Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin), plans to block the IMEI of approximately 9,000 units of the iPhone 16 that entered the country without official authorization. These units reportedly entered through non-official channels, bypassing regulatory requirements for imported telecommunications devices.
According to Kemenperin spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arif, while iPhone 16 devices brought into Indonesia by travelers are legally permitted for personal use, their status changes to “illegal” if they are sold domestically. The ministry clarified that iPhones must remain for personal use, as specified during the import process, and should not be resold in the Indonesian market.
The Ministry is now considering a measure to deactivate the IMEI of iPhone 16 units entering as personal imports but subsequently sold in Indonesia. This decision could significantly impact Indonesians who buy iPhone 16 devices through international e-commerce platforms or shipping services, warning of the risk that these devices may become unusable in Indonesia if their IMEI is blocked.
IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a unique code that serves as an identifier for telecommunications devices, allowing authorities to block non-compliant devices from local networks.
In a related statement, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto mentioned that official authorization for the iPhone 16 in Indonesia hinges on Apple’s compliance with Indonesia’s Domestic Component Level (TKDN) requirements. Currently, Apple has not met these domestic production stipulations for the iPhone 16. While other smartphone brands like Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi meet TKDN requirements by assembling their products within Indonesia, Apple has maintained an exemption, initially granted based on its investment in the Apple Academy. However, this agreement has expired, and Apple would need to reinvest to regain official sales rights for the iPhone 16 in Indonesia.
iPhone 16 Banned in Indonesia, Urges Apple to Meet Local Production Standards
According to BloombergTechnoz.com, about 9,000 units of the iPhone 16 have entered Indonesia since its launch in the United States. Despite its popularity, the iPhone 16 remains restricted from official sales in the country due to non-compliance with the TKDN requirements.
The government’s decision to enforce strict IMEI blocking reflects Indonesia’s commitment to regulating telecom imports and enforcing local content rules. This move is expected to reduce the influx of non-compliant smartphones into the market and encourage foreign manufacturers, like Apple, to adhere to domestic regulations if they wish to maintain a legal market presence in Indonesia.
(Becky)
