Batam is more than just a quick ferry ride from Singapore — it’s a shopping destination where your dollar stretches further. Whether you’re after local snacks to bring home or unique souvenirs you won’t find elsewhere, knowing what to buy in Batam before you go saves you time and helps you skip the tourist traps.
From layer cakes and sambal to batik and affordable perfumes, Batam’s malls and markets are packed with items worth stuffing into your luggage. The trick is knowing what’s actually worth buying versus what’s just cleverly marketed to visitors. Some of the best finds aren’t even in the big shopping centres they’re tucked away in local shops near the ferry terminals.
At Batam Ferry Tickets, we help thousands of travellers book their Singapore to Batam ferry every month, so we hear firsthand what people love bringing back. Below, we’ve rounded up the 10 best things to buy in Batam, with tips on where to find them and what to expect price-wise.
1. Batik Shirts, Dresses, and Fabric
Batam is one of the easiest places to pick up quality batik without paying Singapore retail prices. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or hunting for gifts, batik clothing and fabric ranks among the top answers when people ask what to buy in Batam.
Why it’s a best buy
Indonesia’s batik tradition holds UNESCO recognition, and buying pieces in Batam means you pay a fraction of what you’d spend elsewhere. Shirts, dresses, and sarongs come in a wide range of patterns from traditional Javanese motifs to more casual modern prints that work for everyday wear. It’s a practical purchase that carries real cultural significance, not just novelty. Batik shirts are widely accepted as smart casual attire across Southeast Asia, so you’ll genuinely wear what you bring home.
Where to buy it
Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall is the main destination for batik in Batam. The lower floors have dedicated batik stores selling ready to wear pieces alongside fabric sold by the metre for those who plan to get items tailored. Local markets near the ferry terminals also carry batik at competitive prices if you’re willing to browse.
How to pick good ones
Look for hand stamped or hand drawn batik rather than machine printed imitations. Authentic batik has slightly irregular patterns and a waxy feel to the fabric. Hold a piece up to the light and check that the dye has penetrated both sides evenly a reliable sign of quality.
Typical price and limits
Ready to wear batik shirts typically run between IDR 80,000 and IDR 250,000, roughly SGD 8 to SGD 25. Fabric by the metre costs less. There are no import restrictions on clothing, so you can buy as many pieces as your luggage allows.
2. Perfumes and Fragrances
Batam has a thriving perfume market that most first-time visitors completely overlook. From internationally recognised brands to locally produced Indonesian fragrances, the price difference compared to Singapore is significant enough to make a dedicated stop worthwhile on any shopping trip.
Why it’s a best buy
Perfumes and fragrances in Batam are sold at prices that routinely run 30 to 50 percent cheaper than Singapore retail. This applies to both internationally distributed brands available through authorised retailers and locally made Indonesian fragrances inspired by traditional ingredients like oud, sandalwood, and pandan. For frequent fragrance buyers, a single Batam trip can cover months of supply at a fraction of what you’d spend at home.
Indonesian made fragrances also offer something genuinely different scent profiles built around regional botanicals that you won’t find in most Singapore stores.
Where to buy it
Nagoya Hill’s lower floors have dedicated perfume and beauty shops carrying a mix of imported and local fragrance brands. For Indonesian artisan and oud based fragrances, smaller specialty shops along the streets around Nagoya Hill are your best starting point.
How to pick good ones
- Test on your skin rather than a card, fragrance settles differently on each person
- For local Indonesian fragrances, ask the seller about the key notes and longevity before committing
- Avoid open or pre-sprayed bottles with no original seal
Typical price and limits
Locally produced Indonesian fragrances typically run between IDR 80,000 and IDR 250,000, roughly SGD 8 to SGD 25. Imported brand fragrances vary widely depending on size and label. Singapore customs allows personal quantities of perfume for non commercial import, declare at customs if carrying large quantities.
3. Kue Lapis Batam
Kue lapis is one of those items that consistently tops the list of what to buy in Batam when you ask locals for recommendations. These intricately layered spiced cakes are baked one thin layer at a time, producing a dense, rich slice that looks as impressive as it tastes.
Why it’s a best buy
Kue lapis travels well, which makes it a practical gift option. Unlike many fresh food souvenirs, it holds up for several days at room temperature and longer if refrigerated. Flavors range from classic cinnamon and cloves to pandan, prune, and chocolate, so you can easily find something for everyone on your list.
