Travelers heading to Indonesia with an iPhone 16 should be aware of a newly imposed ban on the sale and use of the device. The ban, announced by Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, applies to any iPhone 16 operating within Indonesian borders. The restriction will remain in place until Apple meets specific local investment requirements.
The ban stems from Apple’s failure to meet the necessary investment targets outlined by Indonesia’s TKDN (Domestic Component Level) mandate. Despite Apple investing 1.48 trillion rupiah ($95 million) of its pledged 1.71 trillion rupiah ($110 million), the tech giant still falls short by 230 billion rupiah ($14.75 million). Under TKDN, products sold in Indonesia must contain at least 40% local content, which includes components, labor, and facilities.
Without fulfilling this requirement, Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry has withheld the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) certification for the iPhone 16. This means that any iPhone 16 found in use within the country is considered illegal and unlicensed. The ban directly affects travelers and digital nomads planning to visit Indonesia with the latest Apple device.
The iPhone 16’s global release on September 20, alongside the iPhone 16 Pro and Apple Watch Series 10, has not extended to Indonesia due to the missed investment commitments. The Ministry of Industry’s spokesperson, Febri Hendri Antoni Arif, confirmed that the TKDN certification application is under review, contingent upon Apple’s compliance with its investment obligations.
This development follows Apple CEO Tim Cook’s visit to Jakarta earlier this year, where discussions with President Joko Widodo explored potential manufacturing opportunities in the country. However, until the investment is completed, Apple’s latest flagship products remain unavailable in Indonesia, with severe consequences for those attempting to use the devices during their travels.
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