Navigating the Indonesian import landscape has always required agility, but 2025 brings a definitive shift toward centralized control for strategic commodities. The government has consolidated the regulatory framework under Minister of Trade Regulation (Permendag) No. 19/2025, which, along with the amendment Permendag 37/2025, fundamentally changes how businesses bring salt and fishery products into the archipelago. For importers, this means moving away from general licenses and adapting to a rigorous system based on verified production needs and strict commodity balances as outlined by the JDIH Ministry of Trade.
The new regime introduces a layer of complexity designed to protect domestic industries while ensuring supply chain transparency. “General” importers (API-U) are now barred from importing industrial salt, a privilege exclusively reserved for producer importers (API-P) who can prove their manufacturing requirements. Simultaneously, the Minister of Finance Decree No. 9/MK/BC/2025 has reclassified these items as restricted goods, empowering customs officers to block any shipment that lacks a precise pre-entry permit. This tightening of the net aims to eliminate the gray market and force full compliance with national quotas.
For foreign businesses and local manufacturers alike, understanding these New Import Rules for Salt and Fishery Commodities 2025 is not optional—it is a survival requirement. Failing to align your import permits (PI) with the new Commodity Balance system or missing a Surveyor Report (LS) can result in containers being seized at the port. This guide breaks down the essential legal shifts, operational mandates, and strategic steps you must take to keep your supply chain moving in this highly regulated environment.
Table of Contents
- Core Legal Framework: Permendag 19 & 37
- Importer Eligibility: API-P vs API-U
- The "PI-Before-Entry" Mandate
- Understanding Commodity Balance Quotas
- Real Story: The Salt Supply Pivot
- Surveyor Verification (LS) Protocols
- Fishery-Specific Health & Safety Rules
- Special Zones: Bonded, PLB, and SEZs
- FAQs about Salt & Fishery Imports
Core Legal Framework: Permendag 19 & 37
The foundation of the 2025 import regime lies in Permendag No. 19/2025, titled “Import Policy and Provisions for Salt and Fishery Commodities.” This regulation serves as the master key, replacing previous fragmented rules and establishing a unified protocol for bringing these goods into Indonesia. It covers a broad spectrum of items, from industrial salt and pearl nuclei to fish broodstock and processed aquatic products. Every importer must map their goods against the HS codes listed in the regulation’s annexes to determine their specific obligations.
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Complementing this is Permendag No. 37/2025, an amendment that offers critical operational flexibility. Most notably, it allows for Surveyor Verification (LS) to be conducted at domestic Bonded Logistics Centers (PLB), rather than exclusively at the port of origin. This shift is significant for logistics planning, potentially reducing overseas inspection costs. However, these trade regulations are enforced by the Minister of Finance Decree No. 9/MK/BC/2025, which categorizes these commodities as “restricted goods.” This means customs clearance is impossible without full, validated documentation in the national system.
Importer Eligibility: API-P vs API-U
One of the most drastic changes in the New Import Rules for Salt and Fishery Commodities 2025 is the restriction on who can import industrial salt. The government has drawn a hard line: only holders of an API-P (Producer Importer License) are permitted to import salt for industrial use. This effectively cuts out general traders (API-U holders) from the industrial salt supply chain, forcing manufacturers to import directly based on their verified production capacity.
For fishery commodities, the eligibility criteria are equally stringent but broader in scope. Importers must hold a valid Business Identification Number (NIB) and the appropriate API matching their business activities. Additionally, they must be registered with the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) for health and quality control purposes. This dual-layer of licensing ensures that only legitimate, verifiable businesses can access the market, eliminating speculative trading that previously disrupted domestic prices.
The "PI-Before-Entry" Mandate
Under the new rules, the “PI-Before-Entry” principle is absolute. Salt and fishery commodities cannot arrive in Indonesian customs territory without a prior Import Approval (Persetujuan Impor, PI) issued by the Ministry of Trade. This is a shift from older systems where permits could sometimes be processed while goods were on the water. Now, the PI must be secured before the shipment departs the origin country.
Applying for a PI is a digital process integrated with the OSS system. Importers must submit their NIB, API, and detailed production capacity data (for salt) or purchase contracts (for fishery products). The Ministry of Trade uses this data to verify that the requested import volume aligns with the national stock availability. Customs officers (DJBC) will electronically cross-reference the PI data with the physical shipment manifest; any discrepancy in volume or HS code will lead to immediate rejection at the border.
Understanding Commodity Balance Quotas
The volume of imports allowed into Indonesia is no longer arbitrary; it is governed by the “Commodity Balance” (Neraca Komoditas) system. This data-driven mechanism calculates the national annual import quota by analyzing domestic production capacity versus verified industrial demand. The government collects data from industry players and relevant ministries to determine the exact deficit that needs to be filled by imports.
