Indonesia assures imports continuity ahead of October's halal mandate

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso assured that imported products can continue entering the country ahead of the second phase of mandatory halal certification, which takes effect on October 18.Santoso explained that halal certification is not classified as an import restriction, meaning the new requirement will not act as a trade barrier when foreign goods enter Indonesian territory.

"Halal certification is not an import restriction. This means imported goods are still allowed to enter, but once they are distributed in the market, they must be certified," Santoso told reporters here on Thursday.

He said various relevant ministries and agencies had coordinated to prepare for the implementation of the requirement.

Santoso also noted that Indonesia's Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) had introduced various mechanisms to streamline the certification process for businesses, expressing optimism that the transition would proceed smoothly.

Earlier this month, on September 9, Santoso said the government was preparing for enforcement of the halal requirement to ensure that compliance would not disrupt the distribution of goods, working closely with BPJPH and other stakeholders.

The requirement covers food and beverages, meat products and slaughtering services, cosmetics, chemicals, genetically modified products, traditional medicines, health supplements, and various consumer goods.

The requirement applies to both products made by domestic micro and small enterprises (MSEs) and imported products.

To clarify the governance of foreign products, BPJPH issued a regulation in August 2026 outlining compliance guidelines for imported halal products. The regulation aims to provide legal certainty for international businesses and domestic consumers alike.

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A key component of managing imported goods under the new system is the recognition of foreign halal certificates. As of September, Indonesia had signed Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with 116 foreign halal institutions out of 199 applicants, further facilitating international trade compliance.