A product already has a halal certificate from its country of origin. The issuing institution’s name is also clearly stated. For an exporter or importer, this may seem sufficient to demonstrate that the product meets halal standards.
However, when the product is to enter Indonesia, the questions extend beyond “does the product have a halal certificate?”
The next questions are: who issued the certificate, does the institution have a recognition relationship with BPJPH, has the certificate been registered, and does the issuing institution’s country match the product’s production location?
BPJPH Regulation No. 4 of 2026 gives particular attention to these aspects in Halal Product Assurance Verification for overseas products entering Indonesia.
For importers, understanding the relationship between the Foreign Halal Certificate (SHLN), Foreign Halal Institution (LHLN), Registration Number, and Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) is important before shipment.
What Is a Foreign Halal Certificate, or SHLN?
BPJPH Regulation No. 4 of 2026 defines a Foreign Halal Certificate (SHLN) as a halal certificate issued by a Foreign Halal Institution that has entered into an agreement with BPJPH on mutual recognition of halal certificates.
This definition shows that not every halal certificate issued overseas automatically has the same standing in the process of bringing products into Indonesia.
The issuing institution is an important factor.
What Is an LHLN?
A Foreign Halal Institution (LHLN) is an institution based overseas with authority to conduct inspections, testing, and/or issue halal certificates.
In the context of this regulation, the LHLN must also have a mutual recognition agreement for Halal Certificates with BPJPH within its scope.
Importers should therefore do more than accept a copy of a halal certificate from a supplier. They should also review the institution that issued it.
Why Might a Halal Certificate from Overseas Be Insufficient?
There is a difference between having a document called a “halal certificate” and meeting the requirements used in Indonesia’s Halal Product Assurance mechanism.
BPJPH Regulation No. 4 of 2026 specifically governs inspections of products with an SHLN.
During Halal Product Assurance Verification, inspectors must ensure that products with an SHLN:
- have been registered;
- have a certificate issued by an LHLN from the same country as the production location; and
- have a certificate issued by an LHLN with cooperation covering the relevant mutual recognition or MRA scope.
These three aspects need to be considered together.
In other words, importers should not conclude that holding a foreign halal certificate alone automatically resolves every aspect of imported halal product compliance.
JHY Legal can help companies conduct an initial review of the halal document structure for overseas products and identify matters to check before planning their entry into Indonesia.
Why Does the Country of Production Matter?
One important provision in BPJPH Regulation No. 4 of 2026 concerns the relationship between the LHLN’s country and the product’s production location.
During Halal Product Assurance Verification, products using an SHLN must be checked to ensure the certificate was issued by an LHLN from the same country as their production location.
An Example Involving a Multinational Company
Imagine a brand headquartered in Country A, with its products manufactured at a factory in Country B.
The company then supplies a halal certificate associated with a halal institution in Country A.
In this situation, the importer should look beyond the brand, company headquarters, or exporting country. The actual production location and the country of the LHLN issuing the SHLN also need review.
This example is illustrative, but shows why companies with cross-border supply chains need clear data on the production location of each SKU.
One brand may have products made in several countries. Halal documents consequently need review at product and production-location level, rather than only at brand level.
How Does the SHLN Relate to the MRA?
An MRA, or mutual recognition agreement, is an important element in the recognition of foreign halal institutions under this regulation.
The BPJPH regulation defines an SHLN as a certificate issued by an LHLN that has entered into a mutual recognition agreement for Halal Certificates with BPJPH.
However, the existence of cooperation alone is not necessarily the only information to review.
The MRA Scope Also Needs to Match
The regulation states that cooperation must match the scope of mutual recognition or the MRA.
Importers therefore need to consider whether the issuing institution and its recognition scope match the products to be imported.
This is particularly important for companies with diverse product portfolios, such as food, beverages, cosmetics, raw materials, or other product categories.
The review should be based on the actual products that will enter Indonesia.
What Is a Registration Number?
BPJPH Regulation No. 4 of 2026 also uses the term Registration Number, or Nomor Registrasi.
A Registration Number is an SHLN registration number issued by BPJPH.
When an importer applies for Halal Product Assurance Verification, the products must have a Halal Certificate or Registration Number, or comply with the Non-Halal Statement provisions for products made from prohibited ingredients.
The Registration Number Is Also Checked on the Product
During Halal Product Assurance Verification, inspection may include validation of the Halal Certificate number or Registration Number on product packaging.
The product type is also checked against the list attached to the Halal Certificate or SHLN registration.
This demonstrates the importance of consistency between certificates, registration data, packaging, and the physical products to be shipped.
The SHLN Remains Connected to Halal Product Assurance Verification
Meeting SHLN requirements does not mean the importer may bypass Halal Product Assurance Verification under BPJPH Regulation No. 4 of 2026.
Verification takes place in the country of loading and/or the product’s country of origin after the importer applies.
The inspection must be conducted directly at the loading warehouse before goods are shipped.
What Is Inspected?
Besides SHLN and LHLN matters, inspection may cover:
- administrative data and documents;
- product types;
- Halal Certificate numbers or Registration Numbers;
- HS Codes;
- quantity or volume;
- production codes;
- production dates;
- product units;
- Halal Labels or Non-Halal Statements; and
- other supporting documents or information.
The results of Halal Product Assurance Verification are then recorded in the Halal Product Assurance Verification Report, or LPPH.
The LPPH is used as an attachment to the import customs declaration and is valid for one shipment or entry according to the data it contains.
What Should Importers Check Before Shipment?
For products relying on an SHLN, importers should review documents early rather than waiting until goods are ready to depart.
1. Confirm the Product’s Production Location
Identify the country and facility where the products to be imported are actually manufactured.
This is particularly important if a supplier or brand uses several production facilities in different countries.
2. Check the Certificate’s Issuing Institution
Ensure that the certificate was issued by an LHLN relevant to the product’s production location.
3. Check the Recognition Relationship with BPJPH
Ensure that the LHLN has cooperation or mutual recognition with BPJPH and that its scope matches.
4. Confirm Registration Status
Check the Registration Number associated with the SHLN and its consistency with the products to be imported.
5. Match the Product and Packaging
The product name, certificate or registration number, label, and packaging information need to be consistent with the documents used.
6. Coordinate with Import Documents
SHLN data does not stand alone. HS Codes, invoices, product order lists, quantities, production codes, and production dates may also be inspected during Halal Product Assurance Verification.
The Greatest Risk Is Assuming All Foreign Certificates Are the Same
Importers need to avoid a simplistic approach: the supplier provides a halal certificate, and the document is then automatically treated as sufficient for Indonesian processing.
BPJPH Regulation No. 4 of 2026 shows that the review is more specific.
The issuing institution, country of production, registration status, MRA scope, product conformity, and shipment documents may all form part of Halal Product Assurance Verification.
JHY Legal can assist importers and foreign companies in reviewing halal document readiness for overseas products, mapping relevant requirements, and identifying potential nonconformities before shipment.
Conclusion
A foreign halal certificate is an important part of imported product compliance, but its existence should not be considered in isolation.
For products with an SHLN, BPJPH Regulation No. 4 of 2026 provides for checks on registration status, the issuing LHLN, whether the LHLN’s country matches the production location, and cooperation within the relevant mutual recognition or MRA scope.
For companies with international supply chains, this makes mapping production locations and halal documents increasingly important.
Before scheduling shipment, importers should ensure that their documents are both valid and consistent with the product, production facility, issuing institution, registration, and Halal Product Assurance Verification requirements applicable to 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/.