Medan, Indonesia
Customs clearance in Medan
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Medan. Customs clearance in Indonesia is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
Industries in Medan and how we support them
Medan is the hub of North Sumatra's plantation economy, with palm oil, rubber, coffee and cocoa production and processing in the surrounding regencies. The Sei Mangkei special economic zone focuses on palm oil and rubber downstream industries. Medan also has food processing and general manufacturing. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with FCL sea freight via Belawan, air freight via KNO on our own air waybills, Next Flight Out for urgent mill and plant spare parts and On-Board Couriers for critical items. Customs clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
Operational logistics facts for Medan
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Kualanamu International Airport (KNO) | International and domestic air freight | Main airport of North Sumatra with rail and toll road access |
| Port of Belawan | FCL and LCL, palm oil products, rubber | Main container port of North Sumatra |
| Sei Mangkei special economic zone | Palm oil and rubber downstream industry | Zone facilities for qualified companies |
| North Sumatra plantations | Palm oil, rubber, coffee, cocoa | Urgent spare parts by air, commodity exports by sea |
Airports, seaports and connections in Medan
- AirportKualanamu
KNO - SeaportBelawan
Kualanamu International Airport (KNO), in Deli Serdang east of Medan, is the main airport of North Sumatra and has international and domestic flights. For long-haul air freight, shipments often connect via Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK) in Jakarta or via regional hubs such as Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. Sea freight runs through Belawan, the main port of North Sumatra, while Kuala Tanjung on the Batu Bara coast is being developed as a deep-sea port for the region.
The Medan-Kualanamu-Tebing Tinggi toll road connects Medan with the airport and the plantation areas to the south-east, and the Belawan-Medan-Tanjung Morawa toll road links the port with the city. An airport rail link connects central Medan with Kualanamu. The Sei Mangkei special economic zone lies inland to the south-east. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Medan and North Sumatra.
Clearance through the Ziem network in Indonesia
In Indonesia, customs entries are filed by a partner team in the Ziem network. They work under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures; our operations desk prepares the shipment data and remains your contact for the whole shipment.
Customs clearance in Indonesia
Ziem network
Customs clearance in Indonesia is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
For air freight to and from Indonesia we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Indonesia need a business identification number (NIB) that also serves as the importer ID.
Avoiding delays at customs
Most customs delays come from inconsistent documents: different values on invoice and packing list, missing HS codes or unclear goods descriptions. We review the documents against each other before departure, so the declaration in Indonesia can be filed without queries.
Frequently asked questions
Can customs be cleared in Medan for goods arriving at Belawan or KNO?
Yes. A partner team in the Ziem network clears the goods with Bea Cukai at Belawan or Kualanamu, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures. After release, we deliver to your site.
What do palm oil exports from Medan need?
Palm oil exports are subject to export levies and duties, and buyers often require sustainability certificates. The exporter must meet the government's export regulations. We check the requirements and prepare the export file with our partner team.
Can you clear imports of machinery for plantations or mills?
Yes. Machinery is declared like other imports, and some investment projects benefit from duty facilities that need supporting documents. We review the case with you and our partner team prepares the declaration.