PELNI Sets 40-Kilogram Free Baggage Limit on Passenger Ships

Labuan Bajo — Passengers travelling on PELNI-operated ships are entitled to up to 40 kilograms of free baggage per ticketed passenger, with maximum dimensions of 70 × 40 × 35 centimetres, according to the company’s published baggage rules and frequently asked questions.

The allowance applies to baggage carried by a passenger holding a valid ticket on board a PELNI passenger vessel, and is defined in the company’s baggage provisions and ticket conditions rather than airline-style baggage rules. According to PELNI, this free baggage must be labelled and handled through the embarkation process.

PELNI’s FAQ explains that baggage exceeding the free allowance is subject to an over-baggage tariff applied under the company’s terms and conditions, calculated at the departure point for the specific route and ship. The FAQ states that any excess will be charged as over baggage but does not quote a single nationwide price.

What counts as free baggage

Under PELNI’s official baggage provisions, free baggage is defined as items a passenger can carry and lift as hand-carried baggage during embarkation and disembarkation.

The provisions specify that this baggage must be carried by hand, not dragged or carried on the shoulder during the boarding process.

The published specifications for free baggage are:

• Weight: up to 40 kilograms (0.04 tonnes).
• Volume: up to 0.1 cubic metre.
• Maximum dimensions: 0.70 metre × 0.40 metre × 0.35 metre.

Examples of permitted baggage in PELNI’s rules include clothing suitcases, travelling bags, handbags, other small carryable bags, portable electronic equipment, and daily necessities needed during the voyage, provided the items comply with the weight and size limits.

PELNI also lists one folding bicycle or children’s bicycle, wheelchairs and baby strollers as baggage that may be carried without cargo handling when they fit within the applicable weight and dimension limits for passenger baggage.

The dimensional limits are stated as maximum measurements for a single piece of baggage.

PELNI’s baggage provisions describe categories by weight, volume and size, and the final determination of whether an item qualifies as free baggage or over baggage is made by staff during check-in and embarkation.

At the departure terminal, baggage may be screened using security equipment, and staff verify tickets and baggage specifications.

Items can be weighed and measured before a baggage label is issued for loading on board.

When baggage exceeds the free allowance

PELNI’s rules distinguish between free baggage and over baggage.

Over baggage is defined as baggage that exceeds the free-baggage limits but is still permitted to be transported as passenger baggage, subject to an additional charge.

According to PELNI’s written conditions, over baggage is charged per kilogram, based on an internal company tariff, with staff issuing an over-baggage ticket after weighing or measuring the items.

The company explains that payment for over baggage can be made in cash or via the available payment system used by departure-control staff.

However, the general baggage rules and FAQ do not provide a public national rate table; local offices publish route-specific tariffs.

For example, information published by PELNI’s Makassar office and reported by Indonesian media indicates that over-baggage tariffs from Makassar range from about Rp 2,000 to Rp 15,000 per kilogram depending on the destination and vessel, illustrating how charges vary by route.

PELNI’s baggage provisions set an upper limit for over baggage; if an item exceeds both the permitted weight and volume for over baggage and cannot be separated because it is packed as a single suitcase or package, it is treated as cargo rather than passenger baggage.

Such items are classified as ordinary cargo and placed in the ship’s hold.

Passengers planning to travel with large, indivisible items are advised in PELNI and partner logistics information to arrange cargo services in advance.

PELNI and its logistics platforms, including services such as Redpack and MyCargoo, provide cargo handling for heavier or bulkier consignments that exceed passenger-baggage limits, normally using separate booking and labelling procedures from passenger check-in.

Items not accepted as passenger baggage

PELNI’s baggage rules include a detailed list of items that are not permitted as passenger baggage.

The list covers household removal goods such as furniture, beds, mattresses, cupboards, refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, sewing machines, televisions and loudspeakers.

Motor vehicles, adult bicycles, animals and poultry are also excluded from carriage as passenger baggage.

The rules further prohibit explosives, fireworks, firearms, ammunition, sharp weapons, narcotics, certain chemicals and fuel products.

Items that are flammable, have a strong or offensive smell, may attract insects, or are considered likely to compromise passenger comfort or safety are likewise barred.

PELNI’s documentation notes that goods banned under applicable quarantine or port regulations, including certain plants, cannot be carried as passenger baggage.

Practical points for travellers from Labuan Bajo

For travellers departing from Labuan Bajo, PELNI’s national rules on free baggage and over baggage apply to tickets issued for its passenger ships serving the port.

The typical sequence is to arrive with a valid ticket, present baggage for inspection and labelling, and allow staff to determine whether it qualifies as free baggage or requires an over-baggage ticket or cargo handling.

Passengers with questions about how the rules apply to particular routes or items, including oversized or indivisible packages, are directed in PELNI’s published materials to contact the PELNI call centre on 021-162 or consult PELNI’s official website and logistics platforms.

Sources

• PELNI – Ketentuan Bagasi
• InfoPublik – PELNI Berikan Free Bagasi Penumpang Kapal hingga 40 Kg
• Bisnis.com – Aturan dan Tarif Bagasi Kapal Pelni di Pelabuhan Makassar
• Kumparan Travel – Ketentuan Bagasi Penumpang Kapal Pelni
• Scribd – Syarat dan Ketentuan Tiket Pelni
• InfoPublik / Cekcargo – MyCargoo and Redpack logistics services