If you're hunting for history, Indonesia's rules are research-only. The Undang-Undang Cagar Budaya (cultural heritage law) doesn't mention metal detectors, but it is blunt about searching. Searching for cultural heritage, or anything you suspect might be heritage, by digging, diving or lifting needs a government permit, and the search may only be done as research. Anything you find that you suspect is heritage has to be reported within 30 days. Searching without a permit can mean up to 10 years in prison. None of the sources we read addresses hunting for modern lost items, like your own keys. Here's what we could confirm.
Can I detect in Indonesia?
The short answer for each kind of land. Tap a card for the detail and the rule’s own words.
- Anywhere: national heritage lawResearch permits onlyChecked against the source Oct 7, 2026
- Beaches & foreshoreResearch permits onlywe found no rule of its own for this land type in the sources readChecked against the source Oct 7, 2026
- Protected monumentsResearch permits onlyChecked against the source Oct 7, 2026
- National parks & conservation areasResearch permits onlywe found no rule of its own for this land type in the sources readChecked against the source Oct 7, 2026
- State forestsResearch permits onlywe found no rule of its own for this land type in the sources readChecked against the source Oct 7, 2026
- Private landResearch permits onlywe found no rule of its own for this land type in the sources readChecked against the source Oct 7, 2026
Open in many areas without a permitPermit, registration, or designated beaches onlyProhibited or effectively closed
The rules, land by land
Anywhere: national heritage law
Research permits onlyIndonesia's cultural heritage law bans searching for cultural heritage, or anything suspected to be heritage, by digging, diving or lifting without a government permit, and allows such searches only as research. It doesn't mention metal detectors, or hunting for modern lost items.
- this covers searching for heritage objects, buildings, structures and sites, and for anything suspected to be heritage, on land or in water (Law 11 of 2010, Pasal 26(2) and (4))
- searches may only be done through research, respecting the rights of whoever owns or controls the location (Pasal 26(3)); under the 2022 regulation, research searches are done with central-government archaeology institutions using archaeological methods (Government Regulation 1 of 2022, Pasal 10(4))
- the permit comes from the regent or mayor outside designated heritage sites, and from the Minister, governor or regent/mayor inside them, depending on the site's rank (PP 1/2022, Pasal 13)
- an object, building or structure can be proposed as cultural heritage if, among other criteria, it is 50 years old or more and has special meaning for history, science, education, religion or culture (Pasal 5)
- searching without the permit carries 3 months to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of 150 million to 1 billion rupiah (Pasal 103)
- the law doesn't mention metal detectors, and no source read addresses detecting for modern lost items such as your own keys or jewelry
- anyone who finds an object, building, structure or site they suspect is cultural heritage must report it within 30 days (Pasal 23)
What the rule says
“Setiap orang dilarang melakukan pencarian Cagar Budaya atau yang diduga Cagar Budaya dengan penggalian, penyelaman, dan/atau pengangkatan di darat dan/atau di air sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (2), kecuali dengan izin Pemerintah atau Pemerintah Daerah sesuai dengan kewenangannya.”
Digging
Research permits onlySearching for cultural heritage, or anything suspected to be heritage, by digging, diving or lifting needs a permit from the central or regional government, and the search may only be done as research. Search without a permit and you face 3 months to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to 1 billion rupiah.
- searches may only be done through research, respecting the rights of whoever owns or controls the location (Pasal 26(3))
- under the 2022 regulation, a research search is done in cooperation with a central-government archaeology research institution and/or archaeology education institution, using archaeological research methods (Government Regulation 1 of 2022, Pasal 10(4))
- on land outside designated heritage sites and areas, the regent or mayor (bupati/wali kota) issues the search permit; inside them, the Minister, governor or regent/mayor, depending on the site's rank (PP 1/2022, Pasal 13)
- in water, the permit comes from the Minister, governor or regent/mayor depending on where you search (sea beyond or within 12 miles, rivers, lakes, reservoirs) (Pasal 14)
- before applying, you need permission from the owner or whoever controls the location (Pasal 15(1))
- searching without the permit carries 3 months to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of 150 million to 1 billion rupiah (Law 11 of 2010, Pasal 103)
What the rule says
“Setiap orang dilarang melakukan pencarian Cagar Budaya atau yang diduga Cagar Budaya dengan penggalian, penyelaman, dan/atau pengangkatan di darat dan/atau di air sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (2), kecuali dengan izin Pemerintah atau Pemerintah Daerah sesuai dengan kewenangannya.”
