New Import Rules for Agricultural & Livestock Products in Indonesia: Key Takeaways from Permendag 18/2025

Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade has issued Minister of Trade Regulation (Permendag) Number 18 of 2025, replacing Permendag 8 of 2024. This regulation reshapes how agricultural and livestock products enter the country, tightening procedures, adding oversight, and introducing clearer conditions for exemptions.

Set to take effect in August 2025, the rules affect importers, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), and producers across multiple commodity sectors. Understanding these changes now is crucial to ensuring your supply chain remains compliant and uninterrupted.

Key Takeaways

• Effective August 2025, Permendag 18/2025 replaces Permendag 8/2024 and introduces stricter control over agricultural and livestock imports.
• PI (Persetujuan Impor) and LS (Laporan Surveyor) are now mandatory for all covered commodities before goods enter Indonesia.
• Exemptions exist for specific zones and export schemes — but vanish once goods enter the domestic market.
• Electronic reporting is required, with sanctions for non-compliance.
• Transitional rules allow certain existing PI (Persetujuan Impor) to remain valid until expiry.

Which commodities fall under Permendag 18/2025?

Permendag 18/2025 explicitly covers livestock and animal products, rice, sugar, corn, garlic, and horticultural products. Within rice, it distinguishes three import channels:

1. General-purpose rice — imported by SOEs with a General Importer Identification Number (API-U).
2. Rice for other purposes — imported by producers with a Producer Importer Identification Number (API-P).
3. Rice for other purposes — imported by SOEs with an API-U.

What import documents are now mandatory for these commodities?

All imports in the covered commodity list must now meet two mandatory requirements:

1. Import Approval (PI) — issued by the Ministry of Trade before goods enter the Indonesian Customs Territory.
2. Surveyor Report (LS) — produced by an independent surveyor appointed by the Minister, confirming technical verification or inspection.

How can businesses import for price stabilization or supply security?

To support stable market prices and sufficient domestic stock, both SOEs and private companies can apply for PI under certain conditions:

• They must first obtain a recommendation from the relevant technical ministry.
• Applications must comply with the national commodity balance quota.

Are any zones or schemes exempt from PI and LS requirements?

Some imports are exempt from PI and technical verification:

• Goods entering Free Trade Zones and Free Ports (KPBPB).
• Goods entering Special Economic Zones (KEK).
• Goods entering Bonded Zones (TPB).

However, if these goods are later moved into the Indonesian Customs Territory, all PI and LS requirements will apply. The same applies to goods imported under the Import Facility for Export Purposes (KITE) scheme — initially exempt, but fully regulated if diverted to the domestic market.

What reporting duties and sanctions does the regulation impose?

Importers with a PI must:

• Report electronically on import realization and distribution, even if there is no realization.
• Submit the Surveyor Report (LS) electronically.

Failure to meet these obligations can trigger administrative sanctions under Article 17, applied according to Indonesia’s prevailing import policies. Additionally, PI and LS details must be included in the customs declaration. Shipments without them will be rejected by customs.

What transitional rules apply to existing permits and applications?

Valid PI issued under Permendag 8/2024 remain usable until they expire, and PI applications lodged before the new rule takes effect will be processed so long as they do not conflict with Permendag 18/2025. This grace period gives businesses a limited time to adjust without disrupting in-progress shipments.

How can Permitindo help you stay compliant under Permendag 18/2025?

Permitindo’s Business Licensing & Regulatory Advisory team already secures NIB, SIUP and industry-specific permits, plus BPOM and halal certifications, so we can also guide your PI filings, coordinate accredited surveyors for LS issuance, and flag any follow-on approvals your agricultural or livestock imports may trigger; delivering concise, up-to-date advice through the same experts who publish our import-regulation briefings.

For a quick compliance check, email [email protected] or fill in the form below.