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New Member Spotlight
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SELLING AND REGISTERING CONSUMER FOOD PRODUCTS IN
INDONESIA
Prepared by the US Commercial Center, US Department of Commerce, Jakarta, Indonesia
Need for a local agent/distributor
Since foreign companies cannot distribute at the retail
level, a local agent or distributor can be useful to build
sales. The typical buyer will be a national distributor or major
retailer. However, it is possible to make sales from off shore
to a qualified importer for many products.
Almost all
consumer food items are imported by companies with a general
importers license(IU=importer umum). Large entities, such as
supermarket chains, have their own importing and distribution
affiliates, although they also buy from independent importers.
Hotels and upmarket independent restaurants buy from many
different importers as well as local producers.
Click here to see a list of major food importers. Most have
their own frozen food storage facilities.
 | a registration application form |
| a sample
of food |
| a label and brochure |
| a letter of certification
from the foreign factory (FDA or equivalent) |
| a certificate
of health |
Approval Conditions of the Minister of Health
| food meets the quality standards of the Minister |
| is not prohibited in the country of origin |
| is not
harmful or will not negatively affect health |
| is free of
diseases contagious to people, plants, or animals |
Prohibitions
| food cannot be putrid, repugnant, dirty,
decayed or decomposed |
| contains diseased vegetable or animal
substances |
| contains or has present more parts or excrement
of insects than the maximum limit |
| contains or has present
more than the maximum limit of pesticides or other insecticides |
| contains more poisonous chemicals, minerals, or metalloid,
or additives than the maximum limit |
| contains more pathogenic
microorganisms than the maximum limit |
| is unfit for human
consumption or harmful to human health |
Approval
| After the
registration has been approved, the Ministry of Health will
issue a registration number (preceded by letters ML) which must
be clearly marked on the label of the food. |
Labels must be in the Indonesian or English language using
Roman letters.
Labels must contain the following
information:
| name of food and/or brand
name |
| ingredients, unless genially known to the public |
| net contents or net weight |
| name and address of food
producer, distributor or importer (including name of city and
country or origin) |
| registration number |
Additional Labeling Requirements for Certain Foods
| production code (lot
identifications) |
| expiration date for perishable foods as
determined by the Ministry of Health |
| storage instructions
(if required for certain foods such as milk products) |
| usage
instructions (preparation and handling) |
| nutritional value |
| Specific wording or statements indicating contents for
following products:
 | sweetened
condensed milk (ed.go. "Warning ! Not suitable for infants below
six months old") |
| food containing material of pig origin |
| milk and food containing milk, baby food and commercially
sterilized canned food (e.g. unsalted butter, contains no milk,
reconstituted cheese, very low sodium, light syrup) |
| artificial sweetener |
| breast milk substitute |
| food
additives |
| irradiated food |
| 'Halal' food |
Foods Requiring Expiration Dates
| Pasteurized milk |
| sterilized milk |
| fermented milk |
| dried milk/milk powder |
| food and beverages containing milk |
| baby food |
| commercial sterilized canned food |
| bread, biscuits and bread type products |
| low calorie food |
| nutrient supplement food |
| cocoa and cocoa products |
| nut and nut products |
| edible fat and oil |
| margarine |
| peanut butter |
| egg products |
| sausage |
| soft drinks( non-carbonated) |
| juice |
Determination of Date of Minimum Durability
| The producer shall determine the date |
| In determining the date marking, the producer shall take the
following steps
type of food, method of processing, packaging, storage
condition, availability of storage at the distribution areas |
| The producer or the importer must give the reasons or data
to support the minimum durability date. |
| The producer or importer bears the responsibility for the
date stated on labels. |
| Labeling Method |
| date must be stated in Day/Month/Year format for food with a
shelf life of up to 3 months, and shall be declared in
Month/Year format with a shelf life of more than 3 months. |
| The date can be indicated on the bottle top, bottom of a
can, on the upper part of a box and other suitable places, and
must be clear and legible |
| The label must also have a readily legible notice, as
follows, "Use best before ...(fill in date) |
| The package or wrapping of food containing material of pig
origin must bear a notice in the form of a picture of a pig and
a writing which reads: "contains pork" and shall be written in
red capital letters not smaller than Universal 12 point within a
red box |
antioxidant,
anticaking agent,
acidity, regulator,
artificial sweetener,
flour treatment, agent
emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener
preservative,
firming agent,
color,
flavor, flavor enhancer,
sequestrant
Each imported additive must be accompanied by a
Certificate of Analysis from the producer in the country of
origin
Expiration Date Restrictions
Foods must arrive in Indonesia (at the latest) according
to the following time schedule:
| 1.5 years before the expiration date for food with a shelf
life of 2 or more years |
| 8 months before the expiration date for food with a shelf
life of one year |
| 4 months before the expiration date for food with a shelf
life of 6 months |
| 2 months before the expiration date for food with a shelf
life of 3 months |
Documents To Be Forwarded to Ministry of Health
to Land Product
Photocopy of L/C, invoice, packing list, and bill of lading
Products Requiring a Halal Certificate
Foods containing:gelatin,tallow, shortening and/or animal fat
Certificate of Health Must Accompany Product
A Certificate of Health issued by the authorized body in the
country of origin must accompany all food products
Pre-Shipment Inspection Requirement
All shipments (including food) to Indonesia valued at or above
$5,000 must be inspected in the country of origin. These
inspections are carried out on behalf of the Indonesian
government by SGS (PT Surveyor Indonesia) at no charge to the
exporter. Shipments valued at less than $5,000 are inspected by
Indonesian Customs when they arrive at an Indonesian port. |
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