Buying Guides
How to Register a Foreign Yacht in Indonesia (Flag, PT PMA, Permits)
Published by the Raja Ampat Yacht Broker Desk · Updated 19 August 2026
Registering a yacht under the Indonesian flag requires an Indonesian owning entity, most commonly a company. A foreign individual cannot simply register a vessel in their own name. The alternative is keeping the yacht foreign-flagged under the cruising permit regime, which limits what the vessel may do commercially.
Flag is a decision, not a formality
Your flag determines the survey and certification regime, the crewing rules, the tax and duty position, and whether the vessel can legally earn money carrying Indonesian guests. Choosing it after you have bought the boat is how buyers end up with an asset that cannot do the job it was purchased for.
The two practical routes
| Indonesian flag | Foreign flag on cruising permit | |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Indonesian legal entity, commonly a PT PMA | Foreign owner retains the vessel |
| Commercial use locally | Possible where the company and vessel are licensed for it | Restricted |
| Duty position | Import treatment applies | Temporary import regime |
| Ongoing obligations | Company reporting, certification, crewing rules | Permit renewals and cruising limitations |
The PT PMA route in outline
A foreign-invested Indonesian company is formed with a business activity that covers what the vessel will do. The company acquires the vessel, registers it, and holds the operating licences. Corporate obligations continue for as long as the structure does: reporting, capital requirements and compliance are ongoing costs that belong in the ownership budget.
Buying the company instead of the boat
Where a vessel is already owned by a licensed Indonesian company with its permits in place, buying the shares can preserve the permit chain and the trading history. It also means inheriting the company’s liabilities, so corporate diligence becomes as important as the survey. The structure is discussed in structuring the purchase of an existing operation.
What to confirm before you sign anything
- That the intended use is inside the licensed activity of the owning entity.
- That certificates required for that use are current, not merely obtainable.
- That the import and duty position of the hull is documented.
- That crewing requirements for the flag and use case are affordable.
Because requirements are administered by the authorities and change over time, verify the current process for your flag and itinerary rather than relying on what was true a few seasons ago. Wider context is in the foreign buyer’s guide, and the import mechanics in importing a yacht into Indonesia.
Next step: send the desk your brief — vessel type, cruising ground, budget band in USD and timing — via the enquiry desk.