iPhone 16 Sales Ban to Be Lifted in Indonesia as Apple Gets Green Light
Jakarta, April 9, 2025 โ Apple has officially announced that its iPhone 16 series will go on sale in Indonesia starting April 11, signaling the end of a months-long sales ban in Southeast Asiaโs largest economy.
The ban, initially imposed in October 2024, stemmed from Appleโs non-compliance with a local regulation requiring 40% of phone components to be sourced or produced locally. However, after intense negotiations and a revised investment offer, Apple has finally received the go-ahead to resume sales.
Apple Strikes $150 Million Deal with Indonesian Government
Following the rejection of its original $100 million proposal, the tech giant returned to the table with a $150 million investment plan, which includes the construction of two new facilities: one in Bandung (West Java) to produce accessories, and another in Batam to manufacture AirTags.
Additionally, Apple has committed to launching a semiconductor R&D center, which Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita hailed as the โfirst of its kind in Asia.โ
Certification and Compliance Achieved
The Indonesian Ministry of Industry has reportedly approved local certificates for more than a dozen Apple products, paving the way for legal sales. Moreover, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs confirmed Apple has obtained the necessary transmission certification for telecom devices.
While the Indonesian government had previously allowed personal imports of iPhones that were not for resale, commercial availability had remained blocked until now.
Indonesiaโs Tough Tech Localisation Law
Indonesiaโs strict 40% local content rule, aimed at boosting the domestic electronics manufacturing sector, has affected multiple global tech firms. Alongside Apple, Googleโs Pixel smartphones have also been banned from being sold due to non-compliance with the same policy.
With over 280 million consumers, Indonesia is a key emerging market for tech giants, and this regulatory breakthrough signals Appleโs renewed commitment to long-term growth in the region.
