Halal Certification and BPOM Distribution License for Imported Products in Indonesia: Ensuring Compliance and Consumer Protection

Starting in October 2026, imported products circulating in Indonesia are required to have a halal certificate. According to the policy that is issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia which is the Law No. 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance, which has been amended by the Job Creation Law, as well as Article 125 of Government Regulation No. 39 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Halal Product Assurance. This policy aims to ensure that products marketed to the public comply with Islamic law and meet established halal standards.

Under this regulation, all products entering, circulating, and traded in Indonesia must have a halal certification. Applications for halal certification of imported products must be submitted by the importer or its official representative. If the halal certification for a product is issued by a foreign halal body that has a mutual recognition agreement with the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), there is no need to apply for a halal certificate in Indonesia. However, if the country of origin does not recognize such a halal body, halal certification must be carried out in Indonesia in accordance with the applicable regulations.

For products containing substances prohibited in Islam, such as pork, the halal certification requirement does not apply. Instead, manufacturers are required to clearly state that the product is “not halal” on the packaging or the product itself. This label must be easily visible, legible, and cannot be removed, erased, or damaged. Common examples of non-halal labeling found on imported products include “contains pork” or “in its production process, it comes into contact with materials derived from pork.” This label can be in the form of a picture, symbol, or text, with a different color on certain parts of the product.

In addition to halal certification, imported food products must also meet the distribution license requirements from the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan/ “BPOM”) before being traded in Indonesia. According to Article 34 of Government Regulation No. 86 of 2019 concerning Food Safety, all processed foods, whether produced domestically or imported, must have a distribution license. Exceptions to this requirement apply to foods with a shelf life of less than seven days, foods used as raw materials for further processing, and foods imported in limited quantities for research, personal consumption, or registration approval.

To obtain a distribution license from BPOM, imported food products must meet the safety and quality standards applicable in Indonesia. The products must be tested and inspected by authorized authorities in Indonesia, or by authorities in the country of origin that have mutual recognition agreements with Indonesia. Products that do not meet these requirements, whether in terms of halal certification or distribution licensing, may be subject to administrative sanctions.

Overall, the halal certification and distribution licensing policy is a step by the Indonesian government to protect consumers and ensure that products circulating in the market meet safety, quality, and religious standards observed by the community. It also demonstrates Indonesia's commitment to maintaining order and transparency in the trade of imported products, particularly those related to food and beverages.