Sale of iPhone 16 still ‘illegal’ in Indonesia, says minister
On Tuesday (22 Oct), the Minister of Industry in Indonesia, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, said that the sale of the iPhone 16 has yet to be allowed in the country.
Mr Agus has also called upon the public to report such “operations”, stating that it is “definitely illegal”.
The Indonesian government is withholding the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) permit due to the American tech company’s failure to meet investment commitments, reports CNBC Indonesia.
Apple has reportedly only invested 1.48 trillion rupiah of the promised 1.71 trillion rupiah in Indonesia.
“We, the Ministry of Industry, cannot issue permits for the iPhone 16 at this time due to outstanding commitments that must be realised by Apple,” Mr Agus replied to CNBC Indonesia’s inquiries at the Ministry of Industry Office on Tuesday.
The minister also revealed that the iPhone 16 cannot be sold since Apple’s TKDN (Domestic Component Level) has expired and has not been extended.
The American company must cover the investment shortfall to extend its TKDN certificate to sell the devices.
Smartphones carried by visitors still allowed
However, the Industry Ministry’s spokesperson, Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, stated in Jakarta on Friday (25 Oct) that iPhone 16 devices brought into Indonesia by passengers, crew, or via mail for non-commercial purposes are permitted to enter the country.
He added that the iPhone 16 series brought in by passengers who pay taxes are considered personal baggage.
Mr Febri noted that between August and October, an estimated 9,000 units of the iPhone 16 series have been brought into Indonesia through consumers.
Although the devices are allowed to enter the country, each passenger can only carry two units of the phone, reports Indonesia news outlet Antara News.
Selling the phones that were brought in as personal items is also prohibited.
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Featured image adapted from Trans-Pacific Petrochemical Indotama and Apple, for illustration purposes only.