For importers, this means that your PI application is directly capped by your share of this national quota. You cannot simply request an unlimited volume; your approved allocation will depend on your verified production needs (for API-P) or historical performance. This system aims to prevent oversupply that could harm local fishermen and salt farmers. Importers must now plan their annual needs with precision, submitting accurate data to the Commodity Balance system well in advance to secure their allocation for the year.
Real Story: The Salt Supply Pivot
Budi, an operations manager for a food processing facility in Surabaya, didn’t realize his canning line was at risk until his long-time salt supplier went silent. Under the new regulations, his trading partner was suddenly stripped of their right to import industrial salt as an API-U holder. Facing a total production halt during peak season, Budi had to pivot from being a passive buyer to a licensed producer-importer in just weeks.
He engaged a corporate legal consultant to upgrade his company’s license to API-P status. They rushed to compile production data, verifying their exact salt usage to submit to the Commodity Balance system. It was a race against time, but by utilizing the OSS system and securing a direct PI, Budi managed to clear his first independent shipment of salt just days before his stock ran out. The process forced his company to mature from a passive buyer to an active importer, proving that in the new regulatory era, control over your own compliance is the only way to guarantee your supply chain.
Surveyor Verification (LS) Protocols
Technical verification, resulting in a Surveyor Report (Laporan Surveyor or LS), remains a mandatory step for clearing salt and fishery imports. The LS confirms critical details such as the quantity, quality specifications, country of origin, and HS classification of the goods. Without a valid LS, the customs declaration cannot be processed, and the cargo will remain stuck at the port, incurring demurrage charges.
A key update in Permendag 37/2025 is the flexibility regarding where this verification takes place. While LS was traditionally done at the loading port in the exporting country, importers can now opt to have it performed at a Bonded Logistics Center (PLB) within Indonesia. This allows goods to be shipped to a PLB first, verified domestically, and then cleared for distribution. This option provides a strategic advantage for importers who need faster shipping times or who want to consolidate stock in a bonded zone before finalizing customs clearance.
Fishery-Specific Health & Safety Rules
Importing fishery products involves a parallel set of regulations focused on health and safety. Beyond the Ministry of Trade’s PI, importers must comply with the strict standards of the Fish Quarantine and Inspection Agency (BKIPM). This includes securing health certificates from the country of origin and ensuring that the processing facilities meet HACCP standards. Invasive or dangerous fish species listed under MMAF regulations remain strictly prohibited.
For processed aquatic products intended for retail, the hurdle is even higher. These goods must be registered with the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) to obtain a market authorization number (PB-UMKU). This registration process often requires detailed ingredient lists and, in some cases, inspection of the overseas manufacturing plant. Importers must treat BKIPM and BPOM compliance as a prerequisite to the trade licensing process, not an afterthought, to ensure their goods can legally enter the Indonesian market.
Special Zones: Bonded, PLB, and SEZs
The New Import Rules for Salt and Fishery Commodities 2025 carve out specific exceptions for businesses operating within designated economic zones. Imports destined for Bonded Zones (TPB) or Bonded Logistics Centers (PLB) enjoy simplified procedures, particularly regarding surveyor verification. The ability to conduct inspections domestically rather than overseas can significantly streamline the supply chain for manufacturers located in these zones.
Furthermore, Special Economic Zones (KEK) and companies with KITE (Import Facility for Export Purposes) status may receive tailored treatment regarding quotas. The government recognizes that export-oriented industries need a reliable supply of raw materials, so imports destined for processing and re-export are often exempted from the strict domestic commodity balance limitations. However, importers must meticulously check the specific implementing regulations for their zone, as the level of exemption can vary based on the exact location and business activity.
FAQs about Salt & Fishery Imports
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Can a general trading company (API-U) import industrial salt?
No. Under Permendag 19/2025, only companies with an API-P (Producer Importer License) are permitted to import salt for their own industrial use. General traders are restricted from this commodity to prevent market speculation.
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What is the "Commodity Balance" system?
It is a national database that determines import quotas based on the deficit between domestic production and verified industrial demand. Your import permit volume is directly capped by the allocation you receive from this system.
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Do I need a Surveyor Report (LS) for every shipment?
Yes. A valid LS is mandatory for customs clearance. However, you now have the option to conduct this verification at the port of origin or at a Bonded Logistics Center (PLB) in Indonesia, depending on your logistics strategy.
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Are imports into Bonded Zones exempt from quotas?
Generally, imports destined for re-export or processing in Bonded Zones (TPB/KITE) enjoy more flexibility regarding quotas, as they do not distort the domestic market. However, specific exemptions must be confirmed in the zone's operational guidelines.
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What happens if my HS code declaration is incorrect?
Mis-declaring HS codes is a serious offense that can lead to shipment rejection, administrative fines, and a "Red Line" status for future imports. Always ensure your PI, LS, and customs documents are perfectly aligned.
