Strengthening Export Controls for National Interests, Ministry of Trade Issues Trade Ministerial Regulation Number 12/2026

KOMPAS.com – The Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) has officially issued a new regulation granting the government broader authority to suspend, freeze, or revoke exporters’ business permits. This policy is enshrined in Trade Ministerial Regulation (Permendag) Number 12 of 2026 concerning the Fifth Amendment to Permendag Number 23 of 2023 on Export Policy and Regulation. The regulation takes effect from 29 April 2026. Trade Minister Budi Santoso stated that the new regulation was issued to strengthen export controls to safeguard national interests and fulfil domestic needs. “This amendment strengthens the government’s control to act swiftly in protecting national interests, public interests, the smooth running of government programmes, and the implementation of presidential directives. We want to ensure that export activities continue to align with meeting domestic needs,” Budi said, as quoted from the kemendag.go.id website on Tuesday (5/5/2026). Previously, the export provisions in Permendag Number 23 of 2023, last amended by Permendag Number 5 of 2026, only regulated administrative sanctions for non-compliant exporters. Not only the Trade Minister, but now proposals for suspension or freezing of permits can also be submitted by related ministries or agencies. These proposals will then be discussed through coordination meetings under the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs or the Coordinating Ministry for Food, according to their respective authorities. “This is a manifestation of strengthening synergy between agencies in decision-making related to export policies,” Budi said. The results of the coordination meeting will then be formalised through a letter from the Director General (Dirjen) of Foreign Trade (Daglu) on behalf of the Trade Minister, delivered electronically via the INATRADE system and forwarded to the Indonesia National Single Window (SINSW) system. Dirjen Daglu of Kemendag, Tommy Andana, explained that the new regulation is designed to be flexible, following economic dynamics and national needs. “The policies on suspension, freezing, and revocation are dynamic. We have also regulated the mechanisms for reactivating frozen permits or cancelling suspensions,” Tommy said. To maintain the smooth flow of goods, the government has established transitional provisions. Goods that have obtained the registration number and date of the Export Customs Notification (PEB) before the suspension or freezing decision is issued can still be processed for export by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC). Tommy added that the preparation of the regulation involved cross-ministerial and agency coordination, including input from business actors.