Kue lapis makes an especially good gift for people who don’t travel, since it gives them a genuine taste of Batam without any cooking required.
Where to buy it
Nagoya Hill and Batam City Square both have dedicated kek lapis shops with a wide selection. Cake stalls near the Batam Centre ferry terminal are also convenient if you want to pick some up on your way back to Singapore.
How to pick good ones
When choosing, look for:
- Clean, distinct layers visible on any cut display piece
- A firm, non greasy surface with no separating layers
- Packaging that’s sealed properly with a visible production date
Typical price and limits
Whole cakes typically cost between IDR 100,000 and IDR 350,000, roughly SGD 10 to SGD 35 depending on size and flavor. You can carry them in hand luggage with no specific import restrictions when returning to Singapore.
4. Keropok and Indonesian Snack
Keropok are Indonesian crackers made from fish, shrimp, or tapioca, and they’re one of the most popular snacks travelers bring back from Batam. If you’re figuring out what to buy in Batam for friends and family, a few bags of keropok and assorted Indonesian snack packs are a smart, affordable choice that fits easily into any bag.
Why it’s a best buy
Indonesian snack packs offer exceptional variety and value in a lightweight package. You get access to flavors unavailable in Singapore supermarkets, from prawn-heavy keropok ikan to sweet-spicy rice crackers and cassava chips. Because these snacks are dry and packaged, they hold up well in transit and stay fresh for weeks after you return.
A single trip to one snack shop can fill a whole bag for under SGD 20, making keropok one of the most cost-effective options for group gifting.
Where to buy it
Nagoya Hill and the surrounding street-level shops carry dedicated Indonesian snack sections. Local wet markets and convenience stores near the ferry terminals also stock a solid selection at lower prices than tourist-facing stalls.
How to pick good ones
Choose packs with clear, sealed packaging and a printed expiry date you can read without squinting. Avoid bags that look slightly puffed or show any signs of moisture inside, as both indicate compromised freshness.
Typical price and limits
Small snack packs run between IDR 10,000 and IDR 50,000 each, roughly SGD 1 to SGD 5. Singapore customs allows personal quantities of packaged snacks for non-commercial import with no specific weight cap.
5. Batam Handicrafts and Local Souvenirs
Batam has its own craft tradition rooted in Malay and Riau culture, and the locally made handicrafts you’ll find here are distinctly different from generic tourist souvenirs sold across Indonesia. These pieces carry a sense of place that mass-produced items simply don’t.
Why it’s a best buy
Riau Malay weaving, wood carving, and traditional textile work are all represented in Batam’s souvenir market, and prices are genuinely low. Hand woven songket fabric a traditional Riau Malay textile threaded with gold or silver is one of the most distinctive purchases you can make in Batam and is difficult to source in Singapore.
Carved wooden items featuring traditional Malay motifs and hand painted Riau style ceramics are also worth looking for. These are items with a real connection to the local culture rather than generic crafts repackaged for tourists.
Where to buy it
Kampung Oleh-Oleh is one of the best souvenir cum handicrafts shops in Batam. Located in downtown Nagoya, the shop primarily deals in local handicrafts and souvenirs like key chains, wallets, mini bags, sarongs, assorted local Indonesian desserts and sweets and local handwoven items.
How to pick good ones
- Look for hand-finished edges on woven textiles rather than machine
- Ask the seller where the item was made, locally produced pieces are worth more than imported generic crafts
- Songket fabric should feel slightly stiff and heavy due to the metallic threading
- Carved wooden pieces should feel solid with clean, deliberate cuts rather than rough or uneven surfaces
Typical price and limits
Songket fabric pieces typically cost between IDR 150,000 and IDR 500,000, roughly SGD 15 to SGD 50 depending on size and detail. Smaller carved and decorative items run from IDR 20,000 to IDR 150,000, roughly SGD 2 to SGD 15. No import restrictions apply to standard handicraft items when returning to Singapore.
6. Sambal and Spice Mixes
Sambal jars and spice pastes are among the most practical answers to what to buy in Batam if you cook at home regularly. Indonesia produces dozens of regional chili and spice preparations, and Batam’s grocery stores stock a far wider range than anything you’ll find on a Singapore supermarket shelf.
