Indonesia's Mandatory Halal Certification for Imports: Deadline Moved to 2028
1. Two dates, not one: deadline ≠ enforcement date
| Date | Scope | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Oct 2024 (in force) | Domestic medium and large food & beverage businesses | PP 39/2021 Art.140, unchanged by PP 42/2024 |
| 🔴 17 Oct 2026 | All imported food & beverage (any scale) + domestic micro/small (UMK) F&B; raw materials, additives and processing aids; slaughtered products and slaughtering services | PP 42/2024 (the extension) |
| 17 Oct 2026 | Cosmetics, chemical and genetically engineered products, clothing/headwear/accessories, household and office goods, class A medical devices, traditional medicines and supplements | PP 39/2021 Art.141 |
| 18 Oct 2026 | Enforcement starts: BPJPH moves to active market supervision | PP 42/2024 |
| 17 Oct 2029 | Over-the-counter medicines, class B medical devices | PP 39/2021 |
| 17 Oct 2034 | Prescription medicines (psychotropics excluded), class C medical devices | PP 39/2021 |
| 17 Oct 2039 | Class D medical devices | PP 39/2021 |
The common mistake is remembering only the 2026 date. The accurate position: domestic medium and large F&B businesses have been in scope since 17 Oct 2024; imported F&B and domestic micro/small enterprises were set for 17 Oct 2026, but the 16 Oct 2026 amendment postponed enforcement to 2028.
2. Two routes: full certification vs SHLN registration
| Aspect | Full certification (SIHALAL) | Foreign-certificate registration (SHLN) |
|---|---|---|
| When it applies | No BPJPH-recognised foreign certificate, or the foreign body has an MRA but no authority for that product scope | The foreign certifier holds an MRA with BPJPH and its standards are accepted as equivalent |
| Who files | A foreign company cannot file on its own — it goes through an Indonesian import unit or authorised representative | The Indonesian importer files foreign halal certificate registration (SHLN) |
| Process | SIHALAL filing → LPH audit (e.g. LPPOM MUI) → MUI fatwa → BPJPH issues the certificate | Formality check → completeness correction → substantive review → approval notice → payment |
| Timeline | Commonly 3–6 months including document legalisation and the on-site audit | Up to 20 working days (5 formality + 5 correction + 5 substantive); payment within 7 days of approval |
| Key documents | Ingredient and additive list, process flow chart, halal assurance system (SJH) manual, business licences (NIB / NPWP) | Apostilled copy of the certificate, product HS code, letter of appointment, importer's business licence |
| Outcome | An Indonesian halal certificate; the Indonesian halal mark can be used directly | An SHLN registration number; the label must pair it with the foreign certificate number as prescribed |
An MRA is the precondition for SHLN. As of late 2025, BPJPH is reported to have signed mutual recognition agreements with 80-plus foreign halal bodies across 30-plus countries (sources vary between 87 and 89, with roughly 29 more under assessment). JAKIM or GCC accreditation does not carry over automatically — check the body against the current list.
3. Halal Positive List: what is exempt
| Category | Description | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Natural, no further processing, no additives | Plant-derived materials, non-slaughtered animal materials, microbial fermentation products, natural water | ✅ Generally exempt |
| No risk of haram contamination | Materials with no risk of containing or being contaminated by non-halal substances | ✅ Generally exempt |
| Non-hazardous chemicals | Mining-derived chemicals, purified natural materials, inorganic and organic synthesised chemicals (must contain no haram substances) | ✅ Generally exempt |
| Fresh fruit & vegetables (unwaxed, nothing added) | Unprocessed primary agricultural products | ✅ Possibly exempt — confirm per item |
| Waxed fruit | Surface coating applied | 🔴 Certification required |
| Frozen/dried fruit (with additions) | Added sugar, oil, flavourings | 🔴 Certification required |
| Seasoned/processed seafood | With sauces, spices or oil | 🔴 Certification required |
| GMO plant-derived ingredients | Ingredients sourced from genetically modified plants | 🔴 Certification required |
The dividing line is "has it been processed, and what was added". The same fruit can be exempt unwaxed but in scope once waxed, sweetened or flavoured. When in doubt, treat it as requiring certification.
4. Labelling, the HS code list and certificate validity
| Item | Rule | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Halal logo | Size, visibility and placement set by BPJPH rules and published through SIHALAL or company channels | BPJPH Circular Letter SE 7/2025 |
| HS code list | Lists Indonesian tariff codes (BTKI) for food, beverage, cosmetics and natural medicines subject to mandatory halal | BPJPH Decision 307/2025 |
| Labelling option 1 | Use the Indonesian halal mark with the foreign certificate number printed beneath it | Either option is acceptable |
| Labelling option 2 | Place the Indonesian halal mark next to the recognised foreign body's logo and registration number | Same as above |
| Non-halal products | Still importable and sellable, but the packaging must carry a non-halal mark; haram substances in the ingredient list must be printed in a different colour | The mark must be easy to see and read, and not easily erased, removed or damaged |
| Certificate validity | Valid indefinitely with no renewal while ingredients and the production process are unchanged; any change requires an update filing with BPJPH | PP 42/2024 (was 4 years under PP 39/2021) |
A labelling error is not just a fine risk — finished goods can become unsellable, and customs holds are an additional risk. SE 7/2025 sets explicit requirements on logo size and visibility; check each item before printing.
5. Key questions
What is the actual deadline for imported food and beverage?
