A practical, step-by-step guide to verifying an Indonesian supplier’s NIB on OSS RBA, cross-checking company records on AHU Online, and avoiding payment risks—written by exporters who do this every day.
A quick win before you wire a cent
In the last quarter alone, we helped two buyers avoid paying a combined $10,247 to “suppliers” whose documents didn’t pass a basic NIB and AHU check. Verifying an Indonesian vegetable supplier online isn’t complicated. But you need to know where to click, what each document means, and how to read red flags fast.
This guide focuses on one thing: confirming a supplier’s legal existence and scope before you send money. No pricing or logistics here. Just the exact checks we run as an export team in Indonesia.
The 3 pillars of reliable supplier verification
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Legal existence and scope. Confirm the Business Identification Number (NIB) on OSS RBA and that their KBLI codes cover your product category. For vegetables, look for wholesale and processing codes like KBLI 46312 (Wholesale of Fruits and Vegetables) and, if they process/freeze, relevant food processing KBLI codes.
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Corporate records alignment. Cross-check the legal name, address, and directors on AHU Online (the Ministry of Law and Human Rights database) against the NIB and invoice details.
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Payment safety. Only pay corporate bank accounts that exactly match the legal company name. If anything differs, pause. Ask for proof and re-check.
What’s the difference between NIB, SIUP, and TDP—and which one matters now?
• NIB (Nomor Induk Berusaha). The current, central number issued through OSS RBA. It identifies the business, lists KBLI codes, and ties to risk-based licensing. This is what matters now. • SIUP and TDP. Older trade and company registration documents. They were replaced by NIB under the OSS system. They can still be useful as history, but NIB + current licenses are the gold standard today.
Practical takeaway: Ask for the NIB first. Treat SIUP/TDP as legacy references only.
Weeks 1–2: Quick checks that stop 80% of problems (tools + templates)
We aim to clear these in under 48 hours.
- Request the right documents. Ask for: • NIB certificate (PDF) with QR code. • Latest deed of establishment and amendments (Akta Pendirian/Akta Perubahan) with Ministry approval (SK Kemenkumham). • Tax number (NPWP) and company bank account details. • If they export or process: customs access proof and, where applicable, standard certificates (Sertifikat Standar) tied to their KBLI.
Copy-paste message template (English + Bahasa): “Please share your NIB (PDF with QR), latest deed and approval letter from Kemenkumham, NPWP, and company bank account name/number for verification. Mohon kirimkan NIB (PDF dengan QR), akta pendirian/perubahan dan SK Kemenkumham terbaru, NPWP, serta nama/nomor rekening bank perusahaan untuk verifikasi.”
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Scan the NIB QR. Use your phone camera. The QR should open an oss.go.id page with the same company name and NIB number shown on the PDF. If the QR goes to any non-oss.go.id domain, or the page returns “data tidak ditemukan,” stop and ask questions.
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Manual lookup on OSS RBA. Go to oss.go.id and look for “Cek NIB” or “Legalitas Perizinan/penelusuran.” The UI changed in late 2024, so the exact label may vary. Enter either the NIB or company name. Confirm: • Legal name matches the PDF and invoice header. • Status is active. • KBLI codes include your activity. For example, a supplier of Frozen Mixed Vegetables or Premium Frozen Sweet Corn should show trading and, if they process/freeze, relevant processing KBLI codes.
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AHU Online cross-check. Go to ahu.go.id. Use the search for Perseroan Terbatas (PT) or the relevant business type. Match: • Exact legal name (“Nama Perseroan”). • Company status (Aktif). • Address. Does it match OSS and their invoice or website? • Directors/Commissioners. Do signatories on your documents appear here?
How do I verify an Indonesian supplier’s NIB if I don’t speak Indonesian?
Use Chrome’s built-in translation. Look for these labels: • “Cek NIB” or “Legalitas Perizinan/penelusuran” = NIB check. • “Nama/Name” and “Nomor/NIB Number.” On AHU, search under “Perseroan Terbatas” and compare the romanized details one line at a time.
Where can I input a NIB number to see if it’s valid?
