Selecting a KBLI code is one of the most important early decisions when establishing or licensing a business in Indonesia. The code should describe what the company actually does, not merely what sounds closest to the company name or what another business happens to use.

For founders and foreign investors considering KBLI selection Jakarta, the objective is to connect the real business model with the appropriate Indonesian Standard Industrial Classification, then confirm how that activity is treated within the OSS licensing system.

This has become particularly important following the publication of KBLI 2025 by Statistics Indonesia, or BPS. BPS describes KBLI as the standard classification used to group economic activities according to their characteristics. The official KBLI 2025 publication from BPS was released in December 2025.

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KBLI Selection Jakarta: Why the Right Business Code Matters

A KBLI code is more than a description appearing in a company file. Within Indonesia’s business licensing framework, the declared business activity is connected to the OSS process and the licensing requirements associated with that activity.

Government Regulation No. 28 of 2025 governs Indonesia’s current risk-based business licensing framework. The regulation covers business licensing, supporting business licenses, basic requirements, OSS services, supervision, and related procedures.

This means an incorrect classification can create a mismatch between what the company intends to do and the licensing pathway associated with the activity.

A proper selection process should therefore answer several questions before the code is entered into OSS:

What products or services will generate revenue
Who will purchase those products or services
Whether the company manufactures, trades, distributes, operates, consults, manages, or provides another type of service
Whether there are several distinct commercial activities
Where the relevant project or operation will be located
Whether the business has foreign shareholders
Whether the activity requires additional sector-specific approvals

For a Jakarta company, KBLI remains a national classification. Operating in Jakarta does not create a separate Jakarta-specific KBLI system, although project location and sector-specific requirements can affect the wider licensing analysis.

Start With the Actual Business Activity, Not the Company Name

One of the easiest mistakes is choosing a KBLI code based on a general label such as consulting company, technology business, trading company, investment company, or construction business.

Those descriptions may be too broad to determine the correct classification.

Instead, describe the activity in operational terms. For example, ask what the company will invoice clients for, what it will deliver, and whether it performs the activity directly or only acts as an intermediary.

A useful internal exercise is to write each proposed activity as a simple sentence:

The company earns revenue by providing or selling ____ to ____.

This often makes the appropriate classification easier to identify than beginning with a code search.

KBLI Selection Jakarta for Companies With Multiple Activities

A company can have more than one commercial activity, but multiple activities should not be added merely to create a broad corporate scope.

Separate the genuine activities first. A business may, for example, combine consulting with software development, trading with distribution, or manufacturing with wholesale activities. Those activities can have different classifications and potentially different licensing consequences.

For companies preparing incorporation documents, this review is best performed before the final scope of business is placed into the deed and before OSS registration begins. Jakarta Legal ID’s verified business setup and licensing service identifies business activity classifications as part of the information used for PT PMDN and PT PMA setup.

KBLI 2025 and the Transition From KBLI 2020

Businesses should also avoid relying blindly on KBLI codes copied from older company documents, previous online articles, or historical OSS records.

BPS published KBLI 2025 as an updated classification and later released an official KBLI 2020–KBLI 2025 conversion table. BPS states that the conversion table is intended to support adjustment of codes and classifications from KBLI 2020 to KBLI 2025 for statistical and administrative purposes.

OSS has also published a guide for the conversion of KBLI 2020 to KBLI 2025.

Do Not Assume an Old KBLI Code Still Maps One-to-One

The practical consequence is straightforward: an old KBLI code should be checked before it is reused for a new registration, corporate amendment, or OSS update.

A sensible verification sequence is:

Identify the company’s actual current activity
Search the official KBLI classification
Compare any historical KBLI 2020 code against the official conversion reference
Check how the activity is presented in the current OSS workflow
Review the licensing implications before submitting the application

The conversion table is a reference tool. It should not replace an analysis of what the company actually does today.

How KBLI Connects to OSS Risk-Based Licensing

KBLI and business licensing are closely connected, but they are not the same concept.

BPS maintains the classification framework for economic activities, while Indonesia’s licensing framework determines what business licensing applies to those activities. Under Government Regulation No. 28 of 2025, business licensing is implemented using a risk-based approach.

Minister of Investment and Downstreaming/Head of BKPM Regulation No. 5 of 2025 provides further procedures for risk-based business licensing and investment facilities through the electronically integrated OSS system.

This is why two questions should always be separated:

Which KBLI correctly describes the activity
What licensing requirements apply to that activity through OSS

Jakarta Legal ID already provides a broader explanation of this framework in its NIB and OSS registration guide, which also identifies incorrect KBLI selection as a potential source of licensing problems.

Check Licensing Requirements Before Finalizing the Company Structure

Once the likely KBLI has been identified, review the resulting licensing pathway before treating the classification as final.

Depending on the activity, the business may need more than an NIB. The applicable requirements must be determined from the current OSS and sector-specific framework rather than assumed from a generic company type.

This step is particularly important for regulated industries such as construction, industrial operations, mining, and other activities that can involve additional approvals or certifications.

KBLI Selection for PT PMA and Foreign Investors

Foreign investors have an additional layer to review.

The correct KBLI identifies the activity, but the investor must also determine whether the proposed foreign ownership structure is compatible with the rules applicable to that business field.

