Buying Dollars Above US$10,000 Still Permitted, BI Reveals Conditions

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Bank Indonesia (BI) has stated that members of the public wishing to transact in US dollars are still permitted to do so above the threshold of US$10,000. However, conditions must be met for transactions using US dollars exceeding US$10,000.

BI Senior Deputy Governor Destry Damayanti said that BI does not actually restrict the public from transacting in US dollars. However, for rupiah stability, a requirement must be fulfilled, namely possessing transaction documents that underpin the need for foreign currency (underlying documents) for US dollar transactions.

“Transactions in US dollars above US$10,000 are allowed, but there must be clear underlying documents. So we are not restricting, not prohibiting people from transacting in dollars, rupiah to dollars, but we only want to regulate and reorganise the governance,” Destry said during CNBC Indonesia’s Economic Update 2026, quoted on Wednesday (24/6/2026).

Destry gave the example of a person wanting to pursue education abroad, requiring more than US$10,000. This is permitted as long as they have underlying documents, such as an acceptance letter.

“For instance, if you want to study abroad, it’s certainly impossible to only need US$10,000; you will definitely need more. As long as the documents are clear, for example, an acceptance letter from abroad stating the required costs, then that is allowed because it becomes the underlying. So we are not restricting, but rather asking people to buy or exchange according to their needs,” she explained.

The policy adjusting the threshold for cash foreign exchange purchase transactions, including US dollars against the rupiah, will take effect from 1 July 2026. This policy was formulated by observing exchange rate movements and foreign exchange transaction patterns in the domestic market, to maintain rupiah exchange rate stability and ensure the domestic foreign exchange market dynamics continue to operate healthily and efficiently.

This is the third time in one year that BI has lowered the underlying threshold for US dollar purchases. In March, BI lowered the limit from US$100,000 to US$50,000. Then, in June, BI again decided to lower the threshold from US$25,000 to US$15,000.