Strong Demand for iPhone 16 Persists in Indonesia Amid Regulatory Standoff
JAKARTA, investortrust.id – As of November 2024, Indonesia's Ministry of Industry reported that over 12,000 units of Apple's iPhone 16 have entered the country through passenger baggage and diplomatic channels, highlighting strong demand for the devices despite the company's ongoing disagreements with the government over local investment requirement.
These devices have been registered in the Centralized Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), which tracks the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers of telecommunication devices nationwide.
"More than 12,000 units of the iPhone 16 series have their IMEIs registered in our CEIR system," stated Ministry spokesperson Febri at a press briefing in South Jakarta on Monday, January 13, 2025.
Febri explained that travelers bringing iPhone 16 units into Indonesia must register the devices' IMEI numbers to ensure functionality within the country. For diplomats, activation procedures are coordinated through the Ministry of Communication and Digital.
Additionally, IMEI registration and the payment of applicable taxes and import duties for these devices are managed by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. Mobile operators are also authorized to issue temporary IMEI numbers for specific periods.
Despite the influx of iPhone 16 units, Apple remains prohibited from officially selling the iPhone 16 in Indonesia. The Indonesian government has enforced a ban due to Apple's non-compliance with local content regulations, which mandate that 40% of smartphone components be sourced domestically.
Apple's proposal to invest $1 billion in a facility producing AirTag devices on Batam Island was deemed insufficient, as accessories do not count toward the local content requirements for smartphones.
Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita emphasized that Apple's investment plans did not meet the necessary criteria to lift the sales ban on the iPhone 16. He stated that further negotiations are required for Apple to obtain the local content certificates essential for legal sales within the country.
As a result, while individual units of the iPhone 16 are entering Indonesia through personal imports, official sales remain suspended until Apple fulfills the government's local content requirements.