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The twenty imports Indonesia is best placed to replace.

Indonesia imported USD 168bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 178bn. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 18bnthe twenty, imported in 2024
654products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
886products Indonesia already exports well
1862product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Indonesia already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Indonesia would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Indonesia does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Sugars: cane sugar, raw, in solid form, other than as specified in Subheading Note 2 to this chapter, not containing...HS 170114

    Comes fromBrazil 62%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthSugars: molasses, from sugar cane, resulting from the extraction or... (exports USD 120m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 547k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 109m
    Countries that export it well23

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 2.7bn, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 6 per cent (3); Brazil supplies 62 per cent (2).

    USD 2.7bnup 2% on 2022
  2. 2

    Natural calcium phosphates, natural aluminium calcium phosphates and phosphatic chalk: groundHS 251020

    Comes fromJordan 64%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCement clinkers (whether or not coloured) (exports USD 357m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 37k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 11m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 8 of 8: import bill USD 223m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); Jordan supplies 64 per cent (2).

    USD 223mdown 21% on 2022
  3. 3

    Reception and transmission apparatus: for use with the apparatus of heading no. 8524 to 8528, excluding aerials and...HS 852990

    Comes fromChina 68%, 64 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical machines and apparatus: having individual functions, not... (exports USD 2.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 225m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 54m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 866m, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 20 per cent (2); China supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 866mdown 27% on 2022
  4. 4

    Units of automatic data processing machines: storage unitsHS 847170

    Comes fromSingapore 70%, 62 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPrinting, copying, and facsimile machines: machines which perform... (exports USD 905m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 6m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 2.9bn
    Countries that export it well13

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 658m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); Singapore supplies 70 per cent (2).

    USD 658mup 251% on 2022
  5. 5

    Buildings: prefabricated, not of woodHS 940690

    Comes fromChina 85%, 30 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFurniture: wooden, other than for office, kitchen or bedroom use (exports USD 770m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 27m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 12m
    Countries that export it well38

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 618m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 21 per cent (2); China supplies 85 per cent (2).

    USD 618mup 91% on 2022
  6. 6

    Cyclic hydrocarbons: p-xyleneHS 290243

    Comes fromSingapore 79%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthAlcohols: polyhydric, glycerol (exports USD 588m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 46m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 188m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 577m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 18 per cent (2); Singapore supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 577mup 22% on 2022
  7. 7

    Machinery: parts and accessories (other than covers, carrying cases and the like) of the machines of heading no. 8471HS 847330

    Comes fromChina 78%, 68 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPrinting, copying, and facsimile machines: machines which perform... (exports USD 905m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 147m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 93m
    Countries that export it well9

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 455m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); China supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 455mdown 4% on 2022
  8. 8

    Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higherHS 390761

    Comes fromChina 94%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVinyl chloride, other halogenated olefin polymers: poly(vinyl... (exports USD 353m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 115m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 748m
    Countries that export it well21

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 268m, top 6 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2); China supplies 94 per cent (2).

    USD 268mup 50% on 2022
  9. 9

    Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, plated or coated with aluminium zinc-alloysHS 721061

    Comes fromChina 75%, 7 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerro-alloys: ferro-nickel (exports USD 14bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 11m; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 765m
    Countries that export it well15

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 219m, top 8 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); China supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 219mup 47% on 2022
  10. 10

    Hat-racks, hat-pegs, brackets and similar fixtures, of base metalHS 830250

    Comes fromMalaysia 71%, 53 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 3m; 7 more lines in the heading, USD 274m
    Countries that export it well9

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 82m, top 24 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Malaysia supplies 71 per cent (2).

    USD 82mup 250% on 2022
  11. 11

    Communication apparatus: parts, other than aerials and aerial reflectors of all kindsHS 851779

    Comes fromChina 72%, 64 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical machines and apparatus: having individual functions, not... (exports USD 2.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 126m; 4 more lines in the heading, USD 3.5bn
    Countries that export it well8

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 2.7bn, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); China supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 2.7bnup 16% on 2022
  12. 12

    Oil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of...HS 230400

    Comes fromBrazil 73%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthOil-cake and other solid residues: whether or not ground or in the... (exports USD 940m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 274k
    Countries that export it well18

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 2.3bn, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 35 per cent (1); Brazil supplies 73 per cent (2).

