iPhone 16 allowed into Indonesia for personal use, not sold, government says

Indonesian Ministry of Industry said that travelers to Indonesia can bring their iPhone 16s into the country, but the sale of the phones is not allowed.

iPhone 16, It was released by US technology giant Apple in September.The company cannot be sold in Indonesia because it cannot meet Indonesia’s local investment targets.

However, the phones can be brought to Indonesia if they are for personal use or sent via courier service, Jakarta Globe newspaper reported.

“The taxable iPhone 16 units brought by passengers are personal items that cannot be sold and are limited to the passenger’s personal use,” Ministry of Industry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arif said in a statement on October 26.

Each passenger is allowed to bring a maximum of two iPhone 16s to Indonesia, Jakarta Globe reported.

Between August and October, approximately 9,000 iPhone 16s entered Indonesia as personal baggage, duty-paid. However, if the phones are sold in Indonesia, they will be considered illegal.

iPhone 16 units entering Indonesia through postal services for non-commercial use are also allowed as they do not need to meet the local investment target.

Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said on October 22 that Apple had not yet fulfilled its commitment to invest 1.71 trillion rupiah (S$144.6 million) in Indonesia to obtain a license to sell phones locally, The Jakarta Post reported. he said. .

Mr. Agus said Apple has invested 1.48 trillion rupees so far.

Apple said on October 11 that it was “deeply committed to Indonesia and excited to bring all of our newest products, including the iPhone 16 series, to our customers as quickly as possible,” The Jakarta Post reported.