Jakarta Legal ID’s existing article comparing PT PMA and local PT structures explains why KBLI review should occur before foreign investors finalize their ownership and incorporation structure.

For a PT PMA, a practical review should therefore combine:

Business activity classification
Foreign ownership eligibility
Proposed shareholder structure
Investment requirements
OSS risk and licensing requirements
Sector-specific conditions where applicable

A code that accurately describes the activity may still require further regulatory analysis before a foreign-investment company proceeds.

KBLI Selection Jakarta Checklist Before an OSS Filing

Before submitting a new Jakarta company or business activity through OSS, confirm that:

The description matches the real revenue-generating activity
The current KBLI classification has been checked
Historical KBLI 2020 codes have been reviewed against KBLI 2025 where relevant
Every material business activity has been considered separately
The OSS licensing implications have been reviewed
Foreign ownership has been checked when the company is or will become PT PMA
The company deed and intended OSS activities are aligned
Project location and sector-specific requirements have been considered

This checklist does not replace an activity-specific legal review, but it helps prevent classification decisions from being made purely on keywords or assumptions.

Common KBLI Selection Mistakes to Avoid

Several avoidable mistakes can make the licensing process harder later.

Choosing the closest-sounding code without reading its activity description

A title may look suitable while the underlying scope does not accurately describe the business model.

Copying a competitor’s KBLI

Another company may operate differently, have additional activities, use a historical classification, or have a different investment structure.

Using an old KBLI 2020 code without checking the 2025 classification

The official conversion resources exist specifically because codes and activity groupings may require adjustment.

Selecting too many unrelated activities

More codes do not automatically create a better company structure. Each proposed activity should have a genuine commercial purpose and its licensing consequences should be understood.

Ignoring PT PMA implications

For foreign-owned businesses, selecting the activity and reviewing foreign-investment eligibility should be part of the same planning process.

Treating the NIB as the end of licensing analysis

The NIB is central to the OSS framework, but the complete licensing requirements depend on the business activity and applicable risk or sector rules.

For businesses and investors in Jakarta, the strongest approach is therefore to work from the actual business model outward: define the activity, identify the current KBLI, verify its OSS treatment, review ownership and sector restrictions, and only then finalize incorporation and licensing data.

Verify Your KBLI Before Finalizing Your Jakarta Company Setup

An incorrect business classification can affect the OSS pathway, corporate scope, and licenses needed for the activities you actually plan to conduct. This is especially important when a company has multiple activities or foreign shareholders.

Jakarta Legal ID can review your proposed business activities and company structure before incorporation or OSS filing. Start with the verified business setup and licensing service to discuss the classification and licensing path relevant to your planned operations.

Read More: Legal Services Jakarta: Complete Business Setup, Licensing, and Compliance Solutions for Local and Foreign Investors

FAQ – KBLI Selection Jakarta

What is a KBLI code in Indonesia?

KBLI is Indonesia’s standard classification for economic activities, maintained by Statistics Indonesia or BPS. Businesses use the relevant activity classification as part of company and OSS licensing processes.

Which KBLI version should a business check in 2026?

BPS published KBLI 2025 in December 2025 and an official KBLI 2020–KBLI 2025 conversion table in April 2026. Businesses should check the current classification and, where older KBLI 2020 data exists, verify the appropriate conversion and current OSS treatment before filing.

Does Jakarta have its own KBLI classification?

No separate Jakarta KBLI classification was identified in the official sources reviewed. KBLI is a national classification issued by BPS. However, the business location can still matter for other licensing and project-specific requirements.

Can one PT use more than one KBLI code?

A company may have multiple genuine business activities, but each activity should be classified accurately and its licensing implications reviewed. Codes should not be added solely to create an unnecessarily broad corporate scope.

How do I choose the correct KBLI for a new business?

Begin by describing exactly how the company will generate revenue, what product or service it will provide, who receives it, and whether it manufactures, trades, distributes, manages, consults, or performs another activity. Then compare that description with the current official KBLI classification and review the corresponding OSS requirements.

What should I do if my existing company still uses a KBLI 2020 code?

Check the official BPS KBLI 2020–KBLI 2025 conversion table and the OSS conversion guidance before changing or reusing the code. The correct approach depends on the existing company data and the activity currently carried out.

Does the KBLI code determine whether I only need an NIB?

The selected business activity is connected to Indonesia’s risk-based licensing framework, but the complete licensing requirement must be checked through the current OSS and applicable sector rules. Some activities can require additional certificates, licenses, or approvals.

Why is KBLI important for a PT PMA?

For PT PMA, the activity classification must be reviewed together with foreign-investment rules, ownership eligibility, investment requirements, and the OSS licensing pathway. Foreign investors should not choose a KBLI solely because its description appears commercially suitable.

Can I copy the KBLI code used by another company in the same industry?

That is not recommended without verification. Another company may conduct a different activity, use multiple codes, have an older classification, or operate under a different investment and licensing structure.

When should KBLI selection be reviewed during company setup?

Ideally, the business activities should be reviewed before finalizing the company’s business scope and before the OSS application is submitted. This allows the intended activities, company structure, foreign ownership where relevant, and licensing pathway to be assessed together.

KBLI Selection Jakarta: A Practical Guide for Business Owners and Investors