Indonesia No Longer Plans to Impose 12 Percent VAT for Luxury Agricultural Products

ID2025-0003 – This report serves as an update to FAS Jakarta’s previous report outlining Indonesia’s plans to impose a 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) for luxury agricultural products (please see GAIN Report ID2024-0053). This would have been a significant change, since agricultural products had not previously been subject to any VAT. Through an official press conference on December 31, 2024, President Prabowo Subianto announced a reversal which effectively means there will be no changes to VAT applications for agricultural goods, although the VAT for certain processed food products previously taxed at 11 percent will remain in place at that rate. Fresh agricultural products that were not previously subject to any VAT will remain exempt.

Indonesia Plans to Impose 12 Percent VAT for Luxury Agricultural Products as Early as January 2025

ID2024-0053 – On December 16, 2024, the Government of Indonesia (GOI) announced the increase in value-added tax (VAT) from the current 11 percent to 12 percent on selected goods and services, effective January 1, 2025. In addition, a separate 12 percent luxury goods sales tax will newly be applied for luxury products intended for high-end Indonesian consumers (luxury VAT). Impacted products include premium beef, pork, fruit, seafood, and specialty rice which historically were not subject to any VAT. Once in force and fully implemented as early as January 2025, the luxury VAT policy will have a significant impact on above-mentioned U.S. agricultural exports to Indonesia, currently valued at approximately $154 million per year. These products already face strong competition from countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the People’s Republic of China which offer competitive prices and have duty-free access or lower tariffs under free trade agreements.

Prabowo Staffs New Administration Pledges Self-Sufficiency as Core Tenant

ID2024-0051 – On October 20, 2024, Prabowo Subianto was sworn in as the eighth president of Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy. During his inauguration, President Prabowo announced he would consolidate and marshal executive and legislative power to build early momentum on his priorities, in particular food self-sufficiency, energy sovereignty, a Free Nutritious Meal Program, and “commodities down-streaming.” To fast-track his flagship Food Estate and school feeding programs, President Prabowo created a new Coordinating Ministry of Food Affairs. This report outlines key appointments within the Prabowo Administration and their priorities for background as imported products fall under increased scrutiny in Indonesia.

Indonesia Plans to Implement Labeling Requirements and to Restrict Sugar Salt and Fat Content in Processed Food and Beverages

ID2024-0043 – Indonesia’s National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) has drafted a new regulation that would mandate the use of a “Nutri-Level” front-of-pack labeling system for sugar, salt, and fat (SSF) content and set maximum SSF levels. Like the system used in Singapore, the proposed grading system would rank products as “A, B, C, and D’’ levels. C and D-level products would be required to display their “Nutri-Level” grade as well as their total SSF content per serving or per package. The first phase would apply to ready-to-drink, non-alcoholic beverages, potentially as early as December 2024. Once in force and fully implemented, this regulation would have a significant effect on U.S. packaged food and non-alcoholic beverage exports to Indonesia – currently valued at approximately $54 million per year. U.S. stakeholders are requested to share comments and concerns with FAS as soon as possible. Please note that the final regulation may be published prior to the January 2, 2025, comment deadline.

Indonesia Grants Two-Year Extension for Mandatory Halal Certification for Food and Beverage Products with Caveats

ID2024-0031 – On October 18, 2024, the Government of Indonesia issued Government Regulation No. 42/2024, which granted an extension until, “no later than October 17, 2026” for imported food and beverage products to come into compliance with Indonesia’s mandatory halal certification requirements. The specific length of extension which will be afforded to U.S. food and beverage products is not yet known. However, today’s action allows U.S. food and beverages (except meat and meat products) to continue to be sold in Indonesia without halal certification. FAS Jakarta will seek to clarify multiple aspects of the new regulation and provide updates accordingly.

Indonesia Confirms Extension for Mandatory Halal Certification for Imported Food and Beverage Products and Annulment of Apostille Requirement

ID2024-0039 – As FAS Jakarta previously reported, the Government of Indonesia granted an extension until, “no later than October 17, 2026” for imported food and beverage products to come into compliance with Indonesia’s mandatory halal certification requirements. This allows most U.S. food and beverage products to be exported to Indonesia without halal certification during the length of the extension. The exception is meat, meat products, and dairy products, which remain subject to halal certification requirements under a separate law. Based on conversations with Indonesia’s halal product assurance authority (BPJPH), FAS Jakarta anticipates the extension will likely be granted for the full two years. In addition, the previous requirement to get halal certificates apostilled was removed, saving U.S. exporters an onerous and bureaucratic step. Please note some of the guidance within this report is based on information gathered informally and may be subject to change.

Agricultural Biotechnology Annual

ID2024-0034 – Research and development of agricultural biotechnology in Indonesia continue to progress gradually. Over the past year, around 10 GE crop events have obtained food and feed approval, although only one has received environmental approval for domestic cultivation. To date, more than 50 crop events have received food and feed safety certificates. However, the development of animal biotechnology has not been prioritized. There is still no regulatory framework for GE animals and no GE animal products have been approved for commercialization. Since food security is a top priority of the new Prabowo Subianto administration, Indonesia’s national strategy supporting the increased development of GE products is expected to continue if not ramp up.

Update to Guidance on Prior Notice Requirements for All US Commodity Shipments to Indonesia

ID2024-0036 – This report serves as an update to FAS Jakarta’s October 4, 2024 report on the Indonesian Quarantine Authority’s (IQA) expanded “prior notice” requirements (please see GAIN Report ID2024-0028). Through an official letter dated October 4, 2024, IQA confirmed there is a “soft implementation phase” of the prior notice requirement until February 5, 2025. Once full implementation begins on February 6, 2025, FAS Jakarta understands that U.S. exporters must send a copy of the prior notice submissions to their importers. Please note that this and related clarifications are based on information gathered informally and may be subject to change.

Requirement to Register Fresh Food of Animal Origin

ID2024-0032 – On October 27, 2022, FAS Jakarta published a report summarizing the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Service’s (DGLAHS)’s new requirements for importers to register fresh food of animal origin and obtain the resulting distribution license. Since DGLAHS has recently begun to enforce these requirements, importers are now asking U.S. exporters to provide a certificate of analysis (CoA) for at least one of the required testing parameters every six months. This report is based on our assessment of information gathered from DGLAHS and local industry to help U.S. exporters comply with the CoA requirements. U.S. exporters should endeavor to meet this requirement as soon as possible to avoid jeopardizing their sales to Indonesia. Since these requirements primarily impact U.S. beef exports, this report is focused accordingly. Please note that this guidance is based on information gathered informally and may be subject to change.

Guidance on Prior Notice Requirements for All US Commodity Shipments to Indonesia Beginning October 6

ID2024-0028 – This report serves as a follow up to FAS Jakarta’s August 14 and October 3, 2024 reports on Indonesia’s expanded “prior notice” requirements. Exporters must submit a prior notice notification in the Indonesia Quarantine Authority’s (IQA) new online system, on a per shipment basis, for all U.S. commodity shipments departing on or after October 6, 2024. The User Manual, provided in English by IQA, is provided within the report. FAS Jakarta has added questions and answers based on our assessment of information gathered from IQA to help U.S. exporters comply with the prior notice requirement. Please note that this guidance is based on information gathered informally and may be subject to change.