Family moving to Canggu - Welcoming advice from the experts who have been there, done this...

Laralea

Great info on this forum - we were thinking of air shipping some of our household things from Hong Kong (moving to Bali on August 1st) but now thinking not worth the trouble with just a social visa or even not possible? Any changes to the older threads on importing personal items separately from the arrival day? (this thread was a couple of years old now) Heard that we shouldn't have duty issues at the airport with a large number of bags (probably 10-15 large duffels on our arrival with kids in tow). The issue is that we have some artwork and larger home items (not furniture) that we won't be able to pack into checked luggage and not sure where to send them! We are coming from Hong Kong but would have to send them back to the US if we don't import to Bali. Also, in getting the necessary home 'start-up' items (villa is in Canggu) - would you suggest a run to LotteMart or anywhere closer for good prices for general household/kitchen things, groceries and such? (first run will likely be fairly large to get food in the house and getting going) Best way to get a bulk shopping trip back to the villa? (Go-Jek and which mini-app - Go Send/Go Box?). Also, we have heard bank accounts with a sponsor is possible, any recommendations on the most 'friendly' bank options for this? Thanks all for help - appreciate any assistance with making the transition as smooth as possible. We welcome any general advice as well! -Lara

Mark

Laralea wroteHeard that we shouldn't have duty issues at the airport with a large number of bags (probably 10-15 large duffels on our arrival with kids in tow).

Wow, that's a lot of stuff. Where did you hear that you wouldn't have duty issues with that quantity of baggage?

Laralea

Mark wroteWow, that's a lot of stuff. Where did you hear that you wouldn't have duty issues with that quantity of baggage?

Six people (4 children) means that we would only have 2.5 bags each - not unreasonable amount, however, we are thinking that they may value at slightly more than the allowance per person (used clothes, Toys, small household items, etc) , therefore, we may claim some as we come through and pay the attributable taxes, just don't want to be taken advantage of and open a Pandora's box at the same time as we enter in.

davita

The allowance of US$1,000 for a family is for items which are intended to remain in Indonesia...if you are on a visitor visa it would be fair to say you will be returning all your stuff when you leave. In all my comings and goings to Indonesia I haven't had many issues with customs on arrival as long as you have an explanation. i.e. Don't bring anything new in its original box, wear your most expensive items, keep all medicines and vitamins or any pills etc in full view and have a prescription from the doctor for any narcotic medicines, including sleeping pills etc. I have a funny story of arriving with a brand new 3-in-one computer which I'd only used for a day or two. It was packed around clothing and bubble wrap. The customs lifted the items out and I started to get nervous......then he pulled out a giant jar of 'Vitamin for Seniors' I'd bought from the bulk store Costco. He opened it up and smelled inside...he quickly replaced the top and put my computer back and zipped-up my bag and gave me the sign to pass. I heard him tell his colleague "Bau!"

sayangku

- You'll all need return tickets, or the airline probably won't accept you on board (sosbud needs a return or onward flight) So, no import duty to pay as you are visitors, not residents - You'll need residence permit for a bank account. You may be able to get a friend to help open one without it - but if you are American passport holder it will be difficult/ unlikely/ impossible. FATCA applies, and Indonesian banks are not exempt from all the extra paper work that generates

Laralea

Hilarious! Thank you so much, it makes perfect sense that if we are on a social visa, obviously the items would be intended to leave Bali, therefore, the duty free value allowance would not necessarily apply. Great info.

Laralea

Thank you - all great points! [LIST] [*]We will def not count on being able to get the bank account in that case, and look to use cash to load the Go-Jek for the everyday needs. [*]Would we also need to pay in cash for the Internet and Utility bills and go personally, or anyway to use credit card and online options? [*]We will get a flight out to Singapore or somewhere prior to arriving to show the departing intention. [/LIST] Appreciate your time in responding! -Lara

mugwump

Laralea wroteThank you - all great points! [LIST] [*]We will def not count on being able to get the bank account in that case, and look to use cash to load the Go-Jek for the everyday needs. [*]Would we also need to pay in cash for the Internet and Utility bills and go personally, or anyway to use credit card and online options? [*]We will get a flight out to Singapore or somewhere prior to arriving to show the departing intention. [/LIST] Appreciate your time in responding! -Lara

If you are paying a foreign exchange fee on your credit card consider CITI bank as they don't charge the fee. Have been using another US bank for years and paying $90. per annum for free exchange, and now switched.

sayangku

Cash/ bank transfer is accepted. Not so sure about using foreign CC. For big payments (house rental, school fees) int'l bank transfer.

