Follow These IMEI Rules If You Still Want To Buy Cell Phones From Abroad

Ilustrasi smartphone (Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The government has imposed IMEI Control rules, for illegal cell phones or Black Market (BM), as of April 18 yesterday. Even so, tech enthusiasts don't need to worry if they buy new devices launched overseas at any time.

In order for it to be used in Indonesia, there are several provisions that need to be followed when receiving or bringing devices from abroad. At least when they arrive in Indonesia, people must activate their device using a SIM card from a telecommunications operator in Indonesia.

"A new cellphone purchased from abroad, when arriving at the airport, must register with customs to activate it," said Deni Surjantoro, Head of the Communications and Publication Sub-Directorate General of Customs and Excise, when contacted by VOI, Monday, April 20.

Deni explained, how to register IMEI on a cellphone is very easy, buyers only need to download Mobile Customs on the Play Store and website. Select the IMEI menu, after registering, you will get a QR Code and you can immediately report at the airport. In the process, the buyer will be further checked regarding the IMEI of the cellphone they are carrying.

"After that, (cell phones) will be seen whether it fulfills the customs obligations of the goods it carries," added Deni.

In addition, the equipment purchased from abroad will be taxed. With details, if the device purchased is under 500 US dollars, the cellphone will be free from state taxes, if it is above this nominal, the cellphone buyer is required to pay 10 percent VAT and 7.5 percent PPh.

"All payments go to the country. At the airport, an EDC machine is provided, so we just need to swipe. There has always been an EDC there," said Deni.

However, if a passenger buys two cellphones, a permit from the relevant institution must be included, such as the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag). However, if the cellphone buyer has met government regulations, the IMEI on the cellphone is automatically registered in the database of the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin).

Furthermore, if foreign tourists who bring cellphones into Indonesia are not required to register as long as they are still using the SIM Card from their country, if they are already using the SIM Card of a local or Indonesian telecommunication operator, then a 90 day deadline is given to register the IMEI on their cellphone at the operator outlet used.

Previously reported, to block BM cell phones will use a Whitelist scheme supported by Equipment Identity Register (EIR) technology which is equipped with data in the form of MSISDN (mobile subscriber integrated services digital network number), IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) and user identities stored by mobile operator.

"The whitelist system is in effect and the EIR in each cellular operator can be activated, and Central EIR in Industry can also be used on April 18, 2020," said the Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Johnny G Plate some time ago.

Later with this scheme, cellphones that are not registered with the IMEI in the EIR system database will be deactivated from the start of the purchase. The method applied is only illegal equipment and not BM that get signals from telecommunication operators.