A product may already have a halal certificate from its country of origin, complete shipping documents, and a scheduled vessel. Under BPJPH’s new provisions, however, this does not necessarily mean the goods can immediately be processed for entry into Indonesia.
Importers need to ensure that products, documents, labels, HS Codes, and shipping information comply with Halal Product Assurance provisions before the import customs declaration is submitted.
These provisions are governed by Regulation of the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (BPJPH) No. 4 of 2026 on Ensuring the Conformity of Foreign Halal Products Entering Indonesian Territory.
For companies importing food, beverages, cosmetics, medicines, chemical products, biological products, and certain other goods, this rule makes preparation before shipment increasingly important.
What Has Changed in the Supervision of Imported Halal Products?
BPJPH Regulation No. 4 of 2026 confirms that products entering, circulating, and being traded within Indonesia must be halal-certified in accordance with statutory provisions.
Products made from prohibited ingredients are exempt from mandatory halal certification but must carry a Non-Halal Statement.
One requirement importers need to consider is undergoing Halal Product Assurance Verification before submitting an import customs declaration.
Halal Product Assurance Verification consists of administrative verification and a limited physical conformity inspection to ensure imported products conform to the Halal Certificate or Registration Number, Halal Label or Non-Halal Statement, import documents, and Halal Product Assurance provisions.
Halal compliance for imported goods therefore needs consideration before shipment as well as when products arrive in Indonesia.
Which Products Need Attention?
The definition of products in this regulation is broad. It may cover goods and/or services relating to food, beverages, medicines, cosmetics, chemical products, biological products, genetically engineered products, and consumer goods worn, used, or otherwise utilized by the public.
However, not every item entering Indonesia is subject to the same mechanism.
The regulation exempts several categories of goods from Halal Product Assurance Verification before customs declaration, such as passengers’ personal belongings, transport crew members’ personal belongings, personal consignments, relocation goods, testing samples, transit or transshipment goods, and other categories under statutory provisions.
Importers therefore need to consider more than the product name. Halal status, the purpose of entry, HS Code, country of origin, and shipment structure also need review.
Documents Importers Need to Prepare
BPJPH Regulation No. 4 of 2026 establishes several requirements for importers applying for Halal Product Assurance Verification through the Integrated Electronic System.
1. An NIB That Serves as an API
Importers must hold a Business Identification Number (NIB) that serves as an Importer Identification Number (API).
This means the company’s legal status and identity as an importer are among the foundations to confirm before proceeding with Halal Product Assurance Verification.
2. Halal Certificate or Registration Number
Products to be imported need the relevant Halal Certificate or Registration Number.
Different documents are required for products made from prohibited ingredients. The regulation provides for photographs of product packaging displaying a Non-Halal Statement as part of the requirements.
For products using a Foreign Halal Certificate (SHLN), importers also need to consider the issuing institution.
The inspection may verify whether the SHLN was issued by a Foreign Halal Institution from the same country as the production location and whether that institution has cooperation with BPJPH within the relevant scope of mutual recognition.
3. Product List and HS Codes
Importers need to prepare a list of goods entering Indonesia, complete with HS Codes.
An HS Code is more than technical customs information. In Halal Product Assurance Verification, the code’s conformity with the product type is also inspected.
The regulation also covers situations where the HS Code in the LPPH differs from the code determined by the competent customs authority. In those circumstances, the customs authority’s code applies.
Product data, halal documents, and customs documents should therefore be synchronized from the outset.
4. Invoice and Product Order List
The purchase invoice and product order list are also important application documents.
These documents provide information on the type or description, quantity, and units of the products to be imported.
During Halal Product Assurance Verification, inspection may cover quantity or volume, production code, production date, and product units, and their consistency with the invoice and product order list.
Seemingly small data errors, such as differences in descriptions or quantities, may therefore create a need for additional verification.
5. Company Documents and Power of Attorney
Other requirements include the company’s NPWP and a power of attorney from the importer’s management to its official representative.
