Indonesia Coal HS270119 Export Data 2025 October Overview

Indonesia Coal (HS 270119) 2025 October Export: Key Takeaways

Indonesia's Coal Export under HS Code 270119 in October 2025 shows a high-volume, lower-value trade pattern, with India and China dominating as bulk buyers for energy needs, while markets like Malaysia and Japan demand higher-grade coal. The export structure leans toward cost efficiency, with India taking 23.83% of weight but only 20.40% of value, reflecting lower-grade shipments. Geographic risk remains concentrated, as these two markets account for nearly half of exports, while diversification into higher-value partners could offset volume declines. Market dynamics are shaped by policy shifts, including onshore export proceeds mandates and potential levies on premium coal grades. This analysis, covering October 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Indonesia Coal (HS 270119) 2025 October Export Background

Indonesia's Coal (HS Code 270119), which includes non-agglomerated coal excluding anthracite and bituminous, fuels power plants and industrial processes globally, maintaining steady demand despite energy transitions. In 2025, Indonesia tightened export policies, requiring coal exporters to park proceeds onshore for a year [S&P Global], while exploring levies on high-grade thermal coal [Discovery Alert]. As a top exporter, Indonesia’s October 2025 shipments of HS Code 270119 remain critical for Asian markets, balancing domestic revenue goals with global supply needs.

Indonesia Coal (HS 270119) 2025 October Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In October 2025, Indonesia's coal exports under HS Code 270119 totaled $1.24 billion in value and 22.36 billion kilograms in volume, marking a noticeable decline from previous months.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The October figures represent a sharp drop from September, with value falling by over 17% and volume by 20% month-over-month. This decrease aligns with typical seasonal patterns in the coal industry, where export volumes often dip during transitional periods due to reduced global demand and inventory drawdowns ahead of winter. The overall 2025 trend shows volatility, but the October slump is consistent with cyclical adjustments rather than a structural shift.

External Context and Outlook

This volatility is exacerbated by Indonesia's policy environment, including the mandate for exporters to park proceeds onshore for at least one year [SSEK] and ongoing discussions about export levies on high-grade coal (Discovery Alert). These measures, aimed at boosting domestic revenue, have introduced uncertainty and may continue to influence export flows negatively into early 2026.

Indonesia Coal (HS 270119) 2025 October Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

Indonesia's Coal HS Code 270119 Export in 2025 October is entirely concentrated on a single sub-code: "Coal; (other than anthracite and bituminous), whether or not pulverised but not agglomerated". This product accounts for all export value, weight, and quantity, with a unit price of 0.06 USD per kilogram, indicating a focus on low-value, bulk raw material without significant processing or high-grade specialization.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

With only one sub-code present, the export structure under HS Code 270119 consists solely of raw, unprocessed coal that is not anthracite or bituminous. This uniformity suggests a trade in fungible bulk commodities, where products are largely undifferentiated and priced based on global market indices rather than unique quality grades or value-added stages. The absence of other sub-codes points to a homogenous export portfolio centered on basic thermal or lower-grade coal.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The low unit price and commodity nature of Indonesia's Coal HS Code 270119 Export imply limited pricing power for exporters, as sales are driven by volume rather than premium quality. Recent policies, such as the mandate for exporters to park all proceeds onshore for at least one year [SSEK], and potential export levies on high-grade coal (SSEK), may further pressure margins by increasing compliance costs without enhancing product differentiation. Exporters should prioritize cost efficiency and monitor regulatory changes to maintain competitiveness in global markets.

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Indonesia Coal (HS 270119) 2025 October Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In October 2025, Indonesia's coal exports under HS Code 270119 show strong geographic focus, with India as the top destination, taking 23.83% of weight but only 20.40% of value, indicating lower-grade coal shipments at reduced prices. China follows with 22.72% weight and 19.47% value share, reinforcing a pattern of high-volume, lower-value trade common in commodity markets where bulk buyers like India and China prioritize cost over quality for energy needs.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The importers form two clear clusters: first, large-volume buyers like India and China, driven by high energy demand and cost efficiency for power generation. Second, higher-value partners such as Malaysia and Japan, with value ratios exceeding weight shares, likely seek better-grade coal for industrial use, reflecting regional proximity and quality requirements. A third group includes countries like South Korea and Bangladesh, showing balanced ratios, possibly for mixed applications.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Indonesia, maintaining export flows requires adapting to policy shifts, such as the mandate to park export proceeds onshore [SSEK] and potential levies on high-grade coal (discoveryalert.com.au). Diversifying towards higher-value markets could offset volume declines, while managing supply chain risks from global demand softness and domestic regulations.

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Indonesia Coal (HS 270119) 2025 October Export: Action Plan for Coal Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Indonesia Coal Export 2025 October under HS Code 270119 operates as a bulk commodity trade. Price is driven by global thermal coal indices and volume-based demand from major energy markets. Low unit cost reflects undifferentiated, low-grade product with minimal processing. Supply chain implications center on high volume logistics and exposure to policy shifts like onshore fund parking rules. Heavy reliance on India and China for volume increases vulnerability to demand softness or regulatory changes.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Coal Market Execution

• Negotiate long-term contracts with dominant high-frequency buyers. This secures stable volume and reduces cash flow disruption from Indonesia's new export proceeds rule.
• Analyze shipment data to identify cost-efficient logistics routes to India and China. This protects thin margins in high-volume, low-value trade flows.
• Diversify export destinations using trade data to target higher-value markets like Japan. This reduces over-reliance on a few bulk buyers and improves average unit revenue.
• Monitor regulatory alerts for changes in export levies or coal grades under HS Code 270119. This allows proactive cost management and avoids compliance penalties.
• Benchmark unit prices against global indices for every shipment. This ensures competitiveness and identifies opportunities for slight premium pricing where possible.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Indonesia Coal Export 2025 October?

The sharp 17% drop in value and 20% decline in volume reflects seasonal demand shifts, compounded by Indonesia’s policy requiring export proceeds to be held onshore for one year, adding compliance costs.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Indonesia Coal Export 2025 October?

India (23.83% weight) and China (22.72% weight) dominate as bulk buyers, while Malaysia and Japan show higher value-to-weight ratios, indicating premium-grade demand.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Indonesia Coal Export 2025 October partner countries?

The uniform sub-code for unprocessed, low-grade coal (HS 270119) means price differences stem from buyer negotiation power and regional demand, not product differentiation.

Q4. What should exporters in Indonesia focus on in the current Coal export market?

Exporters must prioritize relationships with high-volume buyers (89.44% of value) while monitoring policy risks like onshore proceeds mandates and potential export levies.

Q5. What does this Indonesia Coal export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Buyers in India and China benefit from stable bulk supply, but face reliance on Indonesia’s regulatory shifts, while higher-value markets like Japan secure better-grade coal.

Q6. How is Coal typically used in this trade flow?

The exports consist entirely of raw, unprocessed thermal or lower-grade coal, primarily for power generation in high-volume markets like India and China.