Indonesia Enforces Fish and Plant Quarantine Measures

Indonesia has strengthened fish and plant quarantine requirements for specific HS codes, including 030289 and 030391, to prevent disease transmission and ensure agricultural safety.

Regulation Analysis: Strengthened Fish and Plant Quarantine Requirements for HS Codes 030289 and 030391 in Indonesia

Indonesia has centralized and strengthened quarantine measures for fish, animals, and plants—including specific Harmonized System (HS) codes such as 030289 (fresh/chilled fish, nes) and 030391 (frozen fish, nes)—under Government Regulation No. 29 of 2023 (hereafter "GR 29/2023"). This regulation implements Law No. 21 of 2019 on Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine and establishes the Indonesian Quarantine Authority (IQA), a ministerial-level agency reporting directly to the President. The primary objectives are to prevent disease transmission, ensure food safety, protect animal/plant health, and safeguard human health from pests or diseases¹.

1. Key Regulatory Changes and Requirements

The following table summarizes the critical compliance requirements for importers/exporters of goods under HS codes 030289 and 030391, as well as broader quarantine measures:

2. Detailed Compliance Obligations for HS Codes 030289 and 030391

A. Pre-Import Requirements

1. Health Certification:
   • Importers must obtain a health certificate from the competent authority in the country of origin, attesting that the fish products (e.g., under 030289/030391) are free from listed diseases (e.g., viral hemorrhagic septicemia, infectious salmon anemia) and comply with OIE Aquatic Animal Health Code¹.
   • Certificates must be legalized by the Indonesian embassy/consulate in the country of origin¹.

1. Pre-Arrival Notification:
   • Importers must submit a pre-arrival notification to the IQA at least 72 hours before arrival, including:
   • Bill of lading/airway bill.
   • Health certificate.
   • Packing list.
   • Import permit (if applicable)¹.

1. Risk Assessment:
   • The IQA conducts a risk assessment based on the commodity’s origin, disease prevalence, and compliance history. High-risk shipments (e.g., from regions with known outbreaks) may require additional testing or quarantine¹.

B. Post-Arrival Requirements

1. Quarantine Inspection:
   • All shipments under 030289/030391 must undergo physical inspection at designated IQA quarantine facilities (e.g., ports, airports). Inspections include:
   • Document verification (certificates, permits).
   • Visual inspection for signs of disease/pests.
   • Laboratory testing (if deemed necessary by IQA)¹.

1. Treatment or Rejection:
   • If contaminants/diseases are detected, the IQA may order:
   • Treatment (e.g., fumigation, irradiation).
   • Re-export at the importer’s expense.
   • Destruction (for severe violations)¹.

1. Release or Conditional Release:
   • Shipments are released only after passing all inspections. Conditional release may require post-entry monitoring (e.g., periodic reporting to IQA)¹.

C. Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Administrative sanctions: Fines, suspension of import licenses, or blacklisting¹.
• Criminal penalties: Under Law No. 21/2019, violations may result in imprisonment (up to 5 years) and/or fines (up to IDR 2 billion) for intentional smuggling or fraud¹.

3. International Standards Alignment

Indonesia’s quarantine measures for HS codes 030289/030391 conform to the following international standards:

• Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC): Food safety standards for fish products¹.
• World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE):
  • Aquatic Animal Health Code (for fish diseases).
  • Terrestrial Animal Health Code (for zoonotic risks)¹.
• International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC):
  • ISPM No. 15 (wood packaging materials).
  • ISPM No. 31 (methodologies for sampling)¹.

4. Key Takeaways for Businesses

1. Centralized Authority: All quarantine functions are now under the IQA, replacing the previous Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries structures¹.
2. Strict Documentation: Health certificates, pre-arrival notifications, and risk assessments are mandatory for HS codes 030289/030391¹.
3. Risk-Based Inspections: High-risk shipments (e.g., from disease-endemic regions) face enhanced scrutiny¹.
4. Zero Tolerance for Violations: Non-compliance may lead to destruction, re-export, or criminal charges¹.

Summary Answer

Indonesia’s Government Regulation No. 29 of 2023 strengthens quarantine requirements for fish products under HS codes 030289