Laralea

Also, if you are American and have a US address of some sort, Charles Schwab offers no foreign fees. (a friend just turned me on to this option after I also was paying a large amount in fees to withdraw funds while living in Hong Kong!)

Laralea

sayangku wroteCash/ bank transfer is accepted. Not so sure about using foreign CC. For big payments (house rental, school fees) int'l bank transfer.

Can you do international bank transfer for Utilities (electricity) & Internet?

hermit

Laralea wrote Also, in getting the necessary home 'start-up' items (villa is in Canggu) - would you suggest a run to LotteMart or anywhere closer for good prices for general household/kitchen things, groceries and such? -Lara

You could go to the Carrefour on Sunset road,for household items and food,better choice than Lotte mart and closer to Canggu.Prices are,i think comparable.do not forget a big coolbox!Just buy what you need for a first week,later check out other spots. As you will be a lot dependent on ATM's: they give 25 or 30 bills a time,independent of if they dispense 50.000 or 100.000 bills.So,as you pay your bank a fee per each time you draw money,stick to the ATM's that give 30 bills of 100.000.Among those are Maybank and Permata bank. At Carrefour you can pay with a credit card. At Lottemart there was a restriction that you could only use a credit card for electronics,not sure if that is still the case. Happy hunting!

Mark

Personally, I wouldn't use an atm in Bali unless it was located inside a bank, as there are way too many cases of card skimming and neither the banks nor the police seem especially bothered by them. Sure, there is the occasional arrest but the skimming still goes on, and on, and on. My recommendation is to find a bank that will let you open an account without a Kitas, even if it is only in USD (in Ubud, Danamon bank allows this), and go see them every time you need cash. A sad state of affairs to be sure, but a hell of a lot less sad than losing your money to scammers.

mugwump

Laralea wroteCan you do international bank transfer for Utilities (electricity) & Internet?

Utilities are paid in cash, unless someone else has found an exception. Smart Fren is an internet provider that accepts credit cards, but you may find a better provider in Canggu.

sayangku

Laralea wroteCan you do international bank transfer for Utilities (electricity) & Internet?

You will need to check with your bank. Most int'l banks don't send IDR, they send USD/HKD/Euro whatever, and then the bank in IDO converts. Certainly HSBC (HK) doesn't remit in rupiah - I send USD to BCA (IDO) USD account, then switch to IDR. One possibility might be to set up account with an Indonesian bank (e.g. BCA/ Mandiri) in HK (due to all the maids, they have branches) - I would expect they can remit IDR

davita

I agree with Harryopal. Just yesterday I transferred/exchanged GBP 5,000 for my UK HSBC to my JKT HSBC using TransferWise and today I've been credited with IDR 94,443,240.

harryopal

If you succeed in opening an Indonesian bank account I would suggest you don't arrange a transfer from your bank to the Indonesian bank. Following advice from this forum I switched to using https://transferwise.com/ to move money from my bank account in Australia to the local BCA account. Previously I had been using my Westpac account to transfer funds. If I were transferring say $9000 Aus I found that Westpac were helping themselves to several hundred dollars a transaction with the appallingly bad exchange rate. Transfer wise has been prompt, easy to use, much better rates and they show you exactly how much rupiah you will receive. If you go to their website you can, without joining up, do a test transfer to see the rates. The transfer cost may be more than the bank transfer charge but it works out much much better with the exchange rates

harryopal

Mark

davita wroteI agree with Harryopal. Just yesterday I transferred/exchanged GBP 5,000 for my UK HSBC to my JKT HSBC and today I've been credited with IDR 94,443,240.

So the drinks are on you tonight ;)

davita

If you're there around 6 pm, and mention the magic word, its my shout....:)