2025 Indonesia Steel Structures (HS 7308) Export: Wild Swings

Key Takeaways

Steel structures, classified under HS Code 7308 (Steel structures (except mobile homes under tax heading 94.06) and their parts (e.g., bridges and bridge sections, gates, towers, lattice rods, roofs, roof frames, doors and windows and their frames, thresholds, shutters, railings, pillars and columns);), exhibited extreme volatility from January to September 2025.

• Market Pulse: Export volumes and values swung wildly, with a 66% weight drop in March, a 167% value surge in May, and an 867% weight spike in July before collapsing over 90% in September.
• Structural Shift: Indonesia Steel structures Export market is dangerously concentrated in Australia (55% of value), with minimal diversification from secondary markets like China Taiwan (6.7%) and Canada (6.5%).
• Product Logic: HS Code 7308 trade data reveals a split between low-value bulk commodities (0.68 USD/kg) and premium specialized products (17.39 USD/kg), dominated by miscellaneous steel structures (40% of export value).

This overview covers the period from January to September 2025 and is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Indonesia Steel Structures (HS Code 7308) Key Metrics Trend

Market Trend Summary

The Indonesia Steel structures export trend from January to September 2025 displayed extreme volatility, characterized by sharp fluctuations in both volume and value. Starting with a strong January performance at 20.53 million kg, exports saw a dramatic 66% weight drop in March, followed by a 167% value surge in May and an unprecedented 867% weight spike in July, before collapsing by over 90% in September. This erratic pattern reflects underlying market instability rather than a consistent growth or decline trajectory.

Drivers & Industry Context

The March 2025 implementation of MOT Regulations 8 and 9 [Permitindo] likely triggered the sharp decline that month, as policy uncertainty disrupted trade flows. Subsequent surges, particularly the July peak, may stem from pre-emptive shipments ahead of anticipated tighter import controls for HS Code 7308, amid domestic industry pressure to curb foreign competition [Bakrie Brothers]. The volatile hs code 7308 value throughout this period underscores how regulatory shifts and anti-dumping tensions [CATTS] amplified typical market cycles, leading to erratic export behavior.

Table: Indonesia Steel Structures Export Trend (Source: yTrade)

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Indonesia HS Code 7308 Export Breakdown

Market Composition & Top Categories

According to yTrade data, Indonesia's HS Code 7308 export market from January to September 2025 is dominated by miscellaneous steel structures, which account for over 40% of the total export value. Scaffolding equipment and tower structures follow with significant shares of 27% and 16%, respectively. The remaining sub-codes, including bridge sections and minor structural parts, collectively contribute less than 20% to the value, indicating a concentrated Indonesia HS Code 7308 Export profile.

Value Chain & Strategic Insights

Unit prices for these steel structures range widely from 0.68 to 17.39 USD per kilogram, highlighting a market split between low-value, bulk commodity items and higher-value, specialized products. Despite this range, the dominance of lower-priced categories suggests a primarily commodity-driven trade structure with price sensitivity. This HS Code 7308 breakdown reveals opportunities for exporters to target niche, high-margin segments within the broader trade structure.

Table: Indonesia HS Code 7308) Export Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Indonesia Steel Structures Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration & Market Risk

Australia dominates Indonesia's steel structures export destinations, capturing over 55% of total export value in the first three quarters of 2025. This heavy reliance on a single market introduces significant concentration risk, where any economic slowdown or policy shift in Australia could directly impact Indonesian export revenues. The next largest partners, China Taiwan and Canada, hold just 6.7% and 6.5% market share respectively, failing to provide meaningful diversification against Australian demand volatility.

Purchasing Behavior & Demand Segmentation

Australia's value ratio (55.29) substantially exceeds its weight ratio (35.17), indicating premium pricing for specialized steel structures rather than bulk commodity shipments. This value-volume gap reveals quality-conscious demand for high-value engineering specifications, likely for construction and infrastructure projects requiring certified materials. The pattern holds across other key trade partners for Steel structures, particularly the UAE and Qatar, where massive value-to-weight disparities confirm targeted procurement of premium fabricated components rather than raw materials, creating margin potential through specialized manufacturing.

Table: Indonesia Steel Structures (HS Code 7308) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Indonesia Steel Structures Buyer Companies Analysis

Buyer Concentration & Market Structure

According to yTrade data, Indonesia's steel structures export market is dominated by a small group of project-based buyers who make large, infrequent purchases. These strategic accounts, including firms like Shell Australia, drive 57.8% of total export value despite representing only 5.3% of order volume. This concentration indicates a market shaped by major industrial or infrastructure projects rather than steady supply chain partnerships.

Purchasing Behavior & Sales Strategy

The heavy reliance on a few bulk buyers creates significant client concentration risk, requiring a high-touch key account strategy with deep relationship management. Sellers should align with Indonesia’s evolving export regulations, such as those outlined in MOT Regulation No. 8/2025, to ensure compliance for large shipments. For HS Code 7308 buyer trends, diversifying into secondary markets like high-frequency, lower-value buyers could mitigate dependency on major project cycles.

Table: Indonesia Steel Structures (HS Code 7308) Top Buyers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Steel Structures Market Operation and Expansion

• Diversify buyer portfolios: Reduce reliance on Australia by targeting high-frequency, lower-value buyers in secondary markets like the UAE and Qatar to mitigate concentration risk.
• Lock in pricing for bulk orders: Hedge against volatility by negotiating fixed-price contracts with key clients like Shell Australia during stable periods.
• Comply with MOT Regulations 8/9: Audit shipment documentation to align with Indonesia’s 2025 export policy changes, avoiding disruptions like the March 2025 collapse.
• Target premium niches: Shift production toward high-margin segments (e.g., certified infrastructure components) where Australia’s value-to-weight ratio (55.29 vs. 35.17) signals premium demand.
• Monitor anti-dumping tensions: Track updates from CATTS to preempt trade barriers affecting HS Code 7308 shipments.

Take Action Now —— Explore Indonesia Steel structures HS Code 7308 Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Indonesia Steel structures Export in 2025?

The extreme volatility in Indonesia's steel structures exports is driven by regulatory shifts, including MOT Regulations 8 and 9, and pre-emptive shipments ahead of anticipated import controls. The erratic pattern reflects market instability rather than consistent growth or decline.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Indonesia Steel structures (HS Code 7308) in 2025?

Australia dominates with over 55% of export value, followed by China Taiwan (6.7%) and Canada (6.5%). This heavy reliance on Australia introduces significant concentration risk.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Indonesia Steel structures Export in 2025?

The price difference stems from a market split between low-value bulk commodities (e.g., scaffolding) and high-value specialized products (e.g., premium fabricated components). Australia pays premium prices for certified engineering-grade structures.

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

Exporters should prioritize high-touch key account management for project-based bulk buyers while diversifying into secondary markets to reduce dependency on Australia. Compliance with evolving export regulations is critical.

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

Buyers in Australia and other premium markets face stable access to high-quality engineered structures but must monitor regulatory risks. Bulk buyers should anticipate price sensitivity and supply volatility.

Q6. How is Steel structures typically used in this trade flow?

Steel structures are primarily used in large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects, such as construction frameworks, scaffolding, and specialized engineering components.