Government Prepares to Impose Export Duty on NPI Nickel

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has disclosed that the government is examining plans to implement an export duty (BK) on processed nickel products, particularly Nickel Pig Iron (NPI). According to Bahlil, this measure is part of the government’s efforts to increase state revenues in the face of current global uncertainties. “In a situation like this for the country, we must seek various alternative sources of income. One of them is by pushing for the imposition of export taxes on downstream processing results,” Bahlil said when met at the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy on Friday (27/3/2026). Bahlil explained that his ministry is currently conducting calculations and studies regarding the appropriate formulation for applying the export duty on NPI products, including the scheme and tariff rates. “We are calculating the NPI nickel product. We are still calculating it. Once again, I am calculating the formulation for imposing the tax on NPI,” Bahlil stated. Previously, Bahlil revealed specific instructions from President Prabowo Subianto, particularly to enhance state revenues from the natural resources sector, especially minerals. According to Bahlil, Prabowo emphasised that national interests should be the top priority in managing natural resources, which are strategic national assets. “The President has instructed me to pay attention to the country’s interests, with priorities above all else. And we must safeguard our natural resources; these natural resources are national assets,” Bahlil said after a limited meeting with the President in Hambalang, Bogor, on Wednesday (25/3/2026). In that context, the Ministry of ESDM has been asked to find new sources of revenue that have previously been deemed not to contribute optimally. One of the steps under consideration is adjusting the Mineral Reference Price (HPM) for nickel commodities, which could potentially increase. “It is very likely that I will raise the HPM for nickel,” Bahlil added.