Originally 17 October 2026, the deadline was postponed to 2028 by an amendment to PP 42/2024 announced on 16 October 2026. The basis remains PP 42/2024 amending PP 39/2021: originally 17 Oct 2024, extended to 17 Oct 2026, then postponed again to 2028.
Should I cite PP 39/2021 or PP 42/2024?
Both. PP 39/2021 Articles 139–141 establish the phased framework, product groupings and the original dates; PP 42/2024 changes the F&B timetable (imports and UMK to 17 Oct 2026), adds the enforcement start date, and makes certificates valid indefinitely. Citing only the former leaves the 2026 date unsupported.
Can a foreign company apply to BPJPH directly?
No. Foreign applicants must file through an Indonesian import unit or authorised representative. PP 42/2024 sets out this route and the three situations in which foreign-certificate registration applies (no halal body in the country of origin; an MRA body lacking authority for that product scope; no MRA or cooperation agreement).
How long does SHLN take and what does it need?
Up to 20 working days: 5 working days formality check, 5 more if documents are incomplete, then a 5-working-day substantive review; payment is due within 7 days of the approval notice. Documents include an apostilled copy of the certificate, the product HS code, a letter of appointment and the importer's business licence.
Can non-halal products still be imported?
Yes — they may be imported and sold, but must carry a non-halal mark. It can take the form of a picture, logo or text, placed on the packaging, on a part of the product, or at a specific location; haram substances in the ingredient list must be printed in a different colour. The mark must be easy to see and read, and not easily erased, removed or damaged.
What does the Halal Positive List exempt?
Natural materials with no further processing and no additives (plant-derived, non-slaughtered animal-derived, microbial fermentation products, natural water), materials with no risk of haram contamination, and non-hazardous chemicals containing no haram substances. The test is whether the product was processed and what was added.
How often must the halal certificate be renewed?
PP 42/2024 changed this: while ingredients and the production process (PPH) are unchanged the certificate is valid indefinitely with no renewal (PP 39/2021 set 4 years, with renewal due 3 months before expiry). Any change to ingredients, process or product development requires an update filing with BPJPH.
What happens if you are not compliant?
Administrative sanctions include written warnings, administrative fines, revocation of the halal certificate, and withdrawal of goods from the market. Practical risks add on top: customs holds, and finished goods left unsellable if labelling is wrong.
6. Official sources (traceable)
| Regulation / official entry | Status | What this page cites | Official text (links) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law 33/2014 (Halal Product Assurance) | 🟢 In force | The enabling law; established BPJPH, taking certification over from MUI | BPK searchDFAT guidance |
| PP 42/2024 (issued 18 Oct 2024) | 🟢 In force · the extension | Moved imported F&B and domestic UMK from 17 Oct 2024 to 17 Oct 2026; enforcement from 18 Oct; certificates valid indefinitely; sets the foreign-product filing route | BPK searchDFAT (states delayed) |
| PP 39/2021 (implementing regulation) | 🟢 In force (as amended by 42/2024) | Articles 139–141: the phased framework, product groupings and original timetable | BPK searchDFAT timetable |
| BPJPH Decision 90/2023 | 🟢 In force | Rules and document requirements for foreign halal certificate registration (SHLN) | halal.go.idBPK search |
| BPJPH Decision 307/2025 | 🟢 In force | HS code list subject to mandatory halal (food, beverage, cosmetics, natural medicines) | halal.go.id |
| BPJPH Circular Letter SE 7/2025 | 🟢 In force | Halal logo size, visibility, placement and publication requirements | halal.go.id |
| Minister of Religious Affairs Decree KMA 748/2021 | 🟢 In force | Extends scope to food service operators (restaurants, canteens, food stalls, catering) | BPK search |
| BPJHP portal / SIHALAL | 🟢 Official entry point | Certificate filing, MRA-recognised body list, registration number lookup | halal.go.id |
| MRA recognised body list | 🟡 Updated regularly | Precondition for SHLN: check whether the foreign certifier is listed (sources report 87–89 bodies / 30-plus countries) | halal.go.id |
Dates and rules on this page reflect official and authoritative sources verifiable on 2026-10-18. The halal HS list and the MRA list are updated continuously — re-check the current version at the official entry point before shipping.
Related pages
Agricultural products in & out of Indonesia (hub) Importing garlic into Indonesia Importing seeds into Indonesia Indonesia import compliance guide Compliance articles index Online tools D/O exchange guides
Lock in your route before 17 October
Send us the product name, ingredient list, HS code and any existing halal certificate. We will tell you whether it falls under full certification, SHLN, a Positive List exemption or non-halal labelling — then give you the timeline and document checklist.
More FAQs
What is the deadline for mandatory halal certification of imported food and beverage?
17 October 2026 for registration and compliance, with BPJPH starting active market supervision on 18 October 2026. This comes from PP 42/2024 amending PP 39/2021: originally 17 October 2024, with imports and domestic micro and small enterprises given a two-year extension.
Can non-halal products still be imported into Indonesia?
Yes. They may be imported and sold provided the packaging carries a non-halal mark, which may be a picture, logo or text placed on the packaging, on a part of the product or at a specific location. Haram substances in the ingredient list must be printed in a different colour, and the mark must be easy to see and read and not easily erased, removed or damaged.
How often must an Indonesian halal certificate be renewed?
PP 42/2024 made certificates valid indefinitely with no renewal while ingredients and the production process are unchanged. Under PP 39/2021 the term was four years with renewal due three months before expiry. Any change to ingredients, process or product development requires an update filing with BPJPH.