Why it’s a best buy
Indonesian spices are pre-measured and seasoned for specific dishes like rendang, soto, and gulai, meaning you get consistent, restaurant quality results at home without sourcing individual spices separately. These pastes remove most of the guesswork from Indonesian cooking, so even a first-timer can produce something that tastes like a local warung.
Shelf stable spaces pastes that last up to 12 months make them one of the most useful long term pantry purchases you can bring home from Batam.
Where to buy it
Hypermart and Giant at Nagoya Hill carry the largest selection of sambal and spices products at grocery pricing. You’ll also find dedicated dry goods sections in Batam City Square’s supermarket, including regional varieties that smaller shops rarely stock.
How to pick good ones
Check the ingredient list for minimal preservatives and recognizable spice names rather than long additive codes. Pick jars where the seal is intact and the lid shows no bulging, both signs of proper storage and freshness since production.
Typical price and limits
Bumbu sachets cost between IDR 5,000 and IDR 20,000 each, roughly SGD 0.50 to SGD 2. Sambal jars run slightly higher at IDR 30,000 to IDR 80,000. Singapore customs permits reasonable personal quantities of commercially packaged condiments and spice pastes for non-commercial import.
7. Indonesian Coffee and Kopi Luwak
Indonesian coffee is one of the most underrated answers to what to buy in Batam, and it’s something you’ll genuinely use long after your trip ends. Batam’s shops carry single origin beans and ground coffee blends sourced from Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi, all at prices well below what specialty coffee shops charge in Singapore.
Why it’s a best buy
Indonesian coffee carries a distinct, full bodied flavor profile that sets it apart from most coffee you’ll find at home. Sumatran Mandheling, for example, delivers an earthy, low acid cup that coffee drinkers consistently rate highly. For something more unusual, Kopi Luwak (civet coffee) is produced in Indonesia and sold across Batam at a fraction of its export price, making it a memorable splurge or gift for a coffee-loving friend.
Kopi Luwak is one of the most talked about coffees in the world, and buying it directly from Indonesian sources cuts out significant markup compared to specialty retailers abroad.
Where to buy it
Nagoya Hill’s supermarket floors and dedicated gift shops near the Batam Centre terminal stock a solid range of packaged Indonesian coffees, including vacuum-sealed Kopi Luwak tins. Local souvenir stores in the terminal area also carry small sampler packs that work well as compact gifts.
How to pick good ones
Choose coffee with a clearly printed roast date rather than just an expiry date, and look for vacuum-sealed packaging to protect freshness during transit.
- Whole beans stay fresher longer than pre-ground options
- Branded Kopi Luwak with certifiable sourcing information is a more reliable purchase than loose, unlabeled product
Typical price and limits
Ground Sumatran coffee costs between IDR 30,000 and IDR 80,000 per 200g pack, roughly SGD 3 to SGD 8. Kopi Luwak tins run higher at IDR 150,000 to IDR 400,000. Singapore customs allows reasonable personal quantities of commercially packaged coffee with no specific weight restriction.
8. Spa Oils, Scrubs, and Aromatherapy Items
Batam has a well-earned reputation for affordable spa treatments, and the spa products sold in its shops reflect that same value. If you’re thinking about what to buy in Batam that’s genuinely useful rather than decorative, spa oils, body scrubs, and aromatherapy items let you bring the Batam spa experience home at a fraction of what you’d pay in Singapore.
Why it’s a best buy
Indonesian spa culture draws on centuries of traditional herbal and botanical ingredients, including virgin coconut oil, lemongrass, pandan, and clove. Products made from these ingredients are far cheaper in Batam than in Singapore, and the quality holds up well. Body scrubs using local coffee grounds or volcanic ash are particularly popular and make excellent gifts for friends who appreciate wellness products.
Bringing home spa products costs a fraction of a single spa session in Singapore, yet the core ingredients are largely the same.
Where to buy it
Nagoya Hill’s cosmetics and wellness stores carry a wide range of Indonesian spa brands. You’ll also find smaller artisan options at souvenir shops near the Batam Centre ferry terminal, where locally blended oils and scrubs come packaged specifically for traveling.
How to pick good ones
Look for products with ingredient lists you can verify, such as coconut oil, shea butter, or essential oils listed near the top. Skip anything with a strong synthetic chemical smell or poorly sealed packaging showing signs of leakage.