The importer’s management must also submit a statement confirming the truthfulness and validity of the application documents.
JHY Legal can help companies conduct an initial review of document readiness and imported halal product compliance before applying, including identifying company and product documents that need alignment.
Inspection Takes Place Before Goods Are Shipped
One important aspect of BPJPH Regulation No. 4 of 2026 is the location of Halal Product Assurance Verification.
Halal Product Assurance Verification takes place in the country of loading and/or the product’s country of origin.
The inspection must also be conducted directly at the goods loading warehouse before shipment from the country of loading and/or origin.
The inspection may cover at least:
- consistency of administrative data and documents;
- identification of product types;
- validation of the Halal Certificate number or Registration Number on the packaging;
- HS Code conformity;
- product quantity or volume;
- production code and production date;
- conformity of the Halal Label or Non-Halal Statement;
- consistency of slaughter information for certain halal meat products; and
- other supporting documents according to product characteristics.
For fresh animal products and certain processed products, a contamination risk assessment is also provided for.
This assessment may be conducted if halal and non-halal products are stored or loaded without separation, or if distribution equipment was previously used for non-halal products.
These provisions show that compliance for imported halal products concerns certification documents and, in certain circumstances, also goods handling during logistics.
The LPPH Becomes an Important Import Document
The results of Halal Product Assurance Verification are recorded in the Halal Product Assurance Verification Report, or LPPH.
The LPPH is an electronic document issued based on Halal Product Assurance Verification results and contains information on conformity or nonconformity.
It is then used as an attachment to the import customs declaration.
Importers must have an LPPH when submitting an import customs declaration under the applicable provisions.
Another particularly important matter is the LPPH’s validity.
BPJPH Regulation No. 4 of 2026 states that an LPPH is valid for one shipment or entry according to the data contained in it.
This means an LPPH from a previous shipment cannot automatically be reused for the next shipment.
For companies importing frequently, this provision needs to be included in shipment planning and company standard operating procedures.
Consider the Process Deadlines
Halal Product Assurance Verification also has specific time limits.
After BPJPH receives payment, the importer and/or exporter must provide information on the timing of Halal Product Assurance Verification within a maximum of 30 calendar days.
If this information is not provided within that period, the application may be rejected and the fee refunded.
After receiving the scheduling information, the inspection body must conduct Halal Product Assurance Verification within no more than 15 calendar days.
If the inspection requires additional time, the inspection body may request an extension from the Head of BPJPH for a maximum of 15 calendar days.
Because inspection takes place before shipment, the application schedule should not be set too close to the planned goods departure.
Importers, exporters, manufacturers, loading warehouses, and parties handling halal documents need a coordinated schedule.
What Are the Risks If Requirements Are Not Met?
This regulation governs monitoring and sanctions as well as administrative processes.
BPJPH may monitor the implementation of Halal Product Assurance Verification, including evaluating inspection body and importer compliance.
For importers, violations of certain obligations may result in administrative sanctions.
The sanctions specified in the regulation include:
- written warnings;
- revocation of the Halal Certificate;
- revocation of the Registration Number;
- withdrawal of goods from circulation; and/or
- destruction of goods.
These potential consequences make compliance reviews before shipment important, especially for products with large import volumes or values.
JHY Legal can help importers understand halal regulatory obligations concerning imported products, review document readiness, and identify matters needing attention before products enter Indonesia.
Preparation Before Shipment Becomes Increasingly Important
BPJPH Regulation No. 4 of 2026 reinforces the importance of preparing halal compliance before shipment.
Having a halal certificate is only one of the matters to consider. Importers also need to review the consistency of registration numbers, company documents, HS Codes, invoices, goods lists, production information, product labels, and Halal Product Assurance Verification requirements.
Companies importing regularly should begin including this process in internal procedures so that document reviews are not left until shipment dates are close.
With earlier planning, importers can reduce the risk of inconsistent documents and disruption to product entry into Indonesia.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Read the JHY Legal disclaimer at https://jhylegal.com/disclaimer/.