Indonesia Import Guide › Halal certification
Last updated: 9 November 2026
Short answer: Products sold in Indonesia must be halal certified, or carry a non-halal statement if they contain non-halal materials. The obligation is introduced in phases: after PP 40/2026, the deadline for imported food and beverages is 18 October 2028 and for cosmetics, health supplements and many consumer goods 17 October 2028. Imported products can either register a halal certificate from a foreign halal body recognised by BPJPH, or apply directly to BPJPH through an Indonesian importer or official representative.
When does the halal obligation apply to imported products?
Indonesia's halal agency BPJPH applies the obligation in phases. PP 40/2026, enacted in October 2026, moved most deadlines that were due in October 2026 to 2028:
| Product category | Halal deadline |
|---|---|
| Imported food and beverages, slaughter products and related services | 18 October 2028, taking into account the completion of mutual recognition agreements |
| Cosmetics, traditional and natural medicines, quasi-drugs, health supplements, chemical and GMO products, certain consumer goods (such as apparel and accessories, household goods and stationery), Class A medical devices | 17 October 2028 |
| Over-the-counter drugs and Class B medical devices | 17 October 2029 |
| Certain prescription drugs and Class C medical devices | 17 October 2034 |
A pre-shipment halal verification for each import, introduced by BPJPH Regulation 4/2026, was announced to be revoked in the same October 2026 package. Check the latest status before you plan shipments.
Route 1: register a foreign halal certificate
If your product already has a halal certificate from a foreign halal body that has a mutual recognition agreement with BPJPH, you do not need a new Indonesian certificate. The foreign certificate must be registered with BPJPH before the product is distributed in Indonesia.
- Who applies: the importer or the foreign company's official representative in Indonesia, through BPJPH's SIHALAL system.
- Documents: applicant data, a copy of the foreign halal certificate, a list of products with HS codes, and a statement on the validity of the documents. The foreign certificate is usually apostilled.
- Official time: 5 working days for the completeness check and 5 working days for the validity check, with time to complete missing documents and submit originals.
- Result: a registration number, which must be placed near the halal label. The registration follows the validity of the foreign certificate and can be renewed from 60 working days before it expires.
- Recognised bodies: BPJPH's directory lists 126 foreign halal bodies, 13 of them in China (as of 9 November 2026), each with a defined product scope. Check that your certifier and product category are on the BPJPH list.
Route 2: apply directly to BPJPH
If your certifier is not recognised, the foreign company applies to BPJPH through its importer or official representative. A halal inspection body (LPH) audits the product and process, and the MUI fatwa committee decides on the halal status.
| Step (direct application) | Official time |
|---|---|
| BPJPH checks the documents | 1 working day |
| BPJPH assigns a halal inspection body (LPH) | 1 working day |
| LPH checks the documents | 2 working days |
| Applicant pays the invoice | Within 5 working days |
| LPH audits or tests the foreign product | 15 working days from payment, extendable by up to 15 |
| MUI fatwa session | 3 working days |
| BPJPH issues the certificate | 1 working day |
Added together, the official steps come to roughly 23 to 28 working days, before any extension, clarification or travel time for a factory visit (our calculation). An Indonesian halal certificate stays valid as long as the ingredients and the production process do not change.
Labelling
- Certified products must carry the Indonesian halal label, placed where it is easy to see and hard to remove.
- For a registered foreign certificate, the registration number is printed near the halal label.
- Products made from non-halal materials must carry a non-halal statement ("tidak halal") instead.
How does halal fit with BPOM registration?
Halal certification is separate from BPOM's marketing authorisation. Food and cosmetics normally need both: BPOM registration to sell the product, and halal certification or a non-halal statement on the label. See BPOM registration for imported products.
Frequently asked questions
Is my Chinese halal certificate accepted in Indonesia?
Only if the issuing body is on BPJPH's list of recognised foreign halal bodies and its scope covers your product. Even then, the certificate must be registered with BPJPH before the product is sold.
Do non-halal products need certification?
No. Products made from non-halal materials are exempt from certification, but they must clearly state that they are not halal.
How long is an Indonesian halal certificate valid?
It stays valid as long as the ingredients and production process do not change. A change means the certificate must be updated.
Preparing products for the Indonesian market?
Tell us what you sell. We check the halal, BPOM and import requirements for your products and plan them before you ship.
Market entry solutionIndonesia import guideSources
- PP 42/2024 on halal product assurance (peraturan.go.id)
- BPJPH: halal deadlines under PP 40/2026
- Katadata: government postpones halal obligation to 2028 (16 Oct 2026)
- LPPOM MUI: PP 40/2026 halal relaxation schedule
- BPJPH directory of recognised foreign halal bodies
- Tilleke & Gibbins: foreign halal certificate registration in Indonesia (Mondaq, Sep 2025)
- Antara: Indonesia signs halal agreements with foreign halal bodies (May 2026)
- ChemLinked: Indonesia extends mandatory halal deadline to 2028 (Oct 2026)
- Hukumonline: the Indonesian halal label (BPJPH Decision 40/2022)
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Halal rules are being phased in and may change; confirm the requirements for your product before shipping.