehouse’s location. The initial administrative check typically takes one to three working days. During this time, the authorities assess the completeness and compliance of the submission.
Undergo physical warehouse inspection
Once the application is deemed complete, a physical inspection is scheduled. Officials from the Ministry of Trade or the regional trade office will inspect the warehouse to verify its physical condition, layout consistency, safety systems, and operational readiness. The inspection is usually conducted within five to ten working days. Warehouses must be clean, equipped, and operational during the visit.
Pay the applicable government fees
After a successful inspection, the applicant is instructed to pay the warehouse registration fee, which may vary depending on local regulations and administrative policies.
Payment is made through the OSS portal and must be confirmed before the certificate can be issued. If there are discrepancies or pending fees from other licensing obligations, these must be cleared before final approval.
Receive the warehouse registration certificate
Following verification of payment and final approval, the Warehouse Registration Certificate is issued digitally through the OSS system. The TDG includes the warehouse’s registration number, classification, operational details, and validity period. The entire process, from initial preparation to issuance, typically takes between two to six weeks, although timelines may be shorter for companies operating within industrial estates that offer integrated regulatory support.
Compliance and Operational Requirements After Registration
Once registered, warehouses must comply with ongoing operational obligations. These include keeping inventory records up to date, maintaining safety protocols, and conducting staff training. Companies must also submit updates to the OSS system when material changes occur, such as the expansion of the warehouse, a change in the type of goods stored, or adjustments in operational scope.
Non-compliance with these requirements may trigger inspections or administrative sanctions. For example, if a warehouse exceeds its approved storage capacity or alters its use from dry storage to cold storage without updating its TDG, it may be penalized or have its certificate suspended.
Typical Costs and Estimated Timeline
While the government fee for the TDG itself is relatively modest, the total cost of registration is higher when factoring in support services. Foreign investors should budget between IDR 10 million and IDR 25 million to cover consultant fees, architectural design services for floor plans, translation and notarization of legal documents, and environmental assessments.
Assuming documentation is complete and inspections proceed smoothly, most foreign-owned companies can expect the full licensing process, from initial preparation to TDG issuance, to take between four and eight weeks.
Common Issues and How to Address Them
Foreign investors commonly face delays due to mismatches between submitted documentation and OSS records, lack of zoning compliance, or misunderstanding of the risk-based licensing classifications in OSS. Challenges may also arise if supporting permits, such as fire safety clearance, are issued late or if environmental documentation is incomplete.
To address these risks, companies are encouraged to work with local compliance advisors who are experienced in handling warehouse registrations. This helps bridge language and regulatory gaps and ensures timely coordination with multiple government agencies involved in the process.
Work with Our Experts at MAP Resources Indonesia
MAP Resources Indonesia provides end-to-end support for foreign investors looking to establish compliant and efficient warehouse operations. Contact us today at info@mapresourcesindonesia.com to begin your registration process with confidence.
