If you are importing goods derived from an animal to Indonesia, you need to follow regulations for trade, food safety, disease control, and halal compliance. In recent years, Permendag 18/2025 introduced new mandatory pre-shipment requirements. Furthermore, Halal certification will now be fully mandatory by October 2026 and FMD (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) origin restrictions have tightened further.
This guide is for foreign investors, food distributors, and trading companies that want to import animal products into Indonesia legally and efficiently. We will cover what are the requirements and the importation process.
Legal Framework for Importing Animal Products
What Counts as an "Animal Product" Under Indonesian Law?
Under the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture No. 42 of 2019, any form of products derived from animals is considered an “Animal Product”. This includes the following:
- Fresh and frozen meat: beef, lamb, goat, poultry, and other ruminant meats
- Processed meat: sausages, canned meats, smoked and cured products
- Dairy products: milk, cheese, butter, yoghurt, ghee, whey, and dairy spreads
- Eggs and egg-based products: fresh eggs, powdered eggs, processed egg items
- Animal by-products: gelatin, collagen, bone meal, animal fats (commonly used in food processing, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics)
If you are unsure if your products are derived from animals or contain animal products, our Emerhub’s local experts in Indonesia can help check your HS (Harmonized System) code with the Ministry of Trade.
Regulatory Changes in 2025 and 2026
Under Minister of Trade Regulation (Permendag) Number 18 of 2025, the Indonesian government has imposed stricter regulations for importing animal products in the country. This regulation replaced Permendag 8 of 2024 and introduced stricter controls over how agricultural and livestock products enter the country.
Here are the key changes you need to know:
- Import Approval (PI) and Surveyor Report (LS) are now mandatory for all covered commodities. You can no longer clear customs without both documents in place. The PI must be issued by the Ministry of Trade before your goods enter Indonesian Customs Territory. The LS (Laporan Surveyor) is produced by an independent surveyor appointed by the Ministry, who verifies your shipment in the country of origin before shipment.
- Electronic reporting is now required. Once your goods are cleared, you must report your import realization and distribution data electronically even if there's nothing to report in a given period. Missing these reports triggers administrative sanctions under Article 17 of the regulation.
- Free zones and bonded areas have limited exemptions. Goods entering Free Trade Zones (KPBPB), Special Economic Zones (KEK), or Bonded Zones (TPB) are initially exempt from PI and LS requirements. But the moment those goods move into the general Indonesian customs territory (or into the domestic market) all the standard requirements kick in immediately.
Note: if you have existing permits issued under the previous regulation (Permendag 8/2024), those remain valid until they expire. But all new applications are governed by Permendag 18/2025.
FMD (Foot-and-Mouth Disease) Restrictions
Ministry of Agriculture Regulation No. 19/2025 introduced tighter restrictions for goods from regions with Foot-and-Mouth Disease risks. Imports are permitted only from countries or zones certified as FMD-free by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Shipments arriving from non-approved countries or facilities are ordered for immediate re-export with no exceptions.
For beef specifically, boneless cuts and certain offal may be allowed from countries with recognized FMD control programs. However, the supplier facility must still be on Indonesia's approved facility list and operating under official veterinary supervision.
Before committing to any supplier outside established FMD-free markets (Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the Americas), verify the country's WOAH status and cross-reference against Indonesia's current approved facility list.
Requirements for Importing Animal Products to Indonesia
A Registered Legal Entity in Indonesia
To commercially import animal products, you need to have a legally registered Indonesian company with importing or trading activities listed as your business activity. Individuals and foreign entities cannot import directly.
For foreign investors, you need to set up a PT PMA (Perseroan Terbatas Penanaman Modal Asing). Registration is processed through the Online Single Submission (OSS) system, which issues the NIB (Nomor Induk Berusaha), or Business Identification Number.
The NIB must include the correct HS codes for your intended products. If those codes aren't reflected in the company's business classification, downstream permit applications will be blocked at the system level.
Emerhub can help you set up a company in Indonesia as a requirement to import animal products to the country.
