The Indonesia Digital Arrival Card (e-CD): Everything You Need to Know

You land in Indonesia after a long flight. The phone is at 12%, the airport Wi-Fi is slow, and a queue is already forming at immigration. Then you realise you have not done the customs declaration. The Indonesia Digital Arrival Card, known as the e-CD or Electronic Customs Declaration, is meant to prevent exactly this. It is free, it takes a few minutes, and it gives you a QR code that customs officers scan when you arrive. This guide covers how it works in 2026, how to fill it in, and how it fits with your visa and the rest of the arrival process.

What the e-CD Is and Why It Exists

The e-CD is a mandatory digital form for international travellers entering Indonesia. It replaces the old paper customs declaration. You declare the goods you are bringing in, and the system gives you a QR code. Officers scan the code at the customs checkpoint instead of reading a handwritten card.

It is part of Indonesia’s wider push to digitalise border control. The aim is faster and more efficient customs clearance. It is not an immigration form and it is not a visa. It covers only what you carry, not whether you are allowed to enter.

As of 2026, there is no official standalone mobile app just for the e-CD. You complete it through the web portal. Some official immigration or airport apps link to it, but the portal is the main route.

Who Has to Complete It

Every international traveller must complete an e-CD, regardless of nationality, visa status, or port of entry. That includes airports and seaports. It also includes Indonesian citizens returning from abroad.

Each person needs their own submission. Children travelling on a parent’s passport are included. The system may let you link family members, but each individual still needs one e-CD. Check the portal’s current wording before you travel, because this is one of the details that could be updated.

Step-by-Step: Filling In the e-CD

The official portal is https://ecd.beacukai.go.id/. Check that you are on the official site before typing in any passport details. Completing the e-CD costs nothing. If a site asks for payment, leave it.

Aim to complete it 2–3 days before you arrive. You can also do it on arrival, using your own phone or a dedicated kiosk, but doing it early saves time.

1. Open the website in your browser and go to https://ecd.beacukai.go.id/.



2. Start a new declaration. Tap the “Start” or “Create New Declaration” button.
3. Enter your personal data exactly as it appears in your passport: full name, passport number, nationality, date of birth, gender, occupation, and email address. The occupation field is currently present, but it may become optional or be removed, so follow what the portal shows.
4. Add your arrival details: arrival date, airline or vessel name, flight number or vessel name, origin city or port, and destination airport or port, such as Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) or Ngurah Rai (DPS).
5. Enter your first-night address in Indonesia. A hotel, villa, or private address all work.
6. Declare accompanying family members if they travel on the same flight or vessel. Each person still needs an individual e-CD.
7. Answer the customs questions. This is the key step, covered in the next section.
8. Review and submit. Check every field against your passport, then tap “Submit.”
9. Save your QR code. Take a screenshot and, if you can, print a copy too. Officers scan this code on arrival.

The Customs Questions and Their Limits

The e-CD asks a series of Yes/No questions about what you carry. Answer honestly and accurately. Typical questions cover the following:

• Narcotics, firearms, or explosives: The answer is always No unless you carry them with official sanction.
• Animals, fish, or plant products: Answer Yes if you carry any.
• Currency or bearer negotiable instruments above IDR 100,000,000 (about USD 6,500): You must declare these if you carry them.
• Tobacco: More than 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 100 grams of sliced tobacco per adult goes beyond the limit.
• Alcohol: More than 1 litre per adult goes beyond the limit.
• New goods for personal use: Value above USD 500 per person goes beyond the limit.

Think about your bag before you tap each answer. A new laptop, a camera for a friend, and extra duty-free bottles can all push you over the line without you noticing. If you are unsure, declare it. A declared item is a conversation. An undeclared one found in an X-ray can become a much bigger problem.

Your Visa Options Alongside the e-CD

The e-CD does not replace your visa. You need both. Indonesia’s immigration rules are managed by the Directorate General of Immigration, and its official website is the place to confirm the latest nationality lists before you fly.

