Indonesia Recents Regulations on Import 2026, The Indonesian government has introduced a major overhaul of import regulations, combining a broad restructuring of trade policy with targeted restrictions on specific goods, moves aimed at balancing trade liberalization with protection for local industries.
In mid-2025, the Ministry of Trade released a package of nine new Minister of Trade Regulations (Permendag) that fundamentally redefine how imports are governed. At the center of these changes is Permendag Nomor 16 Tahun 2025 tentang Kebijakan dan Pengaturan Impor, which sets out updated criteria for import licensing, categorization of goods, and coordination mechanisms across ministries.
This regulation replaces earlier rules and aims to simplify procedures that had been criticized for complexity and inconsistency. The eight complementary regulations in the package address detailed requirements and technical provisions for various sectors, ranging from food and agricultural inputs to industrial and consumer products. These regulations replace earlier rules and adopt a commodity-cluster approach to make import controls clearer and more flexible.
1. Permendag No. 16/2025 – Import Policy and Regulation (General Framework)
This is the umbrella regulation governing Indonesia’s overall import policy. It sets out general principles, licensing mechanisms, and coordination between ministries.
2. Permendag No. 17/2025 – Imports of Textiles and Textile Products
Regulates the import of fabrics, garments, and other textile products, including licensing and technical requirements.
3. Permendag No. 18/2025 – Imports of Agricultural and Livestock Products
Covers agricultural commodities, animals, and livestock products, focusing on food security and domestic production protection.
4. Permendag No. 19/2025 – Imports of Salt and Fishery Products
Specifically governs imports of salt, fish, and other marine-based commodities.
5. Permendag No. 20/2025 – Imports of Chemicals, Hazardous Materials, and
Mining Products
Regulates imports of chemical substances, hazardous materials, and certain mining-related goods due to safety and environmental concerns.
6. Permendag No. 21/2025 – Imports of Electronics and Telematics Products
Applies to electronic goods, telecommunications equipment, and related devices.
7. Permendag No. 22/2025 – Imports of Certain Industrial Goods
Covers selected industrial products such as steel, ceramics, tires, and downstream plastic products.
8. Permendag No. 23/2025 – Imports of Consumer Goods
Regulates consumer products, including food and beverages, cosmetics, traditional medicines, footwear, toys, and similar goods.
9. Permendag No. 24/2025 – Imports of Used Goods and Non-Hazardous Waste
Governs the import of second-hand goods and non-hazardous waste that can still be reused or processed.
Alongside the broader regulatory restructuring, the government also enacted a ban on imports of 12 specific commodities, effective 1 January 2026. According to the regulation, the ban targets both pangan (foodstuffs) and non-pangan (non-food items) that meet certain criteria, such as:
- Rice
- Sugar
- Used clothing (second-hand apparel)
- Used bags 5. Used sacks
- Goods containing ozone-depleting substances
- Goods containing mercury
- Fire-extinguishing systems with cooling technology
- Other goods using cooling systems (non-firefighting)
- Electronics equipped with cooling systems
- Certain hazardous waste
- Finished hand tools
Economists and industry observers note that while the broad regulatory changes could improve clarity and efficiency, the import bans carry risks if domestic supply capacity is insufficient. In sectors like staple foods, shortages or price volatility could emerge if production and distribution systems are not aligned with the restricted import flows.
Together, the nine-regulation package and the 12 commodity import ban signal a strategic shift in Indonesia’s trade policy combining deregulation with selective protectionism in an effort to foster a more competitive domestic economy.