Indonesia: Permendag 18/2026 revises surveyor reports and import approval
Enacted on 4 June 2026, regulation Permendag No. 18/2026 amends Indonesia's procedures for surveyor reports, import approval validation and the handling of port cargo holds, building on Permendag 16/2025 on import policy.
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Indonesia's Ministry of Trade issued, on 3 June 2026 and enacted on 4 June 2026, Permendag No. 18 Tahun 2026, which amends Permendag No. 16 Tahun 2025 on import policy and regulation, the reference text intended to simplify procedures previously seen as overly complex and inconsistent.
The amendment specifically covers surveyor reports (Laporan Surveyor) required for certain categories of goods, the validation procedure for import approvals (Persetujuan Impor), importers' reporting obligations, and the resolution of cargo holds at ports.
The text maintains tighter controls on goods deemed sensitive, including textiles and clothing, footwear, electronics, consumer goods and certain industrial raw materials, which remain subject to technical recommendation, import permit or inspection report depending on the case.
Indonesian importers of these product categories are affected, as are the accredited surveyors responsible for issuing the inspection reports required before or on arrival of the goods.
What it changes for an importer
For an importer bringing goods into or out of Indonesia that are subject to a surveyor report, this text changes how that report is validated and how a port cargo hold is handled administratively: it is best to check the exact procedure applicable to one's product category with the accredited surveyor before shipment. Sorva can coordinate with the Chinese factory to prepare the documents needed for this report before loading, without standing in for the Indonesian importer or their surveyor, who alone are responsible for compliance on arrival.
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