On oss.go.id under the NIB check/verification section. The label may read “Cek NIB,” “Penelusuran Perizinan,” or “Legalitas Perizinan.” The result must display on the oss.go.id domain and match the NIB PDF.
How can I cross-check the supplier’s company name on AHU Online?
Search the exact name on ahu.go.id. Compare the legal name, status, and address with the NIB and invoice. If the address differs across documents, ask for an amendment deed showing the change.
Practical takeaway: If NIB, AHU, and invoice bank details don’t align, don’t proceed to payment.
Weeks 3–6: Deep verification for vegetable exporters and processors
Once the quick checks pass, go a level deeper.
• KBLI scope vs. product claims. If a supplier sells IQF okra or edamame, the NIB should include processing and trading KBLI codes, not just retail. For instance, claims around Premium Frozen Okra or Premium Frozen Edamame should be consistent with their KBLI list.
• Customs readiness. Exporters normally have customs access tied to the NIB. Ask for the customs access letter or proof of registration. Cross-check that the named entity matches the NIB legal name.
• Standard certificates. Under OSS RBA, higher-risk activities require a “Sertifikat Standar.” For food processing, ask which certificates are linked to their NIB and KBLI, and request copies.
• Bank account alignment. The bank account name on the proforma invoice should be the exact PT/CV company name from AHU and OSS. If the invoice shows a personal account, pause.
How do I spot a fake or edited NIB PDF?
• QR doesn’t resolve to oss.go.id or shows a different company. • Inconsistent fonts/spacing, low-res seals, or cropped edges around the QR. • KBLI codes unrelated to vegetables, but the website claims otherwise. • Creation date is yesterday, yet they claim 10 years’ export experience. Ask for older deeds or historical shipments.
Practical takeaway: The QR check plus AHU name match catches most fakes in minutes.
Weeks 7–12: Scale and optimize your supplier pool
Once you’ve validated a few suppliers, build a repeatable system.
• Keep a verification sheet. Columns for NIB, AHU link, KBLI, directors, address, bank account, last re-check date. Re-verify annually or after any company name change.
• Standardize your ask. Keep the bilingual request message on file. Add a clause: “Payment only to corporate account matching legal name on OSS/AHU.”
• Pilot orders only after alignment. Start small, ideally with escrow or a letter of credit if the order size justifies it.
We do this internally for our own lines like Red Radish, Purple Eggplant, and Carrots (Fresh Export Grade). The documentation is ready and aligned with OSS/AHU, which saves everyone time.
The 5 biggest mistakes that kill deals (and how to avoid them)
- Paying first, verifying later. Always reverse that order.
- Not scanning the NIB QR. It’s the fastest authenticity check.
- Ignoring KBLI mismatches. If the scope doesn’t include your product, you’re exposed.
- Accepting personal bank accounts. Corporate account only, same legal name.
- Skipping AHU. NIB shows licensing, but AHU confirms the legal backbone and signatories.
What should I do if a supplier refuses to share their NIB?
Treat it as a red flag. Politely explain your compliance policy and ask for at least the NIB number and a screenshot of the OSS page. If they still refuse, walk away. Solid companies share NIBs routinely.
Is it safe to pay if the bank account is a personal name?
We don’t recommend it. If the supplier insists, request a corporate bank letter proving it’s a controlled settlement account for the company, and verify the signer’s authority against AHU. In our experience, 3 out of 5 disputes involve payments to personal accounts.
Resources and next steps
• OSS RBA NIB verification. Use the “Cek NIB/Legalitas Perizinan” area on oss.go.id. Compare name, NIB, status, and KBLI. • AHU Online company search. Match legal name, status, directors, and address. • Practical scope check. If you need frozen and processed specs like our Frozen Paprika (Bell Peppers) - Red, Yellow, Green & Mixed, ensure processing KBLI is listed alongside wholesale.
If you’d like a second set of eyes on a NIB or AHU record, or a quick opinion on KBLI scope for vegetables, Contact us on whatsapp. And if you want to see what export-ready documentation and specifications look like in practice, View our products.
Final takeaway: Verification isn’t bureaucracy. It’s a 20–40 minute workflow that prevents weeks of headaches. Run the QR. Cross-check on AHU. Match the bank name. Then proceed with confidence.