    USD 2.3bndown 24% on 2022
  13. 13

    Cocoa beans: whole or broken, raw or roastedHS 180100

    Comes fromEcuador 32%, 50 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCocoa: butter, fat and oil (exports USD 1.5bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 103m
    Countries that export it well25

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.2bn, top 0 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3).

    USD 1.2bnup 122% on 2022
  14. 14

    Ferro-alloys: ferro-chromium, containing by weight more than 4% of carbonHS 720241

    Comes fromSouth Africa 67%, 9 source countries
    Nearest export strengthFerro-alloys: ferro-nickel (exports USD 14bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 297k; 6 more lines in the heading, USD 573m
    Countries that export it well12

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.1bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 29 per cent (1); South Africa supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 1.1bndown 50% on 2022
  15. 15

    Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.c. in heading 7308HS 730890

    Comes fromChina 92%, 58 source countries
    Nearest export strengthIron or steel (excluding cast iron): line pipe of a kind used for... (exports USD 601m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 388m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 157m
    Countries that export it well33

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 1.1bn, top 1 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 25 per cent (1); China supplies 92 per cent (2).

    USD 1.1bnup 147% on 2022
  16. 16

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Comes fromChina 68%, 72 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical machines and apparatus: having individual functions, not... (exports USD 2.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 254m; 3 more lines in the heading, USD 308m
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 615m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); China supplies 68 per cent (2).

    USD 615mup 20% on 2022
  17. 17

    Vessels: n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons...HS 890190

    Comes fromChina 65%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthVessels: other, including lifeboats other than rowing boats, other... (exports USD 500m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 208m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 506m
    Countries that export it well19

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 611m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); China supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 611mup 52% on 2022
  18. 18

    Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on construction, mining or industrial handling vehicles and machinesHS 401180

    Comes fromJapan 65%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthRubber: technically specified natural rubber (TSNR), in primary... (exports USD 3.0bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 33m; 2 more lines in the heading, USD 453m
    Countries that export it well17

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 593m, top 2 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 36 per cent (1); Japan supplies 65 per cent (2).

    USD 593mup 37% on 2022
  19. 19

    Circuits: printedHS 853400

    Comes fromChina 47%, 66 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical machines and apparatus: having individual functions, not... (exports USD 2.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 52m
    Countries that export it well11

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 485m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 14 per cent (2); China supplies 47 per cent (1).

    USD 485mdown 2% on 2022
  20. 20

    Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than...HS 853720

    Comes fromChina 80%, 49 source countries
    Nearest export strengthElectrical machines and apparatus: having individual functions, not... (exports USD 2.2bn)
    Exports of this lineUSD 97m; 1 more line in the heading, USD 810m
    Countries that export it well20

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 370m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Indonesia's export strengths in the top 39 per cent (1); China supplies 80 per cent (2).

    USD 370mup 86% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Indonesia already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving... imports USD 1.2bn, exports USD 478m, top source China 75%
  • Tobacco: partly or wholly stemmed or stripped imports USD 775m, exports USD 151m, top source China 21%
  • Machines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc mineral... imports USD 430m, exports USD 129m, top source China 51%
  • Iron or non-alloy steel: semi-finished products of iron or non-alloy steel... imports USD 431m, exports USD 180m, top source Oman 48%
  • Base stations imports USD 223m, exports USD 47m, top source China 97%
  • Yarn, synthetic: filament, monofilament (less than 67 decitex), of polyesters... imports USD 142m, exports USD 16m, top source China 95%
  • Iron or non-alloy steel: (not in coils), flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or... imports USD 181m, exports USD 68m, top source Japan 52%
  • Wood: for fuel, in chips or particles, non-coniferous, whether or not... imports USD 269m, exports USD 158m, top source Vietnam 95%
  • Iron or steel (excluding cast iron or stainless steel): seamless, line pipe of... imports USD 188m, exports USD 84m, top source China 62%
  • Iron or steel (excluding cast iron or stainless steel): seamless, casing and... imports USD 232m, exports USD 137m, top source China 57%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 1862 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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