1. Competent authority
Competent authority | Responsibility |
Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan (BPOM) | BPOM is responsible for protecting public health through the control and supervision of food products, traditional medicine, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, and health supplements. It is tasked to issue import permits for and oversee the distribution of food products in Indonesia. |
Kementerian Pertanian (The Ministry of Agriculture, MOA) | MOA administers government affairs in the agricultural sector. It is responsible for enhancing agricultural production and food security. Under MOA, Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services (DGLAHS) is responsible for the examination and approval of the admittance qualification for dairy products importing countries and enterprises. |
Kementerian Perdagangan (The Ministry of Trade, MOT) | MOT directs the formulation of policies related to the development of trade in Indonesia. It is responsible for classifying food imports, specifying food import procedures, and issuing import approval letter. |
2. Market access approval
2.1 Establishment registration
Imported animal-origin products including dairy products must come from Indonesia approved countries and business establishments. Establishments should check with their importers to confirm that they are currently approved to export dairy products to Indonesia. The list of approved establishments is available at the DGLAHS website.
2.2 Product positive list
The annex of MOA Regulation No. 15 of 2021 on Standards for Business Activities and Product Standards in the Implementation of Risk-Based Business Licensing in the Agricultural Sector lists dairy products and the processed products thereof that can be exported to Indonesia.
2.3 Import recommendation (SRP)
Indonesian importers of milk and milk products must now obtain an import recommendation (SRP) from MOA prior to obtaining an import permit (SPI) from MOT. To obtain an SRP, the importer must provide a halal certificate to MOA, which must be issued by a halal certifying body recognized by Indonesia. SRP can be used anytime within a six-month period, and must be provided on the health certificate accompanying each shipment. Importers can apply SPR through the online system.
2.4 Import permit (SPI)
Importer of dairy products must obtain MOT's import permit (SPI) before importing. The maximum validity period of the corresponding SPI depends on product category. Importers can apply SPI through the online system.
2.5 Product circulation number (NIE)
For processed dairy products, in order to obtain the product circulation number (NIE), importers are required to register the products with BPOM. In principle, the circulation permit shall be valid for five years, and can be prolonged via re-registration. Importers can apply NIE through the online system.
2.6 Import certificate (SKI)
For processed dairy products, SKI Post Border, i.e., an import certificate from BPOM, shall be obtained through application by local importers with circulation permit. Each SKI Post Border is single-used for one import only. Local importers shall finish the importation within seven days from the date of receiving SKI Post Border. Importers can apply SKI Post Border through the online system.
2.7 Inspection & quarantine
Dairy products shall be transported only after the application of quarantine measures in the country of origin prior to being loaded onto the transport vessel. Upon arrival at the entry port, animal products shall be imposed to quarantine measures in accordance with the Indonesian animal quarantine legislation. The inspection includes checking product documents, labels, and examining samples for contamination.
3. Product compliance
3.1 Product requirements
Regulation of the Drug and Food Control Agency Number 13 of 2023 concerning Food Categories details the specifications of multiple processed dairy products. For circulation in Indonesia, all involved dairy products must meet these requirements.
Other compliance requirements for dairy products are as follows:
Items | Requirements |
Veterinary drug residues | Comply with relevant provisions in MOA Regulation No. 14/Permentan/Pk.350/5/2017 on the Classification of Animal Drugs |
Maximum limits of heavy metals | Comply with relevant provisions in BPOM No. 9 of 2022 on Heavy Metal Contaminants in Processed Food |
Maximum limits of chemical contamination | Comply with relevant provisions in BPOM Regulation No. 8 of 2018 on Maximum Limit of Chemical Contamination in Processed Food |
Maximum limits of microbial contamination | Comply with relevant provisions in BPOM Regulation No. 13 of 2019 on Maximum Limit of Microbial Contamination in Processed Food |
Maximum limits of radioactive contamination | Comply with relevant provisions in MOH Regulation No. 1031 of 2011 on Maximum Limit of Radioactive Contamination in Food |
Maximum limits of melamine | Comply with relevant provisions in MOH Regulation No. 34 of 2012 on Maximum Limit of Melamine in Food |
Besides, Indonesia has published a List of Indonesian National Standard (SNI) for many products. Currently, there's no mandatory standard for dairy products. Instead, Indonesia has some voluntary standards for several dairy products, such as plain liquid milk, milk drinks, fermented milk drinks, pasteurized milk, and flavored fermented milk drinks.
3.2 Label
The labeling of processed dairy products shall meet the general food labeling requirements stated in Government Regulation 69/1999 Foods Labels and Advertisements and BPOM Regulation 20/2021 on Processed Food Labels. For example, food labels must be written or printed in the Indonesian language (Bahasa). Mandatory labeling items include:
Product name
Ingredient list
Net weight or net content
Name and address of the manufacturer and importer
Halal information
Date and production code
Expiry date
BPOM registration number
Origin of certain food ingredients
For the permitted claims of processed dairy products, please refer to BPOM Regulation No.1 of 2022 on Processed Food Claims and Advertisements.
Recommened resources:
Online course: Focus on Southeast Asia, Japan, and South Korea: Food Compliance and Import Procedure Interpretation, Session 2 Indonesia
* Global Food Compliance Service
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