Keeping finds
Permit requiredReport it first, then the authorities decide. If a find is designated cultural heritage, the finder is entitled to compensation; the State takes control of it if it's very rare, unique in design and scarce in Indonesia, and the finder may own it if it isn't rare or unique and the State already has enough of its kind. Unreported finds can be taken over by the government.
- the finder is entitled to compensation if the find is designated cultural heritage (Pasal 24(1))
- a designated find that is very rare in kind, unique in design and few in number in Indonesia is controlled by the State (Pasal 24(2))
- a find that is not rare, not unique, and whose numbers already meet the State's needs may be owned by the finder (Pasal 24(3))
- a find its finder doesn't report can be taken over by the central or regional government (Pasal 23(2))
- cultural heritage whose owner is unknown is controlled by the State (Pasal 15)
- foreign citizens and companies may not own cultural heritage unless they live in Indonesia, and may not take it out of the country (Pasal 14)
- stealing cultural heritage is prohibited (Pasal 66(2))
- ordinary lost property was not researched
What the rule says
“Apabila temuan yang telah ditetapkan sebagai Cagar Budaya sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) tidak langka jenisnya, tidak unik rancangannya, dan jumlahnya telah memenuhi kebutuhan negara, dapat dimiliki oleh penemu.”
Reporting finds
Must be reportedFound something you suspect is a cultural heritage object, building, structure or site? Report it within 30 days to the authority responsible for culture, the national police and/or a related agency.
- the culture authority then assesses the find (Pasal 23(3))
- a find its finder doesn't report can be taken over by the central or regional government (Pasal 23(2))
- deliberately not reporting carries up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to 500 million rupiah (Pasal 102)
What the rule says
“Setiap orang yang menemukan benda yang diduga Benda Cagar Budaya, bangunan yang diduga Bangunan Cagar Budaya, struktur yang diduga Struktur Cagar Budaya, dan/atau lokasi yang diduga Situs Cagar Budaya wajib melaporkannya kepada instansi yang berwenang di bidang kebudayaan, Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia, dan/atau instansi terkait paling lama 30 (tiga puluh) hari sejak ditemukannya.”
Beaches & foreshore
Research permits onlyBeaches follow the national rule: searching for cultural heritage, or anything suspected to be heritage, by digging, diving or lifting needs a government permit and may only be done as research. We found no beach-specific rule.
- the national search rule applies: searching for cultural heritage, or anything suspected to be heritage, by digging, diving or lifting, on land or in water, needs a permit from the central or regional government and may only be done as research (Law 11 of 2010, Pasal 26(2)-(4))
- we found no rule of its own for this land type in the sources read
- search permits in water come from the Minister (sea beyond 12 miles, and rivers spanning two or more provinces), the governor (sea within 12 miles, and waters spanning two or more regencies) or the regent/mayor (rivers, lakes, reservoirs, wells and swamps in their area) (PP 1/2022, Pasal 14)
- the law doesn't mention metal detectors, and no source read addresses hunting for modern lost items
- anyone who finds an object, building, structure or site they suspect is cultural heritage must report it within 30 days (Pasal 23)
What the rule says
“Setiap orang dilarang melakukan pencarian Cagar Budaya atau yang diduga Cagar Budaya dengan penggalian, penyelaman, dan/atau pengangkatan di darat dan/atau di air sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (2), kecuali dengan izin Pemerintah atau Pemerintah Daerah sesuai dengan kewenangannya.”
