Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) of Indonesia has recorded 5,448 units of iPhone 16 entering the country. Although the sale of iPhone 16 is officially prohibited in Indonesia, these devices entered the nation as personal belongings of travelers.
Nirwala Dwi Heryanto, Director of Customs Communication and Service User Guidance, clarified that these units were legally reported to customs upon entry as part of passengers’ personal belongings.
“Travelers from abroad are allowed to bring mobile phones, tablets, or computers, with a limit of two units per person per year. As long as this requirement is met, it is considered legal,” Nirwala explained during a press conference at the DJBC headquarters in Jakarta on Friday, January 10, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
He added that travelers must register the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of the devices and pay the required tax upon entry.
For iPhone 16 devices to be operational in Indonesia, owners must settle all applicable import taxes and duties. This includes an 11% value-added tax (VAT) and a 10% income tax for individuals with a taxpayer identification number (NPWP).
Upon fulfilling these obligations, the device’s IMEI can be activated for use. Meanwhile, failure to complete the required payments for taxes and fees would result in the device’s IMEI being blocked.
Nirwala also emphasized that while carrying iPhone 16 units as personal items is legal, any attempt to sell them without proper authorization would be deemed illegal.
Over 5.000 Units Through October
According to CNBC Indonesia, Chotibul Umam, Sub-Director of Imports at DJBC, the recorded figure of 5,448 units includes data collected through October 2024.
These devices primarily entered the country via major airports and not through Free Trade and Free Port Zones (KPBPB). “At airports, such as Soekarno-Hatta, Juanda, Ngurah Rai, and Kuala Namu airports, regulations for passenger goods are applied,” said Chotib.
“Passenger items are classified into two categories: personal belongings and non-personal goods,” he further explained. “As mentioned earlier, if the items are personal belongings, they are exempt from trade restrictions under Article 34 of Trade Ministry Regulation 36. However, if even one item is found to be intended for resale, it cannot be approved.”
Discrepancy in Data
While DJBC recorded 5,448 iPhone 16 units entering Indonesia, the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) reported a higher figure. Kemenperin noted that as of November 10, 2024, 11,000 units had entered the country, primarily brought in by returning travelers.
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Despite that, Febri Hendri Antoni Arif, spokesperson for Kemenperin, also emphasized that while travelers are permitted to bring iPhone 16 units for personal use, any evidence of resale would lead to IMEI deactivation.
“If there is proof that these devices are being sold, we will block their IMEI,” Arif said during a press briefing in Jakarta on Thursday, November 21, as reported by CNN Indonesia.
Enforcement actions against unauthorized sales would involve law enforcement agencies, he added. “From our side, the primary step is to deactivate the IMEI of these devices.”
(Raidi/Agung)
