Imported food: halal readiness

Original September 2026 briefing

Food importers should review certification readiness with overseas suppliers before Indonesia’s October 2026 milestone. For businesses already trading, the immediate priority is checking the products and supply chains they rely on.

What changed

Government Regulation 42/2024 extended the transition for relevant imported food and beverage products to no later than 17 October 2026. US Commerce guidance describes that extension and notes that meat and meat products are excluded from its general description. Australian government guidance identifies 18 October 2026 as the next implementation milestone.

Who is affected

Italian food exporters, Indonesian importers and distributors, and hospitality businesses purchasing imported ingredients should establish which requirements apply to each product. This is not a blanket statement that every product must be halal: non-halal goods have their own applicable requirements, and categories follow different implementation schedules.

What to clarify now

Our recommendation is to build a product-by-product readiness list: manufacturer, ingredients, certification status, certification body and Indonesian importer. Ask the supplier and importer to confirm the applicable certification and registration route. Verify the recognised scope of any overseas certification body with BPJPH rather than relying on a logo alone.

For a restaurant buying imported ingredients, request documentation through the distributor before placing the next order. Where status is uncertain, agree an alternative supply plan and avoid making halal claims that the documentation does not support. These are procurement suggestions, not a substitute for a product-specific compliance assessment.

Before shipment

Confirm current requirements with BPJPH and your importer, including treatment of non-halal products and category-specific exceptions. Guidance prepared for US or Australian exporters is useful context; it does not establish recognition of an Italian certification body.

Sources: US International Trade Administration: transition extension; Australian government: implementation guidance; BPJPH: overseas certification bodies.