Effective 1 January 2026, Minister of Trade Regulation No. 47 of 2025 officially changes the way Indonesia manages the flow of imported goods. This regulation does not merely tighten controls, but closes loopholes that were previously utilized within the import system—including through facilities such as PLB, SEZ, and FTZ.
Unlike the previous approach, which still allowed adjustments after goods arrived, Permendag 47/2025 applies an absolute prohibition principle. This means goods categorized as prohibited may not enter Indonesian territory in any form—even for re-export or processing purposes.
Key commodities affected include sugar, rice, used clothing, hazardous waste (B3), and certain cooling systems linked to global environmental commitments. The policy is clearly aimed at protecting domestic industry, public health, and environmental sustainability.
The impact extends beyond regulation—it changes how companies design their supply chains. The risks are significantly higher, ranging from entry rejection and confiscation to administrative and criminal sanctions. In this environment, minor errors such as HS code misclassification or insufficient document verification can result in substantial losses.
Amid this shift, the approach to imports must evolve from operational to strategic. Pre-shipment validation becomes the primary safeguard to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
For businesses, this is a moment to reassess import strategies. It is no longer about how quickly goods arrive, but how precisely decisions are made before shipment.
Transcon Indonesia views this regulatory shift as an opportunity to help companies manage risk from the outset—through a more integrated approach combining compliance, visibility, and supply chain efficiency.