Heaptalk, Jakarta — The iPhone 16 is still banned from sale in Indonesia. On Friday (11/08), Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that the government is awaiting Apple’s compliance with the domestic component level (TKDN) requirements for the iPhone 16.
Therefore, the government do not confirm yet when for the product can enter the country. “Regarding the iPhone, we’ll be looking at the TKDN,” he said.
He explained that the government will continue encouraging Apple to meet the required TKDN standards to grant distribution approval for the iPhone 16. “Certainly, we will push for it, and the team will be adjusted as changes are made,” he added.
Previously, Febri Hendri Antoni Arif, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, said that they are closely monitoring the issue of this smartphone distribution. The Ministry of Industry has not issued a domestic component-level certificate for Apple’s latest phone. Febri explained that iPhone 16 devices brought into Indonesia by passengers, crew, or through the mail for personal use and not for resale are allowed entry. Thus, any iPhones brought into the country are limited to the passengers’ personal use.
“Adding to the previous statement by the Minister of Industry, the iPhone 16 series brought into Indonesia by passengers with paid taxes is considered baggage and is limited to personal use only,” Febri clarified.
Febri further stated that, in principle, iPhone 16 falls under the postal and telecommunications goods category, which are allowed entry into Indonesia through the Directorate General of Customs and Excise under Article 35 of Government Regulation No. 46 of 2021 on Post, Telecommunications and Broadcasting.
However, the number of units allowed is capped at two per passenger. The regulation also specifies that personal items or items sent by mail for self-use, not for trade or commercial purposes, are exempt from technical standard obligations, including the 35% domestic component level requirement. “In line with the Minister’s previous statement, iPhone 16 devices imported by registered importers cannot yet be marketed domestically, as PT Apple Indonesia has not fulfilled its investment commitments to obtain TKDN certification under the innovation scheme,” Febri concluded.