Alternative Pathway: To bypass the complexities of starting a legal entity, you can also use our Importer of Record (IOR) service. We act as your representative and license holder so you can import animal products to Indonesia.
Cold Storage and Infrastructure Requirements
Importers must demonstrate adequate cold chain infrastructure before permit applications are approved. The Ministry of Agriculture assesses this as part of the SRP (Surat Rekomendasi Pemasukan) review that defines the volume and products authorized for import (see more information below).
You need to either own or lease (with proper documentation) the following:
- Cold storage facilities that meet the minimum capacity and temperature standards for your product category
- Refrigerated vehicles for domestic distribution
Authorities may conduct unannounced inspections of your warehouse and transport fleet. You need to have the proper logistics infrastructure before you file your applications.
Mandatory Halal Certification
As a Muslim-majority nation, halal compliance is mandatory for most animal product categories under Government Regulation 42/2024. By October 2026, all imported food and beverage products required a Halal certification from the BPJPH (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal). Products must carry the official halal logo on their packaging.
Beyond the certification itself, there are strict packaging and labeling requirements. Labels must be in both Indonesian and English and must clearly display the production facility, slaughter date, product type, and halal logo. The transport chain must also ensure that halal products are not mixed with non-halal cargo at any point during shipping or distribution.
The adhesives and ink used on packaging must also be food-grade and halal-compliant. A compliance review of packaging artwork before finalizing orders with your supplier is standard practice for experienced importers.
Here is a guide about halal certification in Indonesia for further information.
Import Quotas and Commodity Controls
Certain animal product categories (particularly beef and poultry) are subject to national import quotas reviewed annually by the government as part of a commodity balance assessment. Your SRP and PI will be issued within the limits of these quotas, so you need to plan your procurement volumes accordingly.
If the quota for a given commodity is exhausted, no Import Approvals are issued for that product until the next allocation cycle. Quota announcements are published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Trade, particularly around quarterly commodity balance reviews.
The Licenses Required to Import Animal Products
1. NIB with Importer Status
The NIB functions as both a business registration number and an Importer Identification Number. There are two types:
- API-U (Angka Pengenal Importir Umum): for general trading companies importing for distribution
- API-P (Angka Pengenal Importir Produsen): for manufacturers importing raw materials for their own production
Most animal product importers operating as distributors use the API-U classification.
2. Establishment Registration (for Your Supplier)
Indonesia only permits goods from foreign slaughterhouses, dairies, or processing facilities that have received official government approval. Each foreign supplier facility must be registered with the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services (Ditjen PKH) under the Ministry of Agriculture. For processed animal products, the facility must also be registered with BPOM (Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan) or Indonesia's National Agency for Drug and Food Control.
3. Import Recommendation Letter (Surat Rekomendasi Pemasukan - SRP)
The SRP is a technical recommendation from the Ministry of Agriculture that defines the specific volume and type of products authorized for import. It is a prerequisite for applying for the Import Approval from the Ministry of Trade.
The Ministry of Agriculture reviews cold storage capacity, distribution plans, and supplier health certifications as part of this process. The SRP is typically valid for three months from the date of issue. For processed food products, a separate recommendation from BPOM is also required.
4. Import Approval (Persetujuan Impor - PI)
The Import Approval from the Ministry of Trade is the formal authorization for each import. It specifies origin country, product type, and allowable quantity and must match the actual shipping manifest exactly. Discrepancies in quantity, product specification, or origin are one of the most common causes of customs rejections.
Applications are submitted electronically through the Ministry of Trade's system, which is linked directly to customs. As a requirement, a six-month import realization plan must be submitted alongside the application. Processing takes several weeks after complete documentation is received.
5. Surveyor Report (Laporan Surveyor - LS)
Under Permendag 18/2025, the LS is now a mandatory pre-shipment document. An independent surveyor (appointed by the Ministry of Trade) inspects your goods at the country of origin and confirms they meet Indonesia's technical requirements. This report must be submitted electronically and must align with your PI data.
