Indonesia Consults on the Supervision of Imported Food

On Nov. 12, 2021, to promote the international trade in the framework of Indonesia's National Single Window, Indonesia FDA (BPOM) opened the draft of "Supervision of the Importation of Drugs and Food into Indonesian Territory" for public feedback. Any opinion can be submitted either via email [email protected] or by filling in the Google Form created by Indonesia FDA (BPOM) before Nov. 22, 2021.

Noteworthy Points Revealed by the Draft 

SKI Post Border 

SKI Post Border refers to the Post Border Import Certificate, an approval letter for the importation of processed foods and food ingredients, including the importation to the free trade zone, free ports and bonded area of Indonesia.

According to the draft, importers need to finish the importation within seven days from the date of receiving SKI Post Border. Notably, each SKI Post Border is valid for one entry only. It shall be applied for by companies with Distribution Permit or their authorized importers. The application procedure shall be finished online. Applicants need to register with BPOM or National Single Window and submit supporting documents, such as the scan of the original Processed Food Safety Management System Certificate. Besides, for food imported in bulk, a test certificate issued by the manufacturer or accredited laboratory must be submitted.

Food Shelf Life 

As specified in the draft, for imported processed foods, the remaining shelf life is required to be at least two thirds of the original shelf life, except processed foods permitted by law to claim no specified shelf lives with no specified shelf lives in law. Notably, the shelf life shall be calculated from the date of submitting SKI Post Border application.

Documents to be Uploaded 

For the importation of processed foods, applicants also need to upload the following documents:

• food label approved at the time of registration and its amendments;

• certificate from the manufacturer in the country of origin if the exporter is different from the manufacturer;

• cooperation agreement document legalized by a notary if the actualimporter that is different from the importer holding the registration approval;

• certificate from the manufacturer is required if the name of the processed food on the import document is the different from the name listed in the distribution permit;

• other documents required by law.