Typical price and limits
Body scrubs typically cost IDR 40,000 to IDR 120,000, roughly SGD 4 to SGD 12. Aromatherapy oils run between IDR 30,000 and IDR 100,000. Singapore customs allows personal quantities of commercially packaged cosmetic products with no specific weight cap.
9. Skincare and Beauty Essentials
Indonesian and Korean beauty brands available in Batam carry significantly lower price tags than their equivalents in Singapore, making skincare one of the most practical answers to what to buy in Batam for daily use. You get access to a wider product range, and the savings add up quickly when you’re buying multiple items.
Why it’s a best buy
Batam’s beauty stores stock popular Indonesian brands like Wardah, Emina, and Mustika Ratu alongside imported Korean skincare lines at prices that routinely run 30 to 50 percent cheaper than Singapore retail. These are not imitation products; they’re the same commercially produced formulations sold in Indonesian pharmacies and beauty chains, just at local pricing.
Stocking up on sunscreen, toners, and moisturizers in Batam can cut your regular skincare spend considerably over the course of a year.
Where to buy it
Guardian and Watson’s branches inside Nagoya Hill carry a strong mix of local and imported skincare products. For a wider selection of Indonesian brands, dedicated beauty counters on the lower floors of Batam City Square typically offer more variety at even lower prices.
How to pick good ones
Check the expiry date and batch code printed on the base of each product before purchasing, and verify that packaging shows no signs of tampering or damage. Stick with products that list active ingredients clearly on the label rather than vague marketing claims.
Typical price and limits
Indonesian skincare products typically cost IDR 30,000 to IDR 150,000, roughly SGD 3 to SGD 15. Singapore allows reasonable personal quantities of commercially packaged cosmetics with no specific import cap.
10. Leather Goods : Wallets, Belts, and Bags
Leather goods sit at the top of what to buy in Batam for shoppers who want something that holds its value long after the trip. Batam’s leather market is genuinely competitive, with local craftsmen and factory-outlet stores offering quality pieces at prices that undercut Singapore retail by a wide margin.
Why it’s a best buy
Batam sits close to several Indonesian leather production centers, which means you get shorter supply chains and lower markups than you’d find in Singapore. Wallets, belts, and bags here are sold at prices that reflect the actual cost of materials and local labor rather than brand premiums. A well-made leather wallet that would cost SGD 80 in Singapore often runs under SGD 25 in Batam.
Leather goods are one of the few product categories where the quality-to-price ratio in Batam consistently surprises first-time buyers.
Where to buy it
Nagoya Hill’s lower floors and the dedicated leather shops along Jalan Imam Bonjol carry the widest selection of wallets, belts, and bags. Factory outlet stores near Batam City Square are also worth visiting for larger bags and luggage accessories.
How to pick good ones
Run your hand across the surface and check for consistent grain texture and no peeling at the edges, both reliable signs of genuine leather rather than bonded alternatives. Stitching should be tight and evenly spaced with no loose threads.
Typical price and limits
Leather wallets typically cost IDR 80,000 to IDR 200,000, roughly SGD 8 to SGD 20. Bags range from IDR 200,000 upward depending on size. Singapore customs allows personal quantities of leather goods with no specific import restriction.
Quick Wrap-Up
Batam rewards visitors who do a little planning before they leave Singapore. Knowing what to buy in Batam ahead of time means you spend less time wandering and more time filling your bag with things you’ll actually use whether that’s a jar of sambal, a piece of hand woven songket, a batik shirt, or a quality leather wallet at a fraction of the Singapore retail price.
Every item on this list is available without any complicated logistics. You just need a clear idea of what you want, where to find it, and enough time in Batam to enjoy the hunt.
Your trip starts with a smooth crossing, so sort your ferry ticket before you think about the shopping list. Booking your ferry tickets at Batam Ferry Tickets takes under five minutes — select your route, choose your departure time, fill in your passenger details, and pay securely via PayNow or credit card. Your e-ticket lands in your inbox right away with no waiting or counter queuing required.
👉 Book your Singapore to Batam ferry tickets here and use promo code VTLTRAVEL for 5% off your 2 ways return tickets. (First 50 customers per day — book early to lock in the rate.)