6. Distribution Permit (PB-UMKU) For Processed Products
If you're importing processed meat products intended for retail distribution, you'll also need a Distribution Permit (PB-UMKU), which is obtained through BPOM. This confirms that your product's labeling and safety standards meet Indonesian consumer protection requirements.
7. Quarantine Clearance and Import Certificate (SKI Post Border)
All animal product shipments must undergo a quarantine inspection by the Indonesian Quarantine Agency (BARANTAN) upon arrival. You'll need to present:
- Original veterinary health certificates and sanitary documents from the country of origin
- A Certificate of Analysis for microbiological and residue testing, where required
- An Import Certificate (SKI Post Border) which is a single-use document required for processed meat imports.
Important: A quarantine check is one of the most critical steps in the importation process. Failing this check can result in the immediate re-export or destruction of your entire shipment.
How Emerhub Manages the Import Process for You
The permit chain for importing animal products involves five distinct phases, requires liaising with multiple agencies, and stringent document preparation. Any misstep at a given phase can hold up an entire shipment and it’s why most importers don’t manage this process independently.
To help you as a foreign importer, Emerhub handles the entire process end-to-end so your team can stay focused on sourcing and distribution rather than permit management.
Here’s how we can assist you with every step:
- Corporate Setup: We incorporate your PT PMA or PT through the OSS system, ensuring your NIB is configured with the correct importer classification, API-U status, and HS codes from day one. We also advise on cold chain infrastructure requirements before you invest in facilities.
- Supplier Verification: We cross-reference your intended suppliers against Indonesia's current approved facility lists held by the Ministry of Agriculture and BPOM. If a supplier isn't listed, we advise on alternatives or initiate the facility registration process.
- Pre-Import Permits: We prepare and file the SRP application with the Ministry of Agriculture, coordinate the BPOM recommendation for processed products, and manage the PI application with the Ministry of Trade. We also coordinate the independent surveyor for the LS inspection in the country of origin.
- Customs Clearance: We handle documentation submission at the designated entry point, coordinate quarantine inspection logistics, and manage communication with customs authorities through to clearance.
- Ongoing Compliance: We submit electronic import realization reports to the Ministry of Trade on your behalf, monitor quota availability for upcoming import cycles, and keep your permits current as regulations evolve.
If you're planning your first shipment or looking to streamline an existing import operation, contact Emerhub's team to discuss what your specific product category requires.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import animal products to Indonesia as an individual or a foreign company without local incorporation?
Commercial importation of animal products requires a legally registered Indonesian company (PT or PT PMA) with importer status in its NIB. You cannot import through personal channels or as a foreign entity without local incorporation. If you're not ready to set up a company yet, we can get you started with our Importer of Record (IOR) service.
How long does it take to get all the necessary permits?
The timeline varies depending on your product category and how well-prepared your documentation is. Here is a rough estimation: End-to-end, first-time importers should budget 4–6 months before their first shipment can clear customs. You can skip the incorporation process by partnering with a local representative or an IOR.
Do I need halal certification for every animal product I import?
Halal certification is required for most food animal products (including meat, poultry, and dairy). Halal certification becomes fully mandatory by October 2026. Even before the hard deadline, products without halal certification face serious commercial barriers in the Indonesian market.
What happens if my goods fail the quarantine inspection?
If your shipment fails a quarantine check either due to disease detection, microbiological non-compliance, or documentation issues, Indonesian authorities can order the goods to be re-exported at your expense or destroyed on-site. This is why getting your supplier's health documentation right before the shipment leaves the origin country is so important.
Are there annual limits on how much I can import?
Indonesia manages imports through a commodity balance system reviewed annually (and sometimes quarterly) by the government. Your PI will specify the approved import volume, and it will be issued within the national quota limit. Once the quota is exhausted for a given period, no new Import Approvals are issued until the next allocation.
Can goods imported into a Free Trade Zone later be sold in the Indonesian domestic market?
Yes, but only after satisfying all the standard PI and LS requirements. Goods entering Free Trade Zones, Special Economic Zones, or Bonded Zones are initially exempt from the full permit chain. However, the moment they're moved into Indonesia's general customs territory for domestic sale, all the regular import regulations apply in full.