A Surveyor Report (Laporan Surveyor/LS) is one of the important documents required by importers when shipping certain imported commodities into Indonesia.
This document helps importers ensure that the goods being shipped comply with government regulations and the specifications that were purchased.
To obtain a Surveyor Report, importers need to understand and prepare several supporting documents.
So, what documents are required?
This article explains the documents importers need to know and prepare when processing a Surveyor Report.
1. Company Profile Documents
Company profile documents are required to register the company or importer in the system of an Independent Surveyor Institution (LSI) before requesting an inspection or verification of imported goods.
Several company profile documents may be required during registration.
Business Identification Number (NIB)
A Business Identification Number (Nomor Induk Berusaha/NIB) is an identification number for business operators based on the business activity regulated under the 2020 Indonesian Standard Industrial Classification (KBLI).
The classification distinguishes business activities according to the type of economic activity that produces goods or services.
The NIB serves as:
- Proof of registration for business operators
- Business identity for conducting commercial activities
The NIB also provides several administrative and licensing functions.
It may serve as:
- Company Registration Certificate (TDP)
- Import Identification Number (API) for businesses conducting import activities
- Customs Access for businesses conducting export and import activities
With an NIB, business operators do not need to separately process several business licensing documents such as:
- TDP
- IUI
- SIUP
The NIB replaces these documents for operational and commercial licensing purposes.
Taxpayer Identification Number (NPWP)
The Taxpayer Identification Number (Nomor Pokok Wajib Pajak/NPWP) is a tax identification number issued to individuals or business entities.
The number confirms that an individual or business entity is registered as a taxpayer and fulfills tax obligations related to its income.
The NPWP is issued by the Directorate General of Taxes under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia.
2. Import Identification Number (API)
The Import Identification Number (Angka Pengenal Impor/API) is an identification number that must be held by importers conducting import activities.
The API remains active as long as the importer continues conducting import activities.
It can be held by:
- Individuals
- Business entities
The use of API is regulated under Minister of Trade Regulation No. 75 of 2018 concerning Importer Identification Numbers.
There are two types of API that importers need to understand.
API-U
API-U (General Importer Identification Number) is used by importers that import goods for trading or resale purposes.
API-P
API-P (Producer Importer Identification Number) is used by importers that import goods to fulfill or support their own production activities.
These imported goods are generally used directly by the company.
Products commonly imported by producer companies include:
- Raw materials
- Capital goods
- Supporting materials
- Other production-related goods
3. Import Approval (SPI)
An Import Approval (Surat Persetujuan Impor/SPI) is an approval issued by the Ministry of Trade allowing an importer to import certain commodities.
This permit is required in connection with the LARTAS (Prohibitions and Restrictions) policy for certain products.
The document is one of the requirements for bringing imported goods into the Indonesian customs territory.
If an importer cannot provide the required Import Approval, the goods may be re-exported to the country of origin.
Examples of commodities that may require an SPI include:
- Iron or steel
- Alloy steel and derivative products
- Forestry products
- Footwear
- Textiles and textile products
- Used capital goods
For more information about Import Approval documents, click here.
4. Proforma Invoice
A Proforma Invoice is a preliminary invoice provided by the exporter to the importer before the goods are shipped.
This invoice contains information about the specifications of the imported goods, including:
- Quantity
- Type of goods
- Quality
- Price
During Surveyor Report processing, the surveyor may request information from the Proforma Invoice as a reference for conducting technical verification and inspection of the imported commodities.
5. Export Packing List
An Export Packing List provides detailed information regarding how imported goods are packed before being shipped to Indonesia.
The document contains information about the specifications of the goods and their handling throughout the supply chain.
Information in the packing list helps parties involved in the shipment handle the goods appropriately.
A packing list may contain information such as:
- Exporter details
- Consignee details
- Buyer details
- Type of shipment
- Shipping method
- Country of origin
- Final destination country
- Voyage number
- Departure date
- Authorized signature
6. Bill of Lading
A Bill of Lading (B/L) is a legal document containing the shipping agreement between:
- Shipper
- Consignee
- Carrier
The document contains information needed by the carrier or shipping company to transport and deliver the goods safely to the consignee.
Information generally included in a Bill of Lading includes:
- Shipper's name
- Vessel name
- Cargo details
- Port of loading
- Port of discharge
- Handling instructions
- Payment method
- Consignee name
During Surveyor Report processing, information from the Bill of Lading is required by the surveyor’s overseas affiliate as a reference for technical verification and inspection.
The surveyor will check whether the shipped goods are consistent with the information and handling instructions stated in the Bill of Lading.
The surveyor will generally request Bill of Lading information after the Verification Order has been issued.
7. Certificate of Origin
A Certificate of Origin (COO), or Surat Keterangan Asal, is a document stating that an imported commodity originates from a specific country and complies with the applicable requirements of that country.
During Surveyor Report processing, this document is not always mandatory.
It may only apply to certain products.
This can depend on bilateral, multilateral, unilateral, or preferential trade arrangements between Indonesia and the country of origin.
These arrangements may affect:
- Market access
- Import duties
- Preferential tariffs
- Import requirements for certain commodities
Importers in Indonesia need to check whether their imported goods require a Certificate of Origin.
If required, the importer can request the document from the exporter because the Certificate of Origin is issued in the country of origin of the imported commodity.
8. Verification Request (VR)
A Verification Request (VR) is a document submitted by the importer to an Independent Surveyor Institution (LSI) requesting technical verification and inspection of imported commodities in the country of origin or country of loading.
The importer submits the VR to the LSI administrator after the importer has been registered in the surveyor’s system.
The VR serves as an official request for the LSI to begin processing the technical verification.
Without a Verification Request, the technical verification and inspection process cannot proceed.
9. Verification Order (VO)
A Verification Order (VO) is a document issued by the LSI to communicate with its surveyor affiliate in the country of origin or country of loading.
The VO instructs the surveyor affiliate to conduct the required technical verification and inspection.
This document serves as the basis and operational reference for the surveyor during the verification process.
Before issuing the Verification Order, the LSI will generally request confirmation from the importer to ensure that the specifications and information about the goods to be imported are correct.
Summary of Documents Required for Surveyor Report Processing
The main documents discussed above include:
- Company Profile Documents
- NIB
- NPWP
- Import Identification Number (API)
- Import Approval (SPI)
- Proforma Invoice
- Export Packing List
- Bill of Lading
- Certificate of Origin
- Verification Request (VR)
- Verification Order (VO)
These documents support different stages of the Surveyor Report process, from company registration and import licensing to shipping verification and technical inspection.
Processing all of these documents can require significant time and resources.
In addition, the importation process may involve other requirements, such as:
- Technical Consideration
- Import licensing
- Customs clearance
- Other supporting documents
Surveyor Report Services with PT. Alpha Romeo Teknologi
Importers do not need to handle the entire Surveyor Report process independently.
A third-party service provider can assist with Surveyor Report processing and other import-related administrative requirements.
This can simplify the administrative process and allow companies to focus more on developing their business.
PT. Alpha Romeo Teknologi can assist businesses with various administrative requirements related to the importation process, including the issuance of Surveyor Reports.
We are committed to providing:
- Timely processing
- Easy communication
- Professional service
- Competitive service fees
Interested in our Surveyor Report services?