Anti-Counterfeiting Solutions in Indonesia: How to Choose a Method and a Vendor
For most brands selling in Indonesia, the most effective anti-counterfeiting solution is a label with a unique code per product (QR + PIN or NFC) that consumers can check themselves, because plain holograms and a BPOM registration check do not prove that the unit in hand is genuine. Choose the method by product price, who will verify it, and whether you need distribution data from every scan.
Counterfeiting is not a niche problem. The OECD and EUIPO estimate global trade in fake goods at USD 467 billion, or 2.3% of world imports (2021 data, published May 2025). In Indonesia, a study by MIAP and Universitas Pelita Harapan put the economic loss at more than IDR 291 trillion and more than 2 million jobs (2020 study, released December 2021).
This guide compares the anti-counterfeiting methods Indonesian brands commonly use, then gives criteria for choosing a vendor. Shieldtag is one provider of QR + PIN labels; we also say when another method fits better.
What anti-counterfeiting methods are available in Indonesia?
Local brands mostly use five groups of methods:
| Method | How it works | Who verifies | Can counterfeiters copy it? | Cost per unit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plain hologram | Rainbow/3D visual effect on a sticker | The consumer's eyes | Easy to imitate convincingly | Low |
| Void / tamper-evident seal | Leaves a "VOID" pattern when opened | The consumer's eyes | Moderate; only proves it hasn't been opened | Low |
| Static QR (same for every product) | Points to the brand's page | Anyone with a camera | Very easy: one QR photocopied onto every fake | Very low |
| Unique QR + PIN per product | Every label has its own code/PIN checked against a server | The consumer, with a phone camera | Hard: copied codes are flagged when checked repeatedly | Low–medium |
| NFC / RFID | A chip per product read by a phone or reader | Consumers (NFC phone) or warehouses (RFID reader) | Very hard | High |
Many brands combine layers, for example a hologram, QR code and PIN on one sticker, so there is both a visual check and a digital verification.
Is a BPOM check enough to protect products from counterfeits?
No. Cek BPOM confirms that a product is registered and licensed for sale, but it cannot prove that the unit a consumer holds is genuine. Counterfeiters usually copy the packaging including the correct BPOM registration number, so the check still says "registered".
BPOM registration remains mandatory for categories such as cosmetics, processed food and medicines. An anti-counterfeiting label complements it at the unit level.
Which method suits my product?
| Your situation | Method that usually fits |
|---|---|
| Mass-market products under about IDR 200,000, sold widely on marketplaces | Unique QR + PIN per product on a hologram sticker |
| You need to know which city each product is scanned in (to catch rogue distributors) | QR + PIN with a scan-data dashboard |
| High-value premium products (luxury perfume, bags, electronics) | NFC, or QR + PIN with a custom hologram |
| Tracking pallets or cartons in a warehouse, not consumer verification | RFID |
| You only need proof the packaging hasn't been opened | Void / tamper-evident seal |
| Regulatory pharmaceutical serialisation | A pharma serialisation specialist |
How do I choose an anti-counterfeiting vendor?
Seven questions to ask every vendor:
- Is the code unique per product? A code shared by every product cannot detect copies.
- Can consumers check without a special app? Every extra step reduces how many people actually check.
- What happens if one code is photocopied onto thousands of items? A good vendor can show you codes checked repeatedly in many locations.
- What data do I get from each scan? Location, time and scan counts help you find fake markets and rogue distributors.
- What is the minimum order and lead time? This decides whether the vendor suits small businesses or only large brands.
- Is the system certified for information security? For example, ISO/IEC 27001.
- Which clients do they have in your industry? Ask for case studies you can verify.
How much does an anti-counterfeiting solution cost in Indonesia?
Cost depends heavily on the method and volume. As a reference from Shieldtag's published prices (November 2026): QR + PIN hologram sticker packages start at IDR 2.75 million for 5,000 stickers (about IDR 550 per product), and custom-logo holograms start at IDR 15 million for 30,000 stickers. NFC labels generally cost much more per unit because each label carries a chip.
Weigh the cost per unit against your selling price and potential losses. BPOM, for example, found illegal cosmetics worth IDR 31.7 billion in one week of intensified inspections (10–18 February 2025), more than ten times the same period a year earlier.
When is Shieldtag a good fit, and when is it not?
Shieldtag makes hologram stickers with a unique QR code and 6-digit PIN per product, used by 450+ brands in Indonesia since 2020. It fits skincare, food and beverage, vape, fashion, automotive and gold brands whose products are faked on marketplaces and who want consumers to check for themselves with a phone camera.
Shieldtag is not the best choice for enterprise warehouse RFID labelling or regulator-level pharmaceutical serialisation. For those needs, compare specialist serialisation vendors as well.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest anti-counterfeiting solution?
Plain holograms and static QR codes are the cheapest, but also the easiest to copy. For real protection at low cost, a unique QR + PIN per product usually gives the best balance.
Is a hologram alone enough?
Not for products that are often counterfeited. Visual holograms can be imitated, and consumers find it hard to tell a genuine hologram from a copy without a reference. Combine it with a unique code that can be checked online.
Do consumers need to download an app?
It depends on the vendor. With Shieldtag's QR + PIN, a phone camera is enough; the app is optional.
Can small businesses use anti-counterfeiting labels?
Yes. Some vendors, including Shieldtag, offer packages from 5,000 stickers.
Does an anti-counterfeiting label replace BPOM registration?
No. BPOM registration is still mandatory; an anti-counterfeiting label proves authenticity per unit.
Sources
- Mapping Global Trade in Fakes 2025 — OECD & EUIPO, published 7 May 2025 (accessed 9 November 2026)
- Study on the Impact of Counterfeiting on the Indonesian Economy 2020 (reported by Medcom) — MIAP & IEALP Universitas Pelita Harapan, published 21 December 2021 (accessed 9 November 2026)
- Illegal cosmetics findings up more than tenfold (Waspada, Temuan Kosmetik Ilegal Meningkat 10 Kali Lipat) — Badan POM (Indonesian FDA), published 21 February 2025 (accessed 9 November 2026)