NEW HALAL IMPORT VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

NEW HALAL IMPORT VERIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 

The Government of the Republic of Indonesia (the “Government”) has introduced a new mechanism for the supervision of imported halal products through Regulation of Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal – “BPJPH”) No. 4 of 2026 regarding the Assurance of Compliance of Foreign Halal Products Entering Indonesian Territory (“BPJPH Regulation 4/2026“) and Decree of the Head of BPJPH No. 328 of 2026 regarding the Standard Operating Procedures for the Assurance of Compliance of Foreign Halal Products Entering Indonesian Territory (“BPJPH Decree 328/2026“).

Through these regulations, the Government has established the Assurance of Compliance of Halal Products (Pemastian Kesesuaian Produk Halal – “PKPH“) mechanism, which requires imported products subject to Indonesia’s halal requirements to undergo a verification process before entering the country. This policy is intended to ensure that the halal certificates, halal labels, and product information associated with imported products are consistent with the actual products being imported.

The PKPH mechanism is not limited to food and beverage products. Under Indonesia’s halal product assurance framework, the scope of products subject to halal requirements also includes medicines, cosmetics, chemical products, biological products, and utilized consumer goods (barang gunaan). Halal requirements for such consumer goods apply only to goods that are derived from and/or contain animal-based materials.

Nevertheless, BPJPH Regulation 4/2026 exempts certain categories of goods from the PKPH mechanism, including personal belongings of passengers and transportation crew members, personal shipments, shipments belonging to Indonesian migrant workers, relocation goods, product samples for testing purposes, and goods in transhipment.

The key provisions regarding the implementation of the PKPH mechanism are set out below:

1.           Mandatory Assurance of Compliance of Halal Products

Pursuant to BPJPH Regulation 4/2026, imported products that are required to be halal certified, as well as non-halal products required to display a non-halal indication, must first undergo the PKPH process prior to the submission of import customs documentation.

As part of the PKPH process, various aspects are subject to examination and verification, including halal certificates or halal registration numbers, halal labels or non-halal indications, the conformity of product types and harmonized system codes, production and shipment information, along with other supporting documents required depending on the type of product.

One of the key changes introduced under BPJPH Regulation 4/2026 is the implementation of the PKPH mechanism in the country of origin and/or the country of loading before the products are dispatched to Indonesia. Through this mechanism, compliance for imported halal products is no longer focused solely on holding a valid halal certificate or halal registration. Importers must also ensure that the relevant products and supporting documents undergo verification and that a Halal Product Compliance Assurance Report (Laporan Pemastian Produk Halal) is obtained before the products are imported into Indonesia.

2.           Halal Product Compliance Assurance Report (Laporan Pemastian Produk Halal – “LPPH”)

Pursuant to BPJPH Decree 328/2026, following completion of the PKPH process, the appointed inspection body will issue an LPPH as evidence that the relevant products and supporting documents have been verified under the applicable PKPH requirements.

The LPPH is required to support the importation of goods into Indonesia and applies to a single shipment only.

3.           Inspection Bodies Responsible for Conducting PKPH

The PKPH process is carried out by inspection bodies appointed by BPJPH. Such inspection bodies may be government-owned or private entities that satisfy certain requirements, including accreditation standards, personnel competency requirements, and operational capability to conduct inspections overseas.

Importers are required to select a BPJPH-appointed inspection body when submitting a PKPH application through BPJPH’s electronic system.

4.           Effective Date of the LPPH Requirement

Effective 17 October 2026, products loaded in the country of origin and/or the country of loading will be required to undergo the PKPH process and obtain an LPPH prior to importation into Indonesia. The applicability of this requirement is determined based on the relevant on-board date. Accordingly, products shipped to Indonesia on or after that date must have completed the PKPH process and obtained an LPPH before being imported into Indonesia.

5.           Administrative Sanctions

Failure to comply with the PKPH requirements may result in administrative sanctions being imposed on importers, including written warnings, revocation of halal certificates or halal registration numbers, withdrawal of products from the market, and destruction of products.

Conclusion

BPJPH Regulation 4/2026 and BPJPH Decree 328/2026 expand the regulatory framework governing imported halal products by introducing the PKPH mechanism and the requirement to obtain an LPPH before certain products may be imported into Indonesia. With these requirements becoming effective from 17 October 2026, importers should ensure that the required verification process has been completed prior to shipping products to Indonesia. These regulations mark a shift from a regime primarily focused on halal certification to one that also requires verification of product compliance before products are imported into Indonesia.

This Client Alert is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact us should you require further information or assistance regarding the implementation of the PKPH mechanism or related matters.

Link PDF:  Client-Alert-New-Halal-Import-Verification-Requirements-2026-10-095.pdf