Protected monuments
Research permits onlyDesignated cultural heritage sites and areas get extra protection. Searching inside one needs a permit from the Minister, governor or regent/mayor depending on the site's rank, any search must be done as research, and deliberately damaging heritage carries 1 to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to 5 billion rupiah.
- national-rank sites and areas: the Minister; provincial rank: the governor; regency or city rank: the regent or mayor (PP 1/2022, Pasal 13(3))
- searches may only be done through research (Law 11 of 2010, Pasal 26(3))
- damaging cultural heritage is prohibited (Pasal 66(1)); deliberately damaging it carries 1 to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of 500 million to 5 billion rupiah (Pasal 105)
- moving national-, provincial- or regency-ranked cultural heritage needs the permission of the Minister, governor or regent/mayor (Pasal 67(1))
- the law names no detectors; this row reads the permit and research rule as covering any detector hunt inside a designated site, which is a search for heritage there
What the rule says
“Izin pencarian ODCB di dalam Situs Cagar Budaya atau Kawasan Cagar Budaya sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (1) huruf b diberikan oleh: a. Menteri untuk pencarian ODCB di Situs Cagar Budaya atau Kawasan Cagar Budaya peringkat nasional;”
National parks & conservation areas
Research permits onlyNational parks and conservation areas follow the national rule: searching for cultural heritage, or anything suspected to be heritage, by digging, diving or lifting needs a government permit and may only be done as research. We found no park-specific rule.
- the national search rule applies: searching for cultural heritage, or anything suspected to be heritage, by digging, diving or lifting, on land or in water, needs a permit from the central or regional government and may only be done as research (Law 11 of 2010, Pasal 26(2)-(4))
- we found no rule of its own for this land type in the sources read
- conservation-area laws were not read
- the law doesn't mention metal detectors, and no source read addresses hunting for modern lost items
- anyone who finds an object, building, structure or site they suspect is cultural heritage must report it within 30 days (Pasal 23)
What the rule says
“Setiap orang dilarang melakukan pencarian Cagar Budaya atau yang diduga Cagar Budaya dengan penggalian, penyelaman, dan/atau pengangkatan di darat dan/atau di air sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (2), kecuali dengan izin Pemerintah atau Pemerintah Daerah sesuai dengan kewenangannya.”
State forests
Research permits onlyState forests follow the national rule: searching for cultural heritage, or anything suspected to be heritage, by digging, diving or lifting needs a government permit and may only be done as research. We found no forest-specific rule.
- the national search rule applies: searching for cultural heritage, or anything suspected to be heritage, by digging, diving or lifting, on land or in water, needs a permit from the central or regional government and may only be done as research (Law 11 of 2010, Pasal 26(2)-(4))
- we found no rule of its own for this land type in the sources read
- forestry laws were not read
- the law doesn't mention metal detectors, and no source read addresses hunting for modern lost items
- anyone who finds an object, building, structure or site they suspect is cultural heritage must report it within 30 days (Pasal 23)
What the rule says
“Setiap orang dilarang melakukan pencarian Cagar Budaya atau yang diduga Cagar Budaya dengan penggalian, penyelaman, dan/atau pengangkatan di darat dan/atau di air sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (2), kecuali dengan izin Pemerintah atau Pemerintah Daerah sesuai dengan kewenangannya.”
Private land
Research permits onlyPrivate land follows the national rule: searching for cultural heritage, or anything suspected to be heritage, by digging, diving or lifting needs a government permit and may only be done as research, and you need the owner's permission before you apply. We found no other private-land rule.
- the national search rule applies: searching for cultural heritage, or anything suspected to be heritage, by digging, diving or lifting, on land or in water, needs a permit from the central or regional government and may only be done as research (Law 11 of 2010, Pasal 26(2)-(4))
- we found no rule of its own for this land type in the sources read
- before applying for a search permit, you need permission from the owner or whoever controls the location (PP 1/2022, Pasal 15(1))
- the law doesn't mention metal detectors, and no source read addresses hunting for modern lost items
- anyone who finds an object, building, structure or site they suspect is cultural heritage must report it within 30 days (Pasal 23)
What the rule says
“Setiap orang dilarang melakukan pencarian Cagar Budaya atau yang diduga Cagar Budaya dengan penggalian, penyelaman, dan/atau pengangkatan di darat dan/atau di air sebagaimana dimaksud pada ayat (2), kecuali dengan izin Pemerintah atau Pemerintah Daerah sesuai dengan kewenangannya.”
