How to Order Furniture from Indonesia – Step by Step for Importers

Step 1 – Define Your Project and Requirements

Before you contact any furniture factory or supplier in Indonesia, you need a clear idea of what you want.
This will save a lot of time and help suppliers prepare accurate quotations.

Clarify the type of project

• Retail / online shop
• Wholesale / distributor
• Hotel, villa, resort or apartment project
• Restaurant, café or bar project
• Interior design or contract furniture project

Decide on the main products you need

• Indoor furniture – bedroom sets, dining sets, living room furniture, cabinets, TV units, sideboards
• Outdoor furniture – teak garden furniture, patio sets, benches, sun loungers, daybeds
• Rattan / synthetic rattan furniture – sofas, lounge sets, dining chairs and tables

Define style, target market and budget

• Style: minimalist, modern, Scandinavian, rustic, industrial, classic carved, etc.
• Target market: country, price level (budget / mid / premium / luxury)
• Estimated order value and quantity
• Rough idea of one 20ft or 40ft container, or LCL trial shipment

The clearer your brief, the easier it is for Indonesian furniture suppliers to give you good solutions.

Step 2 – Find and Shortlist Indonesian Furniture Suppliers

There are many ways to find furniture suppliers in Indonesia. You do not need to choose the first one you see.
It is better to shortlist several and compare.

Where to look for suppliers

• Search engines (Google, Bing): “Indonesia furniture manufacturer”, “Jepara furniture factory”, “Indonesian teak garden furniture”, etc.
• Online B2B directories and trade portals
• Furniture trade shows and exhibitions (offline or virtual)
• Recommendations from other buyers, sourcing agents or consultants

Main furniture production areas in Indonesia

• Jepara – famous for teak and carved wooden furniture
• Solo & Yogyakarta – classic and modern wooden furniture
• Cirebon – rattan and synthetic rattan furniture
• Bali – hotel and villa style furniture and decor

A good first step is to shortlist around 3–5 suppliers that:

• Have a real website with original product photos
• Show clear contact information and company address
• Can demonstrate experience in export or contract projects

Step 3 – Check Company Credibility and Product Quality

Before you send any money, you must check that the supplier is real and reliable.

Basic company background

• Legal company name and full address
• Phone number, email and website
• Years in business and export experience
• Whether they are a factory, a trading company, or both

Website and catalog

• Original product photos, not just images copied from other brands
• Clear description of materials, dimensions and finishing
• Examples of past projects or clients if available

Wood legality and certifications

• Ask about wood legality systems and any relevant certifications
• For some countries, legal wood documents are important for customs

References and reviews

• Ask for references from previous buyers in other countries (if possible)
• Check any publicly available reviews or company profiles

For large orders, consider using a local agent or third-party inspection company to visit the factory and verify their operations.

Step 4 – Request Catalog, Quotation and Samples

Once you are confident the supplier is serious and legitimate, move into product and pricing discussions.

Send a clear inquiry

Include at least the following information:

• List of products and models you are interested in (from their catalog or your own design)
• Estimated quantity per item
• Target market (country and type of customers)
• Preferred shipping method: 20ft or 40ft container, or LCL trial shipment
• Destination port (port of discharge)

Ask for a detailed quotation

The quotation should clearly mention:

• Unit price per item (usually FOB Indonesian port for furniture)
• Minimum order quantity (MOQ) per item
• Estimated volume (CBM) per item for container loading
• Estimated production lead time (for example, 45–60 days after deposit)

Request samples when needed

For serious long-term business, it is strongly recommended to order samples:

• 1–3 sample products to check wood quality, finishing and construction
• Sample costs are usually paid up front and sometimes can be credited to the next big order
• Samples can be sent by air freight or LCL depending on size and weight

Step 5 – Confirm Specifications in Detail

Many problems in furniture orders come from unclear specifications. Everything important should be written and confirmed before production starts.

1. Materials

• Type of wood: teak, mahogany, mindi, acacia, etc.
• Solid wood or veneer/plywood construction
• Target moisture content (often 10–12% for indoor furniture)

2. Finishing

• Color: natural, light teak, walnut, dark brown, black, white wash and others
• Gloss level: matte, semi-matte or glossy
• Finishing system: PU, water-based, oil finish or other type

3. Upholstery (if applicable)

• Fabric type (indoor or outdoor fabric)
• Color and pattern
• Foam density and thickness

4. Dimensions and design details

• Final size (Width x Depth x Height)
• Construction details: leg shapes, joints, handles, edge profiles, etc.
• For custom designs, use technical drawings or 3D files approved by both sides

5. Packaging

• Packing method: single-face, double-corrugated carton, KD (knock-down) or fully assembled
• Protection materials: foam, bubble wrap, corner protectors, plastic wrap
• Labels, barcodes or special branding if required

All these details should be clearly written in the Proforma Invoice (PI) or an attached specification sheet that both parties agree on.

