Port of Surabaya
The Port of Surabaya, also known as Tanjung Perak Port, is a major Indonesian seaport located in Surabaya, East Java. It serves Surabaya, East Java, eastern Java, Madura, eastern Indonesia, industrial zones, manufacturing areas, food producers, agricultural exporters, importers, exporters, and international trade lanes connected to Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Oceania, and global container networks. The port’s UN/LOCODE is IDSUB.
Surabaya handles containers, general cargo, breakbulk cargo, refrigerated cargo, food products, agricultural cargo, machinery, vehicles, chemicals, paper products, consumer goods, textiles, industrial inputs, project cargo, and commercial freight. It is especially important for businesses connected to East Java’s manufacturing base, regional distribution networks, inter-island trade, export industries, and eastern Indonesia supply chains.
The port is operated under Pelindo and includes container, multipurpose, general cargo, passenger, ferry, and supporting logistics facilities. Container operations are supported by Terminal Petikemas Surabaya and other port facilities connected to Tanjung Perak and nearby terminal areas.
Port of Surabaya Overview
| Port Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Port name | Port of Surabaya / Tanjung Perak Port |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Region | Surabaya / East Java / Java Sea / Madura Strait |
| UN/LOCODE | IDSUB |
| Port type | Seaport / container port / multipurpose port / inter-island port |
| Port operator | Pelindo / Tanjung Perak Port operators |
| Main terminal areas | Terminal Petikemas Surabaya, Jamrud, Nilam, Mirah, Kalimas, passenger and ferry facilities, supporting logistics areas |
| Main cargo focus | Containers, general cargo, food products, machinery, vehicles, consumer goods, industrial cargo, inter-island cargo |
| Main terminal types | Container terminal, multipurpose terminal, general cargo berths, breakbulk areas, passenger terminal, ferry terminal, reefer facilities |
| Cargo types | Containers, machinery, vehicles, food products, agricultural cargo, refrigerated cargo, chemicals, paper products, consumer goods, project cargo |
| Suitable for | Importers, exporters, freight forwarders, manufacturers, retailers, food companies, agricultural exporters, industrial shippers, project cargo shippers |
Why Ship Through the Port of Surabaya?
Surabaya is one of Indonesia’s most important maritime gateways and a key logistics hub for East Java and eastern Indonesia. Its location near industrial zones, manufacturing areas, agricultural production regions, and inter-island shipping routes makes it a practical port choice for both international and domestic cargo flows.
For importers, Surabaya provides access to East Java, Surabaya’s industrial and commercial areas, warehouses, retail distribution centers, food processors, manufacturing facilities, construction projects, and inland transport corridors. For exporters, the port supports cargo moving from East Java and surrounding regions to Southeast Asia, East Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Oceania, and other international markets.
The port is especially relevant for businesses shipping containers, machinery, vehicles, food products, agricultural cargo, textiles, chemicals, consumer goods, paper products, refrigerated products, industrial inputs, breakbulk cargo, and project cargo.
Container Shipping Through Surabaya
The Port of Surabaya supports containerized import, export, domestic, inter-island, and regional cargo flows. Terminal Petikemas Surabaya is one of the main container terminal facilities serving Tanjung Perak and supports container operations for East Java’s commercial, industrial, and distribution markets.
Businesses use Surabaya for:
- Import containers into Indonesia
- Export containers from Indonesia
- Full container load shipments
- Less than container load shipments
- Domestic and inter-island container movements
- Regional distribution cargo for East Java and eastern Indonesia
- Industrial cargo movements
- Food products, agricultural products, beverages, and refrigerated goods
- Machinery, spare parts, vehicles, chemicals, and construction materials
- Reefer containers for frozen goods, chilled goods, seafood, meat, fruit, food products, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-sensitive cargo
- Cargo moving to or from Surabaya, East Java, Gresik, Sidoarjo, Mojokerto, Pasuruan, Malang, Madura, Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, and other Indonesian logistics zones
- Shipments connected to Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Oceania, and wider global container trade lanes
- Cargo connecting through regional hubs such as Jakarta, Tanjung Priok, Semarang, Makassar, Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Laem Chabang, Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Mep, Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Kaohsiung, Colombo, Jebel Ali, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Los Angeles, and Long Beach
For larger shipments, FCL shipping is usually suitable when cargo can fill a 20ft or 40ft container. For smaller shipments, LCL shipping allows businesses to move partial container loads without paying for a full container.
Surabaya Freight Rates
Freight Shipping Cost from & to Surabaya for a 20-foot Container
Port Capacity and Terminal Infrastructure
The Port of Surabaya has container, general cargo, breakbulk, passenger, ferry, reefer, customs, gate, yard, warehousing, and inland logistics infrastructure serving East Java and eastern Indonesia. Tanjung Perak is Indonesia’s major eastern gateway and is connected to industrial and commercial corridors across Surabaya and East Java.
