How to Order Indonesian Batik from Singapore, Malaysia and Abroad
Posted by Mandalas Editorial Team
Buying batik from Indonesia when you live in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney or Amsterdam is straightforward — but three things catch people out every time: sizing, timing, and customs. Get those right and the rest is ordinary online shopping.
A premium long-sleeve batik shirt — the piece most first-time overseas buyers start with.
1. Sizing is the one that goes wrong
This is by far the most common problem, and it is entirely avoidable. Indonesian sizing generally runs one to two sizes smaller than European or American equivalents, and batik shirts are traditionally cut closer to the body than a Western dress shirt.
Do not order by the letter size you usually wear. Instead, measure a shirt you already own and like the fit of — chest, shoulder, sleeve, body length — and compare those four numbers against the size chart. Our fit and size guide explains exactly how to take each measurement.
If you fall between sizes, size up. A shirt can be taken in by any tailor; shoulders cannot be let out.
2. Choose the piece before the pattern
Decide what you actually need first, because it narrows everything:
Formal occasions — a long-sleeve shirt in a classic motif, or a kebaya for women. Long sleeve is the formal register in batik.
Everyday and warm weather — short sleeve, in cotton.
A family event — a coordinated sarimbit set, which is much harder to assemble after the fact.
A gift — see the section below.
If you are unsure which region or motif suits you, our guides to sogan, Pekalongan and batik colours cover the differences.
An embroidered encim kebaya — the Peranakan style, particularly popular in Singapore and Malaysia.
3. Understand customs before you check out
International orders may attract import duty or tax set by the destination country. These are decided by local customs authorities, not by the seller, and they vary by country and by order value.
With Mandalas specifically, this is already settled: we ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid). Any applicable duties and taxes are included in the price you pay at checkout, so your parcel will not be held for payment and the courier will not invoice you on delivery. Full details, including delivery windows and rates by destination, are on our international shipping page.
If you are buying from another seller, ask them directly which basis they ship on — it is the single most common source of unpleasant surprises in cross-border orders.
4. Order earlier than feels necessary
Add up three separate delays: production or dispatch time, international transit, and customs clearance. Any one can stretch.
Then account for season. Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and the end-of-year period compress everything at once — workshops are at capacity and courier networks are saturated. If your batik is for a specific date in one of those windows, order well ahead of when you think you need to.
A matching sarimbit set — the most popular choice for families abroad attending an event together.
Sending batik as a gift
Batik travels well as a gift: light, unbreakable, and carrying genuine cultural meaning. For diaspora families sending home or bringing something back, a premium shirt, a kebaya, or a coordinated set are the usual choices.
When buying for someone else, err toward a classic motif in a neutral colour and a forgiving cut — and remember you can sidestep sizing entirely with an accessory. Our batik gift guide covers choosing by recipient.
Five mistakes to avoid
Ordering by letter size. Measure a shirt instead.
Not checking the duties position. With Mandalas it is DDP and nothing is owed on arrival; with other sellers, confirm before you pay.
Leaving it until the month of the event. Especially around Raya and CNY.
Buying a bold motif for someone else. Classic and neutral is the safer gift.
Ignoring fabric weight. If the event is outdoors in the tropics, cotton beats anything heavier.
A premium cotton batik shirt — breathable, and the safer choice for warm-weather events.
Caring for batik once it arrives
Wash gently in cool water, dry in the shade rather than direct sun, and iron on the reverse. Deep and natural dyes fade fastest in sunlight, which matters more in Singapore or Australia than most people expect. The full routine is in how to wash batik correctly, and for kebaya specifically see caring for your kebaya.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order Indonesian batik to Singapore or Malaysia?
Yes. Both are common destinations and transit from Jakarta is short. See our international shipping page for details.
How do I know what size to order?
Measure a shirt you already own — chest, shoulder, sleeve and body length — and compare against the size chart. Indonesian sizing runs smaller than Western sizing.
Will I pay customs duty on a Mandalas order?
No. Mandalas ships DDP, so duties and taxes are already included in the price you pay at checkout. With other sellers, check whether they ship DDP or DDU before ordering.
