Summary of Indonesia Import Trade Restrictions (Decree 56/2008)
Trade Decree 56, signed on 24 December 2008, supersedes Decree 44.
Trade Decree 56 is similar to Decree 44 in terms of the introduction of new import procedures for five broad categories of products, namely:
* Electronics
* Ready-to-wear clothes
* Children’s toys
* Footwear
* Food and beverage products<
The import procedures under Decree 56, like Decree 44 are as follows:
* A pre-shipment inspection/ survey of consignments at the port of departure is required
* Importers of affected goods are required to be specially registered as an “Approved Importer of Certain Products”
* A limitation has been made on the ports of entry of the goods
* Quarterly reports need to be submitted by the importer to the Indonesian Ministry of Trade.
The key differences between Decree 56 and Decree 44 are as follows:
1. Under Article 3, the “Approved Importer” status is now valid for the period that the Decree is in effect.
2. Under Article 7/Point (2a), the “Appointed Surveyors” that may execute the pre-shipment inspection/survey must now have a specific business license to conduct this survey.
3. Under Article 11, the provisions in the regulation do not apply to the import of products even if they fall within the affected product categories if the products are:
- a. in the form of gifts and/or luggage valued at a maximum FOB US$1,500.00 per person, by aircraft
b. used for upstream activities of petroleum and natural gas, geothermal and mineral as well as other energy sectors;
c. used as capital goods and/or raw materials;
d. imported provisionally;
e. processed in, and released from, bonded zones to other Indonesian customs areas.
Trade Decree 56/2008 takes effect on 1 January 2009 and expires on 31 December 2010.
Amendment to Decree 56/2008
In addition, Decree 60/2008, an amendment to Decree 56/2008, was also signed on 24 December 2008.
Under Article 5/Point (1a) of Decree 60/2008, the Dumai sea port in Dumai is listed as an additional approved port, but only for food and beverage products.
Trade Advisory to Singapore Exporters
To avoid disruption of exports to Indonesia, Singapore exporters are advised to consult their Indonesian importers over the new procedures and requirements stipulated by Trade Decree 56/2008.
Please note that Singapore exporters with their own Indonesian subsidiaries as importers must also adhere to the stipulations in Trade Decree 56/2008.
Singapore companies that are handling the imports themselves are advised to contact the Indonesian Ministry of Trade to apply for the “Approved Importer” status.
Relevant contact:
Departemen Perdagangan Republik Indonesia (Ministry of Trade)
Direktorat Jenderal Perdagangan Luar Negeri (Directorate General of International Trade)
Address: Jl. M. I. Ridwan Rais No. 5, Blk II, 1st Floor, Jakarta 10110, Indonesia
Telephone: +62 21 384 1961
The two approved surveyors, PT Socofindo and PT Surveyor have established a joint customer operation, KSO Sucofindo-Surveyor Indonesia.