Over in Indonesia, iPhone 16 is Banned. Here’s What Happened

You should know that TikTok might be banned in the US soon, but have you heard of a phone model being “banned” in a country?

Well, Indonesia has kind of “banned” the model.

Here’s what happened.

Summary of the iPhone 16 Ban in Indonesia

In a move that you probably didn’t expect, Indonesia has implemented a ban on Apple’s iPhone 16, declaring both its sale illegal within the country’s borders.

The phone has not been released in Indonesia (yet).

The model was released in selected countries since 20 September 2024, with Singapore’s release on 20 September.

The announcement, made by Indonesia’s Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, has created considerable concern among consumers and tourists alike.

However, don’t worry if you’re a tourist in Indonesia using an iPhone 16; the Industry Ministry said that those are considered personal belongings, so they are fine. Or in their own words, “iPhone 16 units brought by passengers and subject to taxes are personal belongings that cannot be sold and are limited to the passenger’s personal use.”

But what happened?

The primary reason for this unprecedented action stems from Apple’s failure to meet its investment commitments in Indonesia.

The tech giant had pledged to invest 1.71 trillion Rupiah (approximately $110 million) but has only managed to invest 1.48 trillion Rupiah ($95 million), falling short by 230 billion Rupiah ($14.75 million).

This shortfall has directly impacted Apple’s ability to obtain the necessary certifications for operating in Indonesia.

And with that, the ban is tied to two crucial regulatory requirements.

First, the iPhone 16 therefore lacks the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) certification required for use in Indonesia. Second, and perhaps more significantly, Apple has failed to meet Indonesia’s Domestic Component Level (TKDN) certification requirements, which mandate that 40% of a product’s content must be sourced domestically.

Apple’s Previous Engagements

The situation is particularly noteworthy given Apple CEO Tim Cook’s visit to Jakarta in April 2024, where he met with then President Joko Widodo to discuss potential manufacturing plans in Indonesia.

During this visit, Cook had explored options for establishing production facilities in the country and made commitments regarding research and development centres.

In order for iPhone 16 to be sold in Indonesia, Apple must therefore fulfill its remaining investment commitments and meet the TKDN certification requirements to resume normal operations in Indonesia.

To know more about iPhone 16 and its impact on the industry altogether, watch this to the end: