Apple Inc. has been banned from selling its iPhone 16 in Indonesia because it did not meet the country’s rule requiring that at least 40% of the phone’s components be made locally. According to Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, a spokesperson for Indonesia’s industry ministry, the iPhone 16 did not meet this requirement and therefore cannot be officially sold within the country.
Despite this restriction, individuals can still bring the iPhone 16 into Indonesia for personal use, provided they pay the necessary import taxes. However, Apple Indonesia has not yet fulfilled the investment commitments needed to gain local content certification, which is essential for complying with Indonesian regulations.
This situation underscores Indonesia’s push to increase local production and encourage global companies to invest in the country’s manufacturing sector. By mandating a higher percentage of local components, the government aims to boost job creation and support economic growth.
Apple’s inability to meet these requirements means it will lose access to a key Southeast Asian market for its new iPhone 16. While this may not prevent determined customers from acquiring the phones for personal use, it limits Apple’s official sales channels and visibility within Indonesia, which could impact their market share.
The situation highlights the challenges that international tech companies can face when navigating local regulations and fulfilling regional investment requirements.
