Apple’s new iPhone 16 series, which was released in September, cannot be sold in Indonesia as the company has failed to meet local investment targets in the country. In a statement on October 26, Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arif said, “The iPhone 16 brought by travelers and subject to tax is a personal item, not for sale, and is for the traveler’s personal use only.” Each traveler is allowed to bring a maximum of two iPhone 16s into Indonesia.
Between August and October, about 9,000 iPhone 16s entered Indonesia as personal baggage and taxes were paid. However, if these phones are sold in Indonesia, they will be considered illegal.
Non-commercial iPhone 16 devices entering Indonesia through the postal service are also allowed as they are not required to meet local investment targets.
Indonesia’s Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said on October 22 that Apple had not yet fulfilled its commitment to invest Rp 1.71 trillion in Indonesia, a prerequisite for obtaining a license to sell the phone locally.Agus said Apple had invested Rp 1.48 trillion so far. Apple said on October 11, “We are deeply committed to the Indonesian market and look forward to bringing all of our latest products, including the iPhone 16 series, to our customers as soon as possible.”
