Information only. Not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies — consult a qualified attorney for your jurisdiction before acting.
What's Illegal inIndonesia?
What is legal in Indonesia does not always match what visitors assume. Of the 22 common items and activities tracked here, 14 are outright illegal and 6 are restricted or conditional. The strictest area for Indonesia is medications, which is the first place to check before you travel.
Death penalty for drugs. Even tramadol can get you executed. Zero tolerance.
DO NOT BRING
Any illegal drugs · Blasphemy
What to know before you go to Indonesia
The single thing worth knowing first: Death penalty for drugs. Even tramadol can get you executed. Zero tolerance. It is the kind of rule that looks minor at home and becomes a serious problem at the border or in public, which is exactly why it tops this page.
Within medications, Indonesia treats Tramadol, Codeine, and ADHD medications as off-limits. Carrying or doing any of these can mean confiscation, fines, or detention depending on the case — and a foreign prescription, habit, or "I didn't know" rarely helps once you are stopped. Each entry below links to the official source it is checked against, with the verified ones marked.
Two things travelers regularly get wrong about Indonesia: The new national criminal code (UU 1/2023) is in force since January 2026 — extramarital sex and cohabitation are now criminal, applicable to foreigners as well; and Cannabis remains a Class 1 narcotic with no medical exemption, regardless of legality in the traveler's home country. Assumptions like these are how otherwise careful visitors end up in trouble, so it is worth checking the specifics rather than guessing.
One important caveat: Aceh province enforces Sharia law, including caning for alcohol consumption and unmarried cohabitation, on top of national criminal law. Laws and their enforcement can shift between regions and over time, so treat this page as a sourced starting point and confirm anything borderline against the official links before you rely on it.
BEFORE YOU GO TO INDONESIA — 3 STEPS
Confirm the rule with an official Indonesia source
Laws change. Before you pack, verify anything borderline against Indonesian Customs — the official source we cite for Indonesia.
Open Indonesian Customs →Carry proof for anything restricted
If you're bringing prescription medication or a regulated device into Indonesia, carry the prescription, original packaging, and a doctor's note. For controlled medicines, check whether an import permit is required.
Have a backup if something gets held at the border
Know who to call and keep your travel insurance and embassy details handy in case an item is seized or questioned at customs in Indonesia.
General guidance, not legal advice. How we verify.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS
- The new national criminal code (UU 1/2023) is in force since January 2026 — extramarital sex and cohabitation are now criminal, applicable to foreigners as well.
- Cannabis remains a Class 1 narcotic with no medical exemption, regardless of legality in the traveler's home country.
JURISDICTION NOTES
- Aceh province enforces Sharia law, including caning for alcohol consumption and unmarried cohabitation, on top of national criminal law.
- Bali's local culture is more permissive than national law, but raids on villas and clubs apply the full national drug code.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
IN-DEPTH GUIDES
Information only. Not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies — consult a qualified attorney for your jurisdiction before acting.