Blocked IMEI Phones Can Use eSIM Without Customs Registration: Here’s How

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique identification number found on every mobile phone, whether it's an Android or iPhone. This number indicates that the device is legal and officially registered in the government system.

However, there are many cases where phones end up with blocked IMEIs. When this happens, the phone cannot access mobile networks, rendering it unusable for calls, texts, or data.

Let’s break down why this happens and how to work around it.

Why IMEI Gets Blocked

One of the most common reasons for a blocked IMEI is purchasing a phone from overseas that hasn't been registered with Indonesian Customs (Bea Cukai).

Since 2022, the Indonesian government has enforced a regulation where any phone not registered in the official IMEI database will be automatically blocked. These phones are categorized as illegal imports and placed on a national blacklist.

As a result, many phones brought from abroad that skip the IMEI registration process lose access to all mobile networks in Indonesia.

How to Solve a Blocked IMEI

The main solution is to register the phone’s IMEI through Indonesian Customs.

This can be done upon arrival at the airport in Indonesia, before exiting the terminal. Head to the Bea Cukai IMEI registration page at https://www.beacukai.go.id/register-imei.html and fill out the required information, such as:

  • Personal details (name, passport/NIK/NPWP)
  • Flight number
  • Phone details (IMEI number, brand, memory capacity, purchase price)

After submitting the form, you'll receive a barcode which needs to be scanned by Customs officials at the airport. Bring your passport, boarding pass, purchase invoice (if available), and the barcode for processing. This step must be done within 5 days of arrival in Indonesia.

Alternatively, you can register IMEI during the Electronic Customs Declaration (ECD) process. If the phone is worth more than $500, additional taxes may apply.

But if you prefer not to register the IMEI with Customs and are looking for a more practical workaround, you can opt for the latest innovation: eSIM.

Bypassing Blocked IMEI with eSIM

eSIM (Embedded SIM) is a digital SIM that doesn’t require a physical card. Unlike traditional SIM cards, eSIM can be activated by simply scanning a barcode.

While eSIMs are commonly used by travelers abroad for convenience, they’re also an effective solution for phones with blocked IMEIs—particularly eSIMs from Global Komunika.

Global Komunika offers not only international travel eSIMs but also local eSIMs for daily use in Indonesia. Here’s why it works:

Global Komunika’s eSIMs are data-only and don’t come with a phone number, so they don’t require any IMEI registration. This makes them perfect for staying connected to the internet on a phone with a blocked IMEI.

Just purchase an eSIM from Global Komunika, scan the barcode, and you’re instantly connected for internet use. However, you must be aware that these eSIMs only support internet access. They do not support SMS or voice calls since there is no phone number included.

So, what are you waiting for?

Get your Global Komunika eSIM now and regain internet access on your blocked-IMEI phone — quick, easy, and registration-free!