New E-commerce Rules: Sellers Must Obtain NIB or Face Ban, Here's How to Get It

The government has tightened rules for online traders selling on marketplaces. Under the Minister of Trade Regulation No. 19 of 2026 concerning the Implementation of Trading Business Through Electronic Systems (PMSE), e-commerce platforms are now required to reject the registration of merchants who do not possess a Business Permit, at the very minimum a Business Identification Number (NIB). This provision is stipulated in Article 4, paragraph (4) of the regulation, which obliges Electronic System Trading Operators (PPMSE) providing a platform for merchants to refuse registration requests from online sellers who have not obtained the necessary business permits. Should this obligation not be fulfilled within the specified timeframe, Article 17, paragraph (5) requires the marketplace to restrict access rights by imposing a temporary or permanent suspension of trading transactions on the relevant seller’s account. A Business Identification Number (NIB) is an official identity number for business actors issued electronically through the Online Single Submission (OSS) system. It takes the form of a 13-digit unique code and remains valid for life as long as the business continues to operate. For Micro and Small Enterprises (UMK), the NIB is the primary and most basic requirement to run a business legally, including for registering and selling on electronic trading platforms. When registering for an NIB, applicants must enter a KBLI code, the Indonesian Standard Industrial Classification. The most common code for online retailers is 47911 for retail trade via the internet. The complete guide to creating an NIB involves logging into the OSS application, selecting the ‘Manage NIB’ menu, adding a business field, completing business activity data and selecting the appropriate KBLI, and undergoing a technical data and risk validation process.