Indonesian Migrant Worker Shocked: Registering IMEI via Peduli WNI Still Costs Rp2.1 Million!

Jakarta Indonesia, NETTI npo.Com

 A frustrating experience was shared by Rizall Kim (@rizall_kim) when registering the IMEI of his two phones after returning to Indonesia. Despite reporting his data through the Peduli WNI app, he was still charged Rp2.1 million for the process.

In a viral TikTok video watched thousands of times, Rizall laid out the full chronology. “I already input my data in Peduli WNI, but when I registered the IMEI, the tax exemption only covered up to a certain limit. The rest was still subject to normal tax,” he said while showing the payment receipt.

The verification process wasn’t hassle-free either. Rizall had to prepare complete documents including his ID card, passport, and proof of status as an Indonesian Migrant Worker (PMI). “Your active PMI status gets checked too. If it doesn’t match, it can fail,” he added.

The video immediately triggered a wave of responses from netizens, especially fellow PMIs who recently returned from abroad. “Same exact experience at the airport, around Rp1.5 million gone just like that!” wrote one commenter. Others pointed out, “The government promised facilitation, so why is it still complicated and expensive?”

The Ministry of Communication and Informatics previously stated that IMEI import duty exemption applies to goods brought home by returning PMIs up to a certain value — Rp13.5 million per item — under PMK No. 199/PMK.010/2019. However, any excess is still subject to 11% VAT and 7.5% income tax. Rizall’s case shows this regulatory gap is still confusing for repatriating citizens.

As of now, there has been no official confirmation from Customs or the Ministry of Manpower regarding similar complaints. Is this a signal that policy revisions are needed to protect PMIs?

_(Source: TikTok video @rizall_kim, accessed April 24, 2026)_