The iPhone 16 series is banned from being officially sold in Indonesia, here’s why

Just slightly over a month ago, specifically on the 10th of September 2024, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16 series to the world. Sales for the brand’s latest smartphones started on the 20th of September 2024, with Malaysia being one of the markets to begin receiving the iPhone 16 on that day.

However, it’s a different story for one of our neighbouring countries, Indonesia, as sales of the iPhone 16 are currently not allowed due to Apple not fulfilling certain government requirements, according to the Indonesian government.

iPhone 16 required to be made out of 40% locally sourced components

According to Indonesia Industry Minister, Agus Gumiwang, sales of the iPhone 16 won’t be allowed in the archipelago unless Apple renews its local content requirements certification or TKDN, and fulfils its investment commitments.

Mr Agus said, “Apple’s iPhone 16 cannot be sold yet in Indonesia as the extension of the TKDN certification is still pending, awaiting further investment realisation from Apple.”

To obtain the certification, Apple products need to meet the minimum Domestic Component Level value requirement of 40%, which essentially means that products like the iPhone 16 need to be made out of at least 40% of locally sourced components. According to Mr Agus, Apple has fallen short in this regard.

“Apple’s investment realisation has only reached IDR1.48 trillion (approx. RM407.3 million), falling short of its total commitment of IDR1.71 trillion (approx. RM470.6 million),” the minister said.

Apple previously secured the TKDN certification, which allowed the company to sell their products in Indonesia. However, the certificate has since expired and needs to be renewed. If the American tech giant fulfils its investment commitment, the Indonesian government will allow the latest iPhones to be sold in the country.

How are the people of Indonesia reacting to the ban?

How did the people of Indonesia react to this news? Well, some support the government’s decision, thinking that it’s important for companies like Apple to meet local requirements, while others don’t find it necessary, calling it a bureaucracy.

Apple fans in Indonesia have often preferred to purchase devices from Apple stores in neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore, according to Bloomberg Technoz.

Calculations done by Bloomberg Technoz show that to bring an iPhone 16 that has been purchased from Singapore back to Indonesia, one will need to pay up to IDR18 million (approx. RM4,944). This is due to additional costs contributed by tax and International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) registration fees.

For context, prices for the iPhone 16 in Singapore start at SGD1,299 (approx. RM4,264) for the 128GB model. Meanwhile in Malaysia, that same phone costs RM3,999. Just in case you missed it, the iPhone 16 series made its launch on the 10th of September 2024. Those phones were made available for purchase on the 20th of September, with Malaysia being among the first markets to receive Apple’s latest smartphones, a first for our country.

iPhone 15 entered the Indonesian market rather late too

Assuming that the iPhone 16 series will make its entry into the Indonesian market in the next few weeks or months, this isn’t the first time Apple has introduced its iPhones late to the market.

In fact, the iPhone 15 series was also late to the party in Indonesia last year. Launched on the 13th of September 2023, the smartphone series only reached Indonesian shores at the end of October of that same year. For comparison, the iPhone 15 series was already available for pre-booking in Malaysia on the 22nd of September 2023, with sales beginning on the 29th of September 2023.

[SOURCE]