- The Kominfo block that Indonesian PayPal users remember
- Rupiah withdrawals and the threshold PayPal sets
- Card withdrawals and failed transfers
- Converting dollars into rupiah
- What's not listed for Indonesia
- How long the money takes to land
- A sensible order of operations for a first withdrawal
- Ways to cope if the rules shift again
- Frequently asked questions
PayPal lists Indonesia for rupiah bank withdrawals with no fee above a threshold and a fixed fee below it, plus separate card and failed-transfer fees. In 2022 Indonesia's communications ministry blocked PayPal for not registering under a 2020 regulation, so keep records and a backup way to get paid.
PayPal in Indonesia has a story most other countries don't. It isn't only about fees. In 2022 the government blocked the service for a few days, and anyone who earns through PayPal remembers it. I'll cover that first, then the withdrawal rules PayPal publishes for Indonesia, so you know what's settled and what's worth watching.
The Kominfo block that Indonesian PayPal users remember
Indonesia's communications ministry, Kominfo, blocked PayPal because the company hadn't registered under Communication and Informatics Minister's Regulation No. 5 of 2020 on Private Electronic System Organizers. The Indonesian outlet Medcom reported that the ministry then opened the service temporarily until August 5, which gave users time to move their money.
In 2022 the ministry said PayPal had conveyed its commitment to register in the near future. At that point a total of 292 international and 8,897 domestic private system operators had registered on the ministry's website. I'm telling you this for one reason. It shows the rules around payment platforms in Indonesia can change quickly, so keeping a balance parked in PayPal for long periods carries a risk you can plan around.
Rupiah withdrawals and the threshold PayPal sets
PayPal's fee page lists Indonesia for withdrawals to a personal bank account with a threshold. If the withdrawal in rupiah is greater than 1,500,000 IDR there's no fee, when no currency conversion is involved. Below 1,500,000 IDR the fee is 16,000 rupiah per withdrawal.
In practice that rewards waiting. If you withdraw once you've built up a decent balance, the fee can drop away, as long as you're not also converting currency. Withdrawing every time a small payment lands is the expensive habit.
Card withdrawals and failed transfers
PayPal lists a fixed fee of 46,000 rupiah per card withdrawal for Indonesia. That's a lot more than the 16,000 rupiah bank fee under the threshold, so the card route only makes sense if you specifically need it. The fee page also lists a bank return fee of 50,000 rupiah for Indonesia, which applies when a withdrawal or transfer bounces back.
A bounced transfer usually means a mismatch between the name on PayPal and the name on the bank account, or an incorrect account number. Check both before you submit, because a failed attempt costs you the bank return fee and a delay.
Converting dollars into rupiah
Indonesia sits in PayPal's Asia Pacific group. Converting a balance, a transfer or a payment received into another currency is 3.0%. Conversions when sending payments or receiving refunds beyond one day are 4.0%. PayPal also says that if you withdraw in a currency other than your balance's currency, conversion fees apply on top of the withdrawal fee.
| What I checked | What PayPal lists for Indonesia |
|---|---|
| Bank withdrawal, above the threshold | No fee when no currency conversion is involved |
| Bank withdrawal, below the threshold | 16,000 rupiah per withdrawal |
| Card withdrawal | 46,000 rupiah fixed fee |
| Failed withdrawal bank return | 50,000 rupiah |
| Currency conversion | 3.0% on balances and payments received |
| US bank account withdrawal | 3.00% |
What's not listed for Indonesia
The country doesn't appear in PayPal's table of withdrawals through third party service providers, unlike several African and Middle Eastern markets. So that route isn't something to plan around from PayPal's published tables. PayPal also says personal transactions are limited in availability and may not be available in some markets, and its fee page gives no personal transaction limits for Indonesia.
How long the money takes to land
PayPal's general withdrawal page says a standard transfer to your bank usually completes within one business day, though depending on your bank's collection process it can take 3 to 5 business days. An instant transfer should show in your account within minutes, and if the money hasn't arrived after 30 minutes, PayPal says to contact your bank because its own team can't change the status of your transfer.
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Indonesia isn't in the list of countries where PayPal warns the local bank transfer can take up to 7 business days. That's a small but real point in its favour. Remember that all transfers are subject to review and can be delayed or stopped if PayPal finds a problem.
A sensible order of operations for a first withdrawal
- Link your bank account and check the name matches your PayPal profile exactly.
- Wait until your balance is comfortably above the fee-free threshold if you can.
- Check whether the withdrawal involves currency conversion, because that adds its own fee.
- Choose a standard transfer unless you really need speed, since instant options can differ by bank.
- Keep the confirmation and your invoice together for your records.
Ways to cope if the rules shift again
The 2022 episode taught a practical lesson. Keep records, keep a second way to be paid for clients who allow it, and don't let a large balance sit unused. If you're comparing how other countries handle the same problem, PayPal's withdrawal rules in the Philippines and the equivalent for India make a useful side-by-side.
Tax and banking rules are specific to you, so ask a local accountant and your own bank. I'm a digital marketing consultant, not an adviser on either.
Frequently asked questions
Is PayPal blocked in Indonesia?
Indonesia's communications ministry blocked PayPal in 2022 for not registering under Regulation No. 5 of 2020, then opened access temporarily until August 5 and said PayPal had committed to register.
What does PayPal charge for rupiah bank withdrawals in Indonesia?
PayPal lists no fee above 1,500,000 IDR when no currency conversion is involved, and 16,000 rupiah per withdrawal below that.
How much is the card withdrawal fee in Indonesia?
PayPal's fee page lists a fixed fee of 46,000 rupiah per card withdrawal.
What happens if a PayPal withdrawal to my Indonesian bank fails?
PayPal lists a bank return fee of 50,000 rupiah for Indonesia, so check the account name and number before you submit.
What conversion fee does PayPal list for Indonesia?
Indonesia is in the Asia Pacific group: 3.0% for converting balances or payments received, and 4.0% for conversions when sending payments or receiving refunds.
