Indonesia's Imports from China Surge as US Goods Pile Up

Jakarta — Indonesia’s total imports experienced rapid growth of 18.21 per cent in January 2026, rising from US$ 17.94 billion in January 2025 to US$ 21.20 billion. Chinese imports dominated the expansion with consistent value increases, whilst imports from the United States declined sharply.

According to data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the value of imports from China reached US$ 7.89 billion in January 2026, representing 43.75 per cent of total imports. This figure rose 24.39 per cent compared to January 2025, which recorded US$ 6.34 billion.

The principal goods imported from China were electrical machinery and equipment and components valued at US$ 1.84 billion, mechanical machinery and equipment and components at US$ 1.71 billion, and plastics and plastic goods at US$ 438.28 million.

“These are mainly dominated by imports of electrical machinery, equipment and components,” said Ateng Hartono, Deputy Head of Distribution Statistics and Services at BPS, during a press conference at BPS headquarters in Jakarta on Monday (2 March 2026).

Ranked second, the largest source of Indonesia’s imports was Australia, valued at US$ 1.07 billion, surging 125.92 per cent from January 2025, which recorded only US$ 472.6 million. Imports from the country comprised primarily base metals and jewellery or gemstones valued at US$ 507.59 million, cereals at US$ 157.75 million, and mineral fuels at US$ 77.92 million.

Third was Japan, which accounted for the highest import value in January 2026 at US$ 950 million, declining 17.89 per cent from January 2025’s figure of US$ 1.15 billion. These were mainly mechanical machinery and equipment and components at US$ 195.65 million, iron and steel at US$ 124.76 million, and vehicles and components at US$ 120.36 million.

“These three countries (China, Australia and Japan) account for 54.92 per cent of Indonesia’s total imports,” said Ateng.

Notably, the United States actually held the third-largest position amongst Indonesia’s import sources in January 2025. However, in January 2026, the value of imports from the country declined substantially, causing it to fall to fourth place.

Indonesia’s imports from the United States at the beginning of this year totalled US$ 703.8 million, down 22.48 per cent from January 2025’s figure of US$ 763.7 million.