Bahlil: Coal Export Duty Will Not Apply on 1 April

Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the coal export duty regulation will not be implemented on 1 April 2026. Bahlil made the statement after attending a meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs. The meeting was also attended by Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, the Minister of Investment and Downstreaming of Indonesia, and State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi.

Bahlil explained that the government has decided to take a cautious approach in increasing export taxes. “Up to now, up to 1 April, there will be no imposition of that (export duty) because the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources together with the Finance Minister will discuss the technical aspects,” said Bahlil when met after the meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs office, Friday, 27 March 2026.

According to Bahlil, not all exported coal has high calorific value. He mentioned that high-calorific coal accounts for only about 10% of total production. High-calorific coal is currently priced at around US$140 - US$145. Meanwhile, Bahlil said, the portion of low-calorific coal reaches 60-70% of total production.

The General Chairman of the Golkar Party also stated that the implementation of the coal export duty policy is still awaiting cross-ministerial technical studies. “So we must not make the wrong policy. But I agree with the Finance Ministry that it is important to find good sources of state revenue in order to face global pressures that are increasingly unpredictable,” said Bahlil.

Previously, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the export duty regulation might apply on 1 April 2026. He emphasised that he could not yet disclose the exact amount of the export duty tariff as the technical aspects are still in the finalisation stage.

“The figure (export duty) has been decided by the President, but the meeting can discuss it first before we issue what it will be like later. (Coal) will clearly be subject to export duty in accordance with the President’s directive,” said Purbaya in Jakarta, Wednesday, 25 March 2026, quoted from Antara.