Step 6 – Agree on Price, Payment Terms and Incoterms

The next step is to finalize commercial terms. This is important to avoid misunderstandings later.

Price and currency

• Most Indonesian furniture exports use USD as the main currency.
• Make sure you know whether prices are based on FOB, CFR or CIF.

Common Incoterms for furniture

• FOB (Free On Board) – Supplier covers all costs until the goods are loaded on the ship at the Indonesian port.
• CFR (Cost and Freight) – Supplier also arranges and pays for sea freight to your destination port.
• CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) – Supplier arranges sea freight and cargo insurance.

Typical payment terms

• T/T (Telegraphic Transfer) – Very common for furniture:
  • 30% deposit before production
  • 70% balance before shipment or against copy of shipping documents
• L/C (Letter of Credit) – Usually for larger orders:
  • Safer for both sides but more complex and includes bank charges

Choose a payment method that balances security for you as the buyer and practicality for the supplier.

Step 7 – Place Purchase Order and Set Production Schedule

After all terms are clear, you are ready to place an order.

Typical ordering process

1. Issue a Purchase Order (PO) that lists item codes, quantities, prices, and agreed Incoterms.
2. Supplier issues a Proforma Invoice (PI) based on your PO.
3. You send the deposit according to the agreed payment terms.
4. Supplier confirms production lead time and tentative loading date.

During production, keep regular communication with the supplier. Ask for progress updates and production photos, especially for custom designs or large projects.

Step 8 – Quality Control and Pre-Shipment Inspection

Quality control is critical when ordering furniture from overseas. It is much easier to solve problems before the goods are shipped.

Recommended quality control steps

• Pre-production sample – One sample is made and approved as a reference for finishing and construction.
• In-line inspection – Inspection during production (optional but useful for larger orders).
• Final inspection – When goods are fully finished and packed but before loading into the container.

Final inspection can be done by:

• The supplier’s internal QC team
• Your own team (you visit) or your local agent
• An independent third-party inspection company

What to check during inspection

• Dimensions match the specification and drawings
• Finishing is even, without major defects, color differences or rough surfaces
• Construction is strong and stable (no wobbling or weak joints)
• Packaging is safe and suitable for sea freight

Any quality issues should be solved before the container is loaded.

Step 9 – Packing, Container Loading and Shipping

Packing

• Each product is wrapped with foam or bubble wrap
• Additional protection such as corner protectors and cardboard
• Products placed into master cartons when required
• Labels with item codes, quantity, “Made in Indonesia” and handling marks

Container loading

• Loading plan is prepared to maximize CBM and protect fragile items
• Photos or videos are usually taken during loading as documentation

Shipping arrangements

• If the term is FOB, you or your freight forwarder arrange the vessel booking.
• If the term is CFR or CIF, the supplier arranges the sea freight.
• Cargo insurance is strongly recommended, especially for long-distance sea freight.

Step 10 – Export Documents You Will Receive

For furniture exports from Indonesia, you will usually receive the following documents:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Bill of Lading (B/L) or Sea Waybill
• Certificate of Origin (COO) – if required by your country
• Fumigation Certificate – for wooden pallets or packaging if required
• Wood legality / compliance documents – depending on destination regulations
• Insurance Policy – if cargo is insured (CIF or separate insurance)

These documents are needed for customs clearance and import procedures in your country.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering from Indonesia

• Placing a large order without ever checking samples
• Using vague specifications for materials, finishing and packaging
• Not defining packing and labeling clearly
• Not understanding the difference between FOB, CFR and CIF
• Ignoring wood legality or certification requirements for your market
• Expecting unrealistic lead times for production and shipping

FAQ – Ordering Furniture from Indonesia

1. What is the typical minimum order quantity (MOQ)?

Many factories prefer a minimum of one 20ft container for furniture orders, but some accept LCL for trial orders.
MOQ per item is usually between 5–20 pieces depending on the design.

2. How long does production usually take?

Typical production lead time is around 45–60 days after deposit, depending on the number of items, level of difficulty and factory workload.

3. Can I order custom designs?

Yes. Most Indonesian furniture factories can produce custom or OEM designs as long as the quantity is reasonable and the design is clearly defined with drawings or references.

4. Can Indonesian suppliers ship to my country?

Indonesian furniture exporters usually ship worldwide, including Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.
Make sure your supplier understands the regulations and standards for your specific country.

5. Do I need to visit Indonesia to place an order?

It is not mandatory, but visiting can be very helpful for larger projects. As an alternative, you can use a local agent or third-party inspection company
to check factories and control quality on your behalf.

Conclusion

Ordering furniture from Indonesia can be a very profitable and long-term business opportunity if you follow a clear process.
By defining your requirements, choosing reliable suppliers, confirming detailed specifications, and managing quality control and documentation,
you can reduce risk and build strong partnerships with Indonesian factories.

Use this step-by-step guide as a checklist for your next order so you can source Indonesian furniture with confidence and professionalism.