Bali is a well-known global holiday destination. In 2025, the island recorded approximately 7.05 million of foreign tourist arrivals, significantly exceeding the 2.5 million foreign tourist arrivals recorded in Jakarta during the same period.

With its unique culture, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant lifestyle, Bali continues attract millions of foreign tourists visiting the island. As a result, Bali has become a thriving destination for foreign investment across a wide range of industries, including accommodation, food and beverage, wellness, tourism, fashion, retail, and lifestyle businesses.

As an intellectual property (IP) consultant based in Indonesia, we regularly receive inquiries from foreign investors and business owners domiciled in Bali regarding the IP matters in Indonesia. Most of these inquiries relate to trademark protections and registrations for their businesses in Indonesia. Accordingly, we would like to highlight several important aspects of trademark registration in Indonesia that every foreign investor and business owner should understand before entering the Indonesian market.

Applicant identifications:

For trademark applications filed by foreign individuals or foreign companies, Indonesian law requires the applicants to appoint a registered local IP consultant to act on their behalf throughout the trademark registration process. In other words, foreign applicants are NOT permitted to file or prosecute trademark applications directly without the appointment of a registered Indonesian IP consultant.

As a qualified and registered Indonesian IP consultancy, NBS Intellectual is authorized to represent foreign applicants in trademark matters before the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP).  

Required materials for foreign trademark applicants:

• Copy of trademark
• Business license / incorporation document
• Passport or ID card of one legal representative (e.g.: director, chairman, president, etc.)
• Products and/or services to be covered for the trademark
• Valid address (Indonesian or foreign address is acceptable)

 Upon receiving the above documents and information, we will prepare the Power of Attorney, Trademark Declaration, and other required forms, for your review and signature. Once the signed documents have been returned to us, we will proceed with filing your trademark application(s) with the DGIP of Indonesia.

 Trademark classifications (classes):

The international trademark classification system consists of 45 classes, covering a wide range of goods and services. Selecting the appropriate class(es) is an important step in ensuring that your trademark is properly protected for the products or services your business offers.

If your trademark has already been filed or registered in your home country or another jurisdiction, you may generally adopt the same class(es) when filing a trademark application in Indonesia. For new trademark applications, our team at NBS Intellectual can advise on the most appropriate class(es) based on the nature of your business and your commercial objectives.

Based on our experience assisting many foreign investors in Bali, the following trademark classes are among the most commonly selected:

Businesses	Trademark Classes
Hospitality industries	Class 39: Travel agencies; travel arrangement; transportation. Class 41: Education & training services; organizing of entertainment & cultural activities; amusement facilities. Class 43: Hotels; villas; guesthouses; restaurants; cafes; clubs; bars; pubs. Class 44: Beauty & medical services; clinics; salons; spas; wellness centers.
Personal care	Class 3: Skincare & cosmetics. Class 5: Medicated personal care products; medicines Class 44: Beauty & medical services; clinics; salons; spas; wellness centers.
Fashion & accessories	Class 14: Jewelries; beauty accessories Class 18: Leather bags and accessories Class 24: Textiles and fabrics Class 25: Clothing; footwear and headgear
Foods and beverages	Class 29: Processed and preserved foods Class 30: Coffee, tea, cocoa, and ready to eat foods Class 31: Fresh vegetable & fruits; live animals Class 32: Non-alcoholic beverages Class 33: Alcoholic beverages Class 43: Restaurants; cafes; clubs; bars; pubs.
Retail services; business consultancy	Class 35: Retail & wholesale services; offline and online shops; sales gallery; business consulting services Class 45: Legal services

 Indonesia’s “First to file” Trademark System:

Under this system, trademark rights are generally granted to the party that first files the trademark application, irrespective of which party first created or used the trademark. Therefore, it is crucial for the business owners file the trademarks BEFORE the trademarks are launched, used or released to the public. This is to reduce the risk of trademark squatting that has become increasingly common in Indonesia. Trademark squatting occurs when an unknown party registers a trademark in bad faith, intending to profit from or block the legitimate owner from using or registering the trademark. Once trademark squatting occurs, resolving the dispute can be complex, and lawsuits may be required in order to resolve the problem.

 Why Choose NBS Intellectual?

With over 20 years of experience, NBS Intellectual is a registered Indonesian IP consultancy dedicated to helping both local and international clients protect their valuable IP rights. Our English-speaking team provides responsive, practical, and reliable support throughout every stage of the trademark registration process. Combined with our competitive pricing and commitment to delivering high-quality service, we have earned the trust of foreign businesses seeking IP protection in Indonesia.

If you are planning to establish or expand your business in Indonesia, we would be pleased to assist you with protecting your trademarks and other IP rights. Contact us today to discuss your trademark registration needs and take the first step towards securing your brand in Indonesia.