How Customs Recordal Can Prevent Counterfeit Goods From Entering Indonesia
Indonesia’s attempts to improve coordination between DJKI, Customs, and the Courts aims to prevent counterfeit goods from entering the market. At the center of this effort is rekordasi (recordal); a free, online trademark recording system that allows Customs officials to identify suspected infringing goods at the border and coordinate enforcement actions with rights holders. Our blog explains how recordal works, why it matters, and the suggested next-steps for trademark owners.
The Push for Stronger Border Enforcement
The circulation of counterfeit products remains a persistent challenge in Indonesia’s physical and online marketplaces. Many of these goods misuse well-known foreign and local trademarks that have not been officially recorded with the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGCE). To address this, Indonesia’s Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DJKI) has renewed its call for trademark owners to complete rekordasi (recordal), a system designed to give Customs the legal basis and practical tools to stop unauthorized goods at the border.
While trademark registration grants exclusive rights, rekordasi strengthens the practical enforceability of those rights at the border. Without it, Customs may have limited ability to identify, inspect, and detain potentially infringing shipments. DJKI officials highlight that many brand owners, especially foreign rightsholders, face unnecessary financial losses simply because they have not completed this essential administrative step.
What Is Customs Recordal and Why Does It Matter?
Customs recordal is the official recording of a registered trademark and its rights holder in the Customs system. It functions as a preventive tool, allowing border officials to initiate early inspections and suspend suspicious imports, subject to follow-up action by the rights holder.
Bapak Arie Ardian Rishadi, Director of Law Enforcement at DJKI, emphasises recordal’s importance. Through this mechanism, DJKI and Customs can coordinate inspections and enforcement at ports of entry. This synergy allows for quicker decision-making, clearer enforcement protocols, and more effective protection for brand owners.
Customs recordals at Indonesian Customs are filed without government fees, making it one of the most accessible border enforcement frameworks in the region. In many other jurisdictions, companies must pay administrative fees to activate similar protections.
How to File Customs Recordal in Indonesia
Customs recordals are filed through DGCE’s online system. The process is straightforward but requires specific documentation and adherence to official procedures.
Eligibility Requirements
Before filing customs recordal, ensure:
- Your trademark is registered with DJKI (Directorate General of Intellectual Property)
- You possess a valid trademark registration certificate
- Your trademark registration remains active and current
For foreign trademark owners: Recordal can be filed through your Indonesian legal entity or appointed local attorney/IP consultant in Indonesia. Contact our team at enquiries@skclaw.id to request our General Advice document on Customs Enforcement in Indonesia.
Coordination Among Institutions
Effective border control requires strong cooperation between several government institutions. Below are some of the key alignments highlighted:
| DJKI | responsible for verifying trademark ownership and coordinating with rights holders. |
| Customs (DGCE) | tasked with monitoring, inspecting, and detaining suspicious goods at entry points. |
| The Courts | empowered to issue decisions, facilitate seizures, and handle complaint-based criminal proceedings. |
Bapak R. Tarto Sudarsono, Head of Cross-Border Crimes II at DGCE, emphasized the central role of Customs in stopping counterfeit goods before they enter circulation. He reiterates that customs recordal is a critical preventive measure that enhances efficiency and strengthens enforcement.
With rekordasi filed, Customs can access trademark data instantly. This transparency helps officers differentiate counterfeit shipments from parallel imports, legitimate goods, and grey-market products; an area where brand confusion is common.
Understanding Complaint-Based Trademark Offences
One challenge in Indonesia’s trademark enforcement framework is the nature of delik aduan, or complaint-based offences. Criminal proceedings for trademark misuse cannot begin unless the trademark owner formally reports a suspected violation.
As Ibu Nova Susanti of DJKI explains, government agencies cannot act unilaterally, even when infringement is clear. Without an official complaint, law enforcement officials are legally unable to initiate a case.
This framework places responsibility on trademark owners to:
- Actively monitor the market
- File recordal to strengthen preventive enforcement
- Report violations when they occur
Customs recordals ensure that verified rights-holder data is available to Custom officers, reducing verification time once a complaint is filed.
Insights and Practical Takeaways
From a commercial and legal strategy perspective, recordal offers several advantages:
| Immediate Activation of Border Controls | Once recorded, Customs officers can identify rights holders and detain suspicious goods without delay. |
| Zero Filing Fees | With no administrative cost, the process is highly accessible even for companies managing large portfolios of brands. |
| Strengthened Evidence Trail | Rekordasi creates an official record that supports enforcement efforts and improves coordination during raids, inspections, and seizures. |
| Proactive Protection in High-Risk Sectors | Companies in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), automotive parts, electronics, and fashion should prioritise rekordasi as these sectors are frequent targets of counterfeiters. |
| Streamlined Online Filing | Applications are submitted digitally, and procedural guidance is publicly available through Customs’ official channels, including the Instagram account @rekordasibeacukai. |
For trademark owners, the message is clear:
Record your trademarks, actively monitor your brands, and report violations.
These steps not only safeguard commercial value but also contribute to a healthier, more trusted marketplace in Indonesia.
For businesses assessing whether rekordasi aligns with their broader brand protection and supply-chain risk strategy in Indonesia, SKC Law is ready to provide straightforward services to meet your needs. contact our team at enquiries@skclaw.id.
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