How far ahead should I order?
Allow for dispatch, transit and customs, and order well ahead around Raya, Chinese New Year and year-end when everything is slower.
What should I buy as a gift?
A classic motif in a neutral colour, or an accessory if you are unsure of size.
Which fabric suits a hot climate?
Cotton and voile. Avoid heavy brocade for outdoor or daytime events.
In short
Measure before you order, allow more time than you think, and choose cotton if the weather is warm. With Mandalas, duties are already covered.
How to Order Indonesian Batik from Singapore, Malaysia and Abroad
Buying batik from Indonesia when you live in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney or Amsterdam is straightforward — but three things catch people out every time: sizing, timing, and customs. Get those right and the rest is ordinary online shopping.
1. Sizing is the one that goes wrong
This is by far the most common problem, and it is entirely avoidable. Indonesian sizing generally runs one to two sizes smaller than European or American equivalents, and batik shirts are traditionally cut closer to the body than a Western dress shirt.
Do not order by the letter size you usually wear. Instead, measure a shirt you already own and like the fit of — chest, shoulder, sleeve, body length — and compare those four numbers against the size chart. Our fit and size guide explains exactly how to take each measurement.
If you fall between sizes, size up. A shirt can be taken in by any tailor; shoulders cannot be let out.
2. Choose the piece before the pattern
Decide what you actually need first, because it narrows everything:
If you are unsure which region or motif suits you, our guides to sogan, Pekalongan and batik colours cover the differences.
3. Understand customs before you check out
International orders may attract import duty or tax set by the destination country. These are decided by local customs authorities, not by the seller, and they vary by country and by order value.
With Mandalas specifically, this is already settled: we ship DDP (Delivered Duty Paid). Any applicable duties and taxes are included in the price you pay at checkout, so your parcel will not be held for payment and the courier will not invoice you on delivery. Full details, including delivery windows and rates by destination, are on our international shipping page.
If you are buying from another seller, ask them directly which basis they ship on — it is the single most common source of unpleasant surprises in cross-border orders.
4. Order earlier than feels necessary
Add up three separate delays: production or dispatch time, international transit, and customs clearance. Any one can stretch.
Then account for season. Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and the end-of-year period compress everything at once — workshops are at capacity and courier networks are saturated. If your batik is for a specific date in one of those windows, order well ahead of when you think you need to.
Sending batik as a gift
Batik travels well as a gift: light, unbreakable, and carrying genuine cultural meaning. For diaspora families sending home or bringing something back, a premium shirt, a kebaya, or a coordinated set are the usual choices.
When buying for someone else, err toward a classic motif in a neutral colour and a forgiving cut — and remember you can sidestep sizing entirely with an accessory. Our batik gift guide covers choosing by recipient.
Five mistakes to avoid
Caring for batik once it arrives
Wash gently in cool water, dry in the shade rather than direct sun, and iron on the reverse. Deep and natural dyes fade fastest in sunlight, which matters more in Singapore or Australia than most people expect. The full routine is in how to wash batik correctly, and for kebaya specifically see caring for your kebaya.
Frequently asked questions
Can I order Indonesian batik to Singapore or Malaysia?
Yes. Both are common destinations and transit from Jakarta is short. See our international shipping page for details.
How do I know what size to order?
Measure a shirt you already own — chest, shoulder, sleeve and body length — and compare against the size chart. Indonesian sizing runs smaller than Western sizing.
Will I pay customs duty on a Mandalas order?
No. Mandalas ships DDP, so duties and taxes are already included in the price you pay at checkout. With other sellers, check whether they ship DDP or DDU before ordering.
How far ahead should I order?
Allow for dispatch, transit and customs, and order well ahead around Raya, Chinese New Year and year-end when everything is slower.
What should I buy as a gift?
A classic motif in a neutral colour, or an accessory if you are unsure of size.
Which fabric suits a hot climate?
Cotton and voile. Avoid heavy brocade for outdoor or daytime events.
In short
Measure before you order, allow more time than you think, and choose cotton if the weather is warm. With Mandalas, duties are already covered.
See international shipping, or browse men's batik and women's batik and kebaya.