Indonesia Ministry of Trade Introduces Import Ban on Sugar, Rice, and Mercury-Containing Medical Devices

Summary of the Update

The regulation explicitly prohibits the importation of certain categories of goods. These include sugar in raw, refined, and white forms, as well as specific types of rice. It also bans the import of hazardous chemicals, notably pharmaceutical active ingredients such as Lindane and Sibutramine. In addition, the regulation restricts the importation of medical devices containing mercury, reinforcing controls related to environmental and health risks.

By replacing earlier rules, the regulation updates and consolidates import restrictions to reflect evolving regulatory priorities. Importers are required to assess their product classifications against the updated list to ensure compliance.

The update directly affects food importers, particularly those dealing with sugar and rice, as well as organizations involved in pharmaceutical ingredients and medical devices. Importers that fail to comply with the new restrictions may face penalties under applicable laws, creating tangible regulatory and commercial risks.

Effective Date

The regulation enters into force on January 1, 2026, and compliance is mandatory from this date onward.

Why It Matters

This update provides clearer regulatory direction on restricted imports while aligning trade controls with environmental and safety considerations. By consolidating and updating import bans, the regulation supports more efficient enforcement and reduces ambiguity for regulated entities, while maintaining a focused compliance burden.

Who This Is Relevant For

This regulation is particularly relevant for Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance, Compliance, Supply Chain, and Procurement teams, as well as IT and data teams responsible for product classification and trade documentation.

Next Steps

Stakeholders should review their product portfolios to identify any goods affected by the updated import bans. Regulatory and compliance teams are advised to work closely with procurement and supply chain functions to adjust sourcing strategies and ensure full compliance before January 1, 2026. 

As organizations assess the impact of these import restrictions across multiple product categories and jurisdictions, having timely regulatory visibility becomes critical. RegASK is a leading agentic AI regulatory intelligence and workflow orchestration platform that empowers global organizations in highly regulated sectors, including consumer products and life sciences, to proactively navigate complex regulatory landscapes. By combining advanced Agentic AI with experts in the loop, RegASK delivers timely predictive actionable insights and end-to-end automation, helping teams monitor trade restrictions, mitigate compliance risks, and streamline decision-making across more than 140 countries. Learn more or book a demo now. 

FAQs

What goods are banned under the new Ministry of Trade regulation?

The regulation bans the importation of sugar, specific types of rice, hazardous chemicals such as Lindane and Sibutramine, and medical devices containing mercury.

When does the import ban take effect?

The import restrictions take effect on January 1, 2026, and compliance is required from that date.

Who is affected by this regulation?

The regulation affects importers across food, pharmaceutical, and medical device industries, particularly those dealing with the specified restricted goods.

How can RegASK help organizations manage this update?

RegASK helps organizations track regulatory changes, assess their impact on product portfolios, and coordinate compliance actions across teams through AI-driven regulatory intelligence and workflow orchestration.