The rupiah, the local currency, remains freely convertible, although Bank Indonesia (BI) requires submission of evidence of underlying transactions to support the purchase of a foreign currency against the rupiah through banks exceeding $100,000 per month (regulation 10/28/PBI/2008, effective November 13, 2008). For foreign parties (foreign citizens and foreign legal entities), this regulation governed the purchase of foreign currency against the rupiah in spot transactions. Currently, banks must report all foreign exchange transactions and foreign obligations to BI. With respect to the physical movement of currency, Article 16 of Law No. 15/2002 contains a reporting requirement for any person taking cash into or out of Indonesia in the amount of Rp.100 million ($11,111) or more, or the equivalent in another currency, which must be reported to the Director General of Customs and Excise (DGCE). BI regulation 3/18/PBI/2001 and the DGCE Decree No.01/BC/2005 concerning the Reporting Procedure of Cross Border Cash Carrying, launched on January 2005, contain the requirements and procedures of inspection, prohibition, deposit of rupiah into or out of Indonesia. The Decree provides implementing guidance for Ministry of Finance Regulation No.624/PMK.04/2004 of December 31, 2004, which requires individuals who import or export more than rupiah 50 to 100 million in cash (approximately $5,555-$11,111) to report such transactions to Customs.

In 2005 BI issued certain prohibitions and restrictions in conducting foreign exchange transactions with foreign counterparts. The regulation lowered the limit on transaction amounts for commercial banks engaging in derivative transactions with foreign counterparts from $3 million to $1 million. This limit covers all types of transactions involving foreign exchange selling and purchasing against the rupiah. However, the restrictions will not apply if the derivative transactions are conducted for hedging purposes within the framework of an investment in Indonesia that will last for at least three months. The regulation also requires foreign or domestic currency lending to foreign counterparts to be conducted in the form of a syndicated loan that engages a prime bank (commercial banks with a certain investment rating from a well know rating agency) as lead bank for the purpose of project financing in the real estate sector in Indonesia. The regulation allows for fines at a flat rate of ten percent of the amount of the violating transaction. This is more stringent than under the previous regulation, which provided a fluctuating rate. BI hopes that the regulation will reduce foreign exchange movement that is not related to a genuine underlying purpose.

Under the 2007 investment law, the GOI gives assurance to investors relating to the transfer and repatriation of funds, in foreign currency, on capital, profit, interest, dividend and other income, funds required for (i) purchasing raw material, intermediate goods or final goods, and (ii) replacing capital goods for continuation of business operations, additional funds required for investment project, funds for debt payment, royalties, income of foreign individual working on the invested project, earnings from selling or liquidation of invested company, compensation for losses, and compensation for expropriation.