Geneva (March 13, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, examines the latest updates to Indonesia’s technical and verification program in an article that also includes advice and insight for new exporters and explains the main reasons for the increase in trade regulations.
As the largest economy in Southeast Asia, with annual imports of USD 263 billion, Indonesia’s many commodity markets are increasingly protected by regulation. In 2024, downstream plastics were included in the list of products subject to inspection prior to shipment to the country. The Ministry of Trade (MOT) has implemented an import licensing program covering different kinds of finished plastic products, with a technical inspection and verification program as the primary tool to ensure compliance.
Importers of textiles, textile products, bags and footwear are also now required to produce trademark certificates when applying for one of three categories of import permit:
– General import permits for consumption (API-U), required for parties conducting import activities for trading
– Import permits for producers (API-P)
– Import permits for suppliers of raw or auxiliary materials (PPBB)
Hazardous chemicals importers have also been highlighted, with two categories designated: manufacturers and importers (API-P) and general importers (API-U). API-P importers are now required to obtain a recommendation letter from the Ministry of Industry to ensure their goods can enter the country legally.
As pioneer partners of KSO Sucofindo – Surveyor Indonesia, SGS participates in 17 of the country’s largest commodity programs, helping to ensure fairer trade practices and consumer/environmental protection.
Further details of SGS’s export services for Indonesia are available in the Q1 PCA newsletter
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of 99,500 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
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