Even where detecting is allowed, archaeological and historic sites are protected, and you must fill every hole and follow posted rules. Always confirm the current rule with the land manager.
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Searching needs a research permit
Law 11 of 2010 bans searching for cultural heritage, or for objects suspected to be heritage, by digging, diving or lifting, on land or in water, without a permit from the central or regional government, and it says such searches may only be done through research. A 2022 government regulation fills in the details: research searches work with central-government archaeology institutions and use archaeological methods; the regent or mayor issues permits for land outside designated heritage sites, and the Minister, governor or regent/mayor for sites by rank; and you need the landowner's permission before you apply. Searching without a permit carries 3 months to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of 150 million to 1 billion rupiah.
Something can be proposed as cultural heritage if, among other things, it is at least 50 years old and has special meaning for history, science, education, religion or culture. The search rule applies on beaches, in forests and parks, and on private land alike; the sources we read give none of them a rule of its own, though we didn't read forestry, conservation-area, coastal or regional rules. The law doesn't mention detectors, and none of the sources we read covers sweeping a beach for modern coins, so we can't call that allowed or banned.
Heritage sites
Inside a designated cultural heritage site or area, a search permit comes from the Minister, the governor or the regent or mayor, depending on the site's rank, and the research-only rule still applies. Deliberately damaging cultural heritage carries 1 to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of 500 million to 5 billion rupiah.
Finds and reporting
Report anything you suspect is a heritage object, building, structure or site within 30 days to the authority responsible for culture, the national police and/or a related agency. Deliberately not reporting can mean up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to 500 million rupiah, and an unreported find can be taken over by the government. If a find is designated cultural heritage, the finder is entitled to compensation; the State takes control of finds that are very rare, unique and scarce in Indonesia, and a find that isn't rare or unique, and of which the State already has enough, may be owned by the finder.
Sources
Official and statutory sources this page is based on (source check: October 7, 2026):
- Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia Nomor 11 Tahun 2010 tentang Cagar Budaya (Law 11 of 2010 on Cultural Heritage), salinan
- JDIH record: Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia No 11 Tahun 2010 tentang Cagar Budaya
- Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 1 Tahun 2022 tentang Register Nasional dan Pelestarian Cagar Budaya (Government Regulation 1 of 2022)
- Database Peraturan BPK: UU No. 11 Tahun 2010 (the agency site blocks automated checks; read it directly)
Once you’ve confirmed where you’re allowed to hunt, LuckyFind helps you make the most of it — track your route on the map, log each find with its location, and revisit your saved hunt records. LuckyFind does not verify land access or grant detecting permission. Free for iPhone and Android.
New to LuckyFind? Follow the first-hunt checklist, then learn how to record a hunt and add finds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is metal detecting legal in Indonesia?
- Not for hunting history. Searching for heritage, or anything suspected to be heritage, by digging, diving or lifting needs a government permit and may only be done as research. The law doesn't mention metal detectors, and the sources we read don't address hunting for modern lost items.
- What happens if I search for heritage without a permit?
- The law sets 3 months to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of 150 million to 1 billion rupiah.
- Do I have to report what I find in Indonesia?
- Yes, if you suspect it's cultural heritage: report it within 30 days to the culture authority, the national police and/or a related agency.
- Can I keep what I find in Indonesia?
- If you suspect it's heritage, only after reporting it. If the find is designated cultural heritage, the finder gets compensation; the State takes very rare, unique and scarce finds, and the finder may own one that isn't rare or unique and of which the State already has enough.
Find more, remember where
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