Bank Indonesia's Requirements for Exchanging Damaged Rupiah Notes

The public is reminded that torn, burnt, perforated, or partially missing Rupiah banknotes should not be discarded, as Bank Indonesia (BI) offers a replacement service. Damaged or defective Rupiah currency can be exchanged for its full nominal value, provided it meets the prevailing regulations.

According to BI’s official website, the conditions for exchanging damaged or defective currency at Bank Indonesia are as follows:

1. Damaged/defective currency refers to Rupiah whose size or physical condition has altered from its original state due to, among other things: burning, perforation, partial loss, tearing, or shrinkage.

2. Damaged/defective currency can be exchanged provided that the authenticity features of the Rupiah can still be identified or recognised. The replacement procedure for damaged/defective currency is:

For Paper Rupiah

Replacement of damaged/defective currency is provided at the same value as its nominal value if all the following requirements are met:

• The physical paper Rupiah is larger than 2/3 of its original size.

• The Rupiah’s authenticity features can be recognised.

• The damaged/defective paper Rupiah is still a single unit, with or without a complete serial number.

• The damaged/defective paper Rupiah is not a single unit, but both serial numbers on the damaged note are complete and identical.

If the physical paper Rupiah is equal to or less than 2/3 of its original size, no replacement will be given.

For Metallic Rupiah

Replacement of damaged/defective currency is provided at the same value as its nominal value if all the following requirements are met:

• The physical metallic Rupiah is larger than 1/2 of its original size.

• The Rupiah’s authenticity features can be recognised.

If the physical metallic Rupiah is equal to or less than 1/2 of its original size, no replacement will be given.

3. Replacement for currency partially damaged by fire:

• Partially burnt damaged/defective Rupiah will be replaced at the same nominal value, provided that, following examination by Bank Indonesia, its authenticity can still be recognised.

• Bank Indonesia may request members of the public exchanging partially burnt damaged/defective Rupiah to include a certificate from the local sub-district office or the Republic of Indonesia National Police station at its discretion.

4. Bank Indonesia will not provide replacement for damaged/defective Rupiah if, in its assessment, the damage is suspected to have been inflicted intentionally.

5. Bank Indonesia will not provide replacement for Rupiah that is lost or destroyed for any reason whatsoever.

6. Damaged currency eligible for replacement at nominal value: Paper currency with a physical size >2/3 of its original dimensions and with recognisable authenticity features.

7. Damaged currency eligible for replacement at nominal value: Damaged currency that is not a single unit but is separated into a maximum of two distinct pieces, where both serial numbers on the damaged currency are complete and identical, and the paper currency is >2/3 of its original size with recognisable authenticity features.

8. Damaged currency eligible for replacement at nominal value: Perforated metallic Rupiah; shrunk metallic Rupiah; partially missing metallic Rupiah.

9. Damaged currency not eligible for replacement: Paper currency with a physical size ≤2/3 of its original dimensions. Bank Indonesia will not provide replacement for damaged Rupiah if, in its assessment, the damage is suspected to have been inflicted intentionally.