Visa-free entry (30 days)

Eligible nationalities can enter visa-free for tourism for a maximum of 30 days. The list typically includes ASEAN member states such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia, plus a few other select countries. This entry cannot be extended and cannot be converted to any other visa type. You need a passport valid for at least 6 months from your entry date and a confirmed return or onward ticket.

Visa on Arrival (VoA)

Citizens of many countries can get a VoA at designated entry points. The list is extensive. It includes Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and many others.

• Fee: IDR 500,000 per person. Fees are reviewed by the government, so check the current amount before you travel.
• Payment: Usually IDR cash or credit card. Major foreign currencies (USD, EUR, AUD) are sometimes accepted, but at an unfavourable exchange rate.
• Validity: 30 days.
• Extension: Once, for another 30 days, at an immigration office in Indonesia. The total stay can reach 60 days. The process needs multiple visits and typically costs another IDR 500,000.
• Where: VoA counters at major international airports (CGK, DPS, SUB, KNO) and seaports such as Batam and Bintan.

B211A visit visa

For stays longer than 60 days, many travellers use the B211A. It was once strictly “social/cultural,” but it is now broadly a visit visa that covers tourism, family visits, and other non-commercial activities. You apply before arrival, through an Indonesian embassy or consulate, or online through a sponsor or reputable visa agent. The online route is the e-Visa portal at https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/.

It is usually issued for 60 days. It can be extended up to four times, 30 days each, for a total stay of up to 180 days. Each extension typically costs IDR 500,000.

Other visa types

Business visas, student visas, retirement visas, and work permits (KITAS) exist for specific purposes. They need their own application process and usually sponsorship. None of them replaces the e-CD. You still complete it on every arrival.

Arrival Procedure at CGK and DPS

The order is the same at both Soekarno-Hatta (CGK) and Ngurah Rai (DPS): immigration, baggage claim, then customs.

1. Immigration. Follow the “Immigration” signs. Choose the right lane: Visa-Free, Visa on Arrival, or specific visa holders. If you need a VoA, go to the VoA counter before immigration. Pay the fee and get your sticker or stamp first. At the booth, show your passport, boarding pass, and any visa documents. Officers scan your passport and take your fingerprints and photo. They may ask your purpose of visit, length of stay, and accommodation. Your passport is then stamped with your entry date and allowed stay.
2. E-gates. CGK and DPS have automated gates for certain travellers, mostly Indonesian passport holders and some e-VoA holders. Eligibility may expand, so look for signs and ask staff.
3. Baggage claim. Find your carousel number on the screens. Trolleys are usually free or cost a small fee.
4. Customs. Have your e-CD QR code ready on your phone or on paper. Scan it at the customs gate. If you have nothing to declare within the limits, you can typically walk through the Green Lane. If you declared items or are randomly selected, your bags may go through X-ray or a physical inspection.

Arriving by Boat

The e-CD requirement and the immigration and customs process apply equally at seaports. Key entry points include Batam (Batam Centre, Harbour Bay, and Sekupang terminals) and Bintan (Bandar Bentan Telani and Sri Bintan Pura terminals), which serve routes from Singapore and Malaysia. Tanjung Priok in Jakarta also handles international vessel arrivals.

You go through immigration first, including VoA if you need it and a passport check. Then customs scans your e-CD QR code. Complete the form on the ferry only if you have a signal, since sea routes can have patchy coverage. Doing it before you leave is safer.

Getting Out of the Airport: 2026 Budget Reality

Once you clear customs, you need a way into town. These are the typical fares from the arrival halls.

Soekarno-Hatta (CGK), Jakarta

• Budget (Damri airport bus): IDR 50,000 to IDR 80,000, with routes across Jakarta and surrounding areas.
• Mid-range (KAI Bandara airport train): IDR 70,000 to IDR 100,000. It connects Terminals 1, 2, and 3 with Sudirman Baru (BNI City) and Manggarai stations, and it avoids traffic.
• Comfortable (Gojek or Grab, or official taxis): Ride-hailing to central Jakarta typically costs IDR 200,000 to IDR 350,000, depending on distance and traffic. Official airport taxis such as Blue Bird and Express are at designated stands. Make sure the meter is on.

Ngurah Rai (DPS), Bali

• Official airport taxis: Regulated, with fixed fares by destination zone. Use the counters outside the arrival hall.
• Gojek or Grab: Typically IDR 100,000 to IDR 250,000 to areas like Kuta, Seminyak, or Canggu. Pick-up points are sometimes a short walk from the main exit.
• Pre-booked private transfers: Offered by many hotels and tour operators.

What Has Changed Since 2024

• Digital customs is the norm. The e-CD fully replaced paper customs declarations. It continues to be refined, with improved website stability and possible integration with other government services.
• PeduliLindungi is largely gone for arrivals. The app, once used for COVID-19 health declarations and vaccine checks, has been largely phased out for international arrivals since mid-2023. It is unlikely to be mandatory for general entry in 2026, but keep an eye on official health advisories.
• B211A is more streamlined. It has moved away from a strict social/cultural reading and is widely used for tourism and longer visits. The online e-Visa portal makes it easier to apply through sponsors or agents.
• More e-gates. Expect wider availability and eligibility at major airports.
• e-VoA may expand. Online VoA applications already exist. Adoption is expected to become smoother, potentially for more nationalities. Confirm eligibility on official channels.
• Fees may rise. VoA and extension fees are reviewed periodically, and small increases are common.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Leaving the e-CD until the queue. You can fill it in on arrival, but a slow connection or a dead phone turns a 5-minute job into a delay.
• Not saving the QR code. Screenshot it. Print it too.
• Typing details that differ from your passport. Names and passport numbers should match exactly.
• Using an unofficial site. The e-CD is free. Use the official portal only.
• Forgetting one family member. Each person needs an individual e-CD.
• Passport with less than 6 months left. This is a strict requirement.
• No onward ticket. Officers may ask for a confirmed return or onward ticket, especially on visa-free or VoA entry.
• No proof of first-night accommodation. Keep your booking ready on your phone or on paper.
• Going to immigration before paying for VoA. The VoA counter comes first.
• Assuming visa-free can be extended. It cannot, and it cannot be converted to another visa type.



• Not declaring cash or goods near the limits. The thresholds are IDR 100,000,000 in currency, USD 500 in new goods per person, and the tobacco and alcohol limits listed above.

If you want data right away, SIM cards from Telkomsel, XL Axiata, or Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison can be bought on arrival at airports or in stores. In cities and tourist hubs, major credit cards are widely accepted, but carry some IDR cash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the e-CD free to complete?

Yes. The e-CD is a free government service, so there is no fee to complete or submit it. If a website asks you to pay, you are almost certainly not on the official portal. Use https://ecd.beacukai.go.id/ and check the address before entering any passport details.

Does every family member need their own e-CD?

Yes. Each individual needs their own e-CD submission, including children travelling on a parent’s passport. The system may let you link family members, but each person still receives a declaration. Check the portal’s current wording before you travel, as this detail could be updated.

Can I complete the e-CD at the airport?

Yes. You can complete it on arrival using your own phone or a dedicated kiosk. Doing it 2–3 days before you fly saves time, though, especially if the airport connection is slow. With your QR code ready, you simply scan it at customs and continue.

How much cash can I bring without declaring it?

You must declare currency or bearer negotiable instruments above IDR 100,000,000, roughly USD 6,500. If you carry more than that, answer Yes on the e-CD. Be honest about the amount, because customs officers can ask about it at the checkpoint.

Can I extend visa-free entry?

No. Visa-free entry lasts a maximum of 30 days, cannot be extended, and cannot be converted to another visa type. For a longer stay, use a Visa on Arrival, which can be extended once for 30 days, or apply for a B211A visit visa before you travel.

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📷 Featured image by Harinnita Maya Detta on Unsplash.