The port’s infrastructure supports:
- Container handling
- Import and export container flows
- Domestic and inter-island cargo
- General cargo handling
- Breakbulk cargo operations
- Reefer container operations
- Passenger and ferry services
- Vehicle and wheeled cargo
- Food and agricultural cargo logistics
- Machinery and industrial equipment
- Chemicals and industrial inputs
- Paper products and consumer goods
- Yard and gate operations
- Customs clearance and inspection processes
- Warehousing and regional distribution
- Trucking and inland delivery
- Connections with Surabaya, East Java, Madura, Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, and eastern Indonesia logistics corridors
This infrastructure makes Surabaya suitable for containerized freight, domestic cargo, and international commercial cargo, especially shipments connected to East Java manufacturing, food production, inter-island trade, consumer markets, industrial supply chains, and eastern Indonesia distribution.
Main Cargo Handled Through Surabaya
The Port of Surabaya handles a broad mix of containerized cargo, food products, agricultural cargo, machinery, vehicles, chemicals, paper products, textiles, consumer goods, refrigerated cargo, general cargo, breakbulk cargo, and project cargo.
| Cargo Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Containerized imports | Machinery, consumer goods, industrial inputs, spare parts, chemicals, packaging, construction materials |
| Containerized exports | Food products, agricultural cargo, manufactured goods, textiles, paper products, commercial freight |
| Food and beverage cargo | Processed food, beverages, frozen goods, chilled products, fruit, seafood, food ingredients |
| Agricultural cargo | Coffee, cocoa, spices, grain, fruit, seafood, agricultural inputs, processed agricultural products |
| Machinery cargo | Factory equipment, spare parts, tools, production machinery, industrial equipment |
| Vehicle cargo | Cars, trucks, wheeled equipment, automotive parts, replacement components |
| Chemical cargo | Packaged chemicals, industrial chemicals, plastics, resin, regulated cargo when permitted |
| Paper and pulp cargo | Paper products, packaging materials, pulp-related cargo, industrial paper goods |
| Textile and garment cargo | Fabrics, apparel, footwear, accessories, finished garments, production inputs |
| Consumer goods | Household goods, appliances, electronics, retail products, furniture, packaged goods |
| Refrigerated cargo | Frozen goods, chilled goods, seafood, meat, fruit, pharmaceuticals, temperature-sensitive products |
| Project cargo | Heavy equipment, industrial cargo, energy-sector cargo, construction project cargo, specialized freight |
Surabaya is especially relevant for shippers that need access to East Java, eastern Indonesia, industrial facilities, food producers, agricultural exporters, manufacturers, retailers, and regional distribution corridors.
Shipping to Surabaya Indonesia
Importers ship cargo to Surabaya from Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Oceania, and other global trade regions.
Common imports to Surabaya and East Java include:
- Machinery and spare parts
- Industrial equipment
- Vehicles and automotive parts
- Chemicals and raw materials
- Packaging materials
- Plastic materials and resin
- Food products and beverages
- Refrigerated cargo
- Consumer goods and retail inventory
- Electronics and appliances
- Textile materials and fabrics
- Construction materials
- Steel products
- Medical and healthcare products
- Manufacturing inputs
- General cargo
- Project cargo and oversized equipment
When shipping to Surabaya, importers should compare total landed cost rather than only the ocean freight rate. Total landed cost may include origin charges, sea freight, destination charges, Indonesian import duty, VAT, income tax where applicable, terminal handling, customs broker fees, documentation fees, storage, demurrage, detention, trucking, inland delivery, inspection fees, and cargo insurance.
Use the iContainers ocean freight calculator to estimate shipping costs and compare available freight options.
Shipping From Surabaya Indonesia
Exporters use Surabaya for cargo moving from East Java, Surabaya, Gresik, Sidoarjo, Pasuruan, Malang, Madura, Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, agricultural production areas, industrial zones, warehouses, manufacturers, and inland logistics corridors to Southeast Asia, East Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Oceania, and other international markets.
Common export cargo from Surabaya includes:
- Food products
- Beverages
- Seafood and refrigerated products
- Coffee, cocoa, spices, and agricultural products
- Textiles and garments
- Footwear
- Paper products and packaging
- Chemicals and industrial products
- Manufactured goods
- Machinery and spare parts
- Furniture and consumer goods
- Packaged commercial goods
- Project cargo
- Breakbulk cargo
- Containerized freight
- General commercial cargo
For exporters, the best shipping option depends on cargo volume, product type, destination, Incoterm, sailing schedule, terminal choice, equipment availability, customs documentation, inland pickup location, temperature-control needs, and required transit time.
FCL is usually more efficient for larger commercial volumes, while LCL can work well for smaller shipments, samples, cartons, pallets, and partial container loads.
FCL vs LCL Shipping Through Surabaya Indonesia
| Shipping Option | Best For | Main Advantage | Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCL shipping | Full 20ft or 40ft container loads | Dedicated container and fewer cargo touchpoints | Best when shipment volume justifies a full container |
| LCL shipping | Smaller shipments, cartons, pallets, samples, partial loads | Pay only for the space used | May involve consolidation or deconsolidation through Surabaya, Jakarta, Semarang, Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, or another hub |
| Reefer container | Food products, frozen goods, chilled goods, seafood, fruit, pharmaceuticals | Keeps cargo at controlled temperature | Requires equipment availability, plug capacity, temperature settings, and correct documentation |
| General cargo shipping | Pallets, cartons, equipment, mixed commercial freight | Flexible for non-specialized commercial cargo | Requires correct handling, packing, and documentation |
| Inter-island cargo | Domestic cargo moving between Indonesian islands | Useful for distribution across eastern Indonesia | Requires coordination with domestic carrier services and local delivery networks |
| Breakbulk shipping | Machinery, steel, oversized cargo, industrial equipment | Useful for cargo not suitable for standard containers | Requires special handling and early coordination |
| Agricultural export shipping | Coffee, cocoa, spices, seafood, fruit, processed food | Supports East Java and eastern Indonesia export supply chains | May require sanitary, phytosanitary, quality, or origin documentation |
| Project cargo | Heavy or complex industrial shipments | Supports industrial, infrastructure, and energy projects | Needs coordination with carrier, terminal, customs broker, and inland transport |
For shippers comparing route options, iContainers’ transit time calculator can help estimate shipping times before booking.
Customs Clearance at Surabaya and Indonesia
Cargo imported or exported through Surabaya must comply with Indonesian customs requirements. Importers and exporters should prepare accurate shipment data before cargo arrival or departure, including product descriptions, HS codes, customs value, country of origin, consignee details, shipper details, importer information, exporter information, and supporting documentation.
Commercial shipments through Surabaya may require documents such as a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or sea waybill, import declaration, export declaration, certificate of origin, import license or export license when applicable, insurance certificate, inspection certificate, and product-specific regulatory documents.
Regulated goods such as food products, agricultural goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, vehicles, batteries, hazardous cargo, plants, animals, textiles, and restricted items may require additional permits, inspection, testing, sanitary approval, phytosanitary approval, product registration, safety documentation, or agency authorization under Indonesian rules.
For more general guidance, read iContainers’ guide to customs clearance.
Documents Needed for Shipping Through Surabaya Indonesia
Most commercial ocean freight shipments to or from Surabaya require:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or sea waybill
- Import or export customs declaration
- HS code and product description
- Importer of record details, when importing into Indonesia
- Exporter details, when exporting from Indonesia
- Indonesian business registration details, when applicable
- Tax identification details, when applicable
- Certificate of origin, when required
- Import license or export license, when applicable
- Inspection certificate, when applicable
- Insurance certificate, when applicable
- Dangerous goods declaration, when applicable
- Safety data sheet, for regulated chemicals or hazardous cargo
- Product conformity documents, when applicable
- Phytosanitary certificate, when applicable
- Veterinary certificate, when applicable
- Food safety or agricultural documents, when applicable
- Quarantine documents, when applicable
- BPOM, Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Agriculture, or other agency permits, when applicable
- Vehicle documentation, when applicable
- Project cargo permits, when applicable
- Delivery order or cargo release documents
- Customs broker authorization, when using a customs broker
- Inland transport documents, when cargo moves by truck, rail, ferry, or another inland mode
Documentation should be complete and consistent before cargo arrival or departure. Incorrect HS codes, incomplete cargo descriptions, missing permits, inaccurate invoices, inconsistent consignee details, missing inspection documents, or late customs data can delay customs clearance and increase costs.
Common Shipping Routes for Surabaya Indonesia
Surabaya connects East Java and eastern Indonesia with Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Oceania, and wider global trade lanes through direct services, feeder services, domestic shipping, inter-island networks, trucking, and transshipment.
| Trade Lane | Common Cargo |
|---|---|
| Southeast Asia to Surabaya | Consumer goods, food products, machinery, packaging, industrial inputs |
| East Asia to Surabaya | Electronics, machinery, vehicles, chemicals, consumer goods, textile inputs |
| Indian Subcontinent to Surabaya | Textiles, food products, machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods |
| Middle East to Surabaya | Chemicals, plastics, industrial materials, machinery, general cargo |
| Europe to Surabaya | Machinery, vehicles, chemicals, specialist products, food products, industrial cargo |
| North America to Surabaya | Machinery, medical goods, technology products, food products, industrial inputs |
| Oceania to Surabaya | Food products, agricultural cargo, refrigerated goods, raw materials |
| Surabaya to Southeast Asia | Food products, agricultural cargo, textiles, manufactured goods, commercial cargo |
| Surabaya to East Asia | Food products, seafood, paper products, textiles, chemicals, manufactured goods |
| Surabaya to Europe | Food products, agricultural cargo, textiles, paper products, manufactured goods |
| Surabaya to North America | Food products, seafood, textiles, furniture, consumer goods, commercial freight |
| Surabaya to Oceania | Food products, machinery, consumer goods, general freight |
| Surabaya to Indonesian coastal ports | Consumer goods, food products, industrial cargo, machinery, containerized freight |
Routing may involve direct ocean services, feeder services, domestic shipping, trucking, or transshipment through Jakarta, Tanjung Priok, Semarang, Makassar, Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Laem Chabang, Ho Chi Minh City, Cai Mep, Busan, Shanghai, Ningbo, Kaohsiung, Colombo, Jebel Ali, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Sydney, Melbourne, and other hubs depending on carrier schedule, cargo type, and final destination.
When Should You Use Surabaya Instead of Another Indonesian Port?
Surabaya can be suitable when:
- The cargo origin or destination is in Surabaya, East Java, Gresik, Sidoarjo, Mojokerto, Pasuruan, Malang, Madura, Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, or eastern Indonesia
- The shipment is connected to East Java manufacturing, food production, agricultural exports, textiles, chemicals, paper products, consumer goods, inter-island distribution, or industrial supply chains
- The cargo is containerized and suitable for FCL or LCL shipping
- The shipment involves machinery, vehicles, food products, refrigerated cargo, chemicals, agricultural cargo, construction cargo, consumer goods, general cargo, or project cargo
- Inland delivery distance is shorter through Surabaya than through Jakarta, Semarang, Makassar, or another Indonesian port
- The shipper needs access to container, reefer, general cargo, inter-island shipping, trucking, warehousing, or distribution capability
- The shipment benefits from proximity to East Java’s industrial base, Surabaya’s commercial market, or eastern Indonesia logistics corridors
Another Indonesian port may be more suitable when the shipment requires proximity to Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, or a specific carrier rotation through Tanjung Priok, Tanjung Emas, Belawan, Makassar, Bitung, or another Indonesian gateway. The right port choice should be based on total landed cost, sailing schedule, inland distance, customs requirements, cargo type, equipment availability, terminal capability, storage needs, reefer requirements, and required delivery date.
How to Get an Ocean Freight Quote for Surabaya Indonesia
To get a freight quote to or from Surabaya, prepare the following details:
- Origin and destination
- Port-to-port, door-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-door requirement
- Cargo weight and dimensions
- Number of pallets, cartons, boxes, vehicles, trailers, or containers
- FCL, LCL, reefer, breakbulk, general cargo, hazardous, inter-island cargo, agricultural cargo, industrial cargo, or project cargo preference
- Commodity description and HS code, if available
- Cargo ready date
- Incoterm
- Customs clearance requirements
- Final pickup or delivery address, if needed
- Inland movement requirement, such as trucking, warehouse delivery, factory pickup, port warehouse movement, refrigerated delivery, distribution center delivery, ferry connection, or project cargo delivery
- Special handling requirements, such as reefer cargo, hazardous cargo, chemicals, batteries, temperature control, oversized cargo, heavy lifting, customs inspection, quarantine inspection, product inspection, or high-value cargo
- Preferred carrier, terminal, trucking provider, customs broker, bonded warehouse, feeder service, domestic carrier, inter-island service, or transshipment hub, if already specified
With iContainers, businesses can compare ocean freight options online, review available rates, and manage international shipments through a digital booking process.
FAQ About the Port of Surabaya
The Port of Surabaya, also known as Tanjung Perak Port, is located in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, near the Madura Strait and Java Sea.
The UN/LOCODE for the Port of Surabaya is IDSUB.
Common cargo includes containers, machinery, vehicles, food products, agricultural cargo, chemicals, paper products, textiles, consumer goods, refrigerated cargo, general cargo, breakbulk cargo, and project cargo.
The Port of Surabaya is operated under Pelindo, with container operations supported by Terminal Petikemas Surabaya and related Tanjung Perak terminal facilities.
Surabaya may be suitable when cargo is connected to East Java or eastern Indonesia and inland or inter-island delivery is more efficient through Tanjung Perak. Jakarta may be more suitable for cargo connected to West Java, Greater Jakarta, or specific carrier rotations through Tanjung Priok.
Surabaya serves Surabaya, East Java, Gresik, Sidoarjo, Mojokerto, Pasuruan, Malang, Madura, Bali, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara, and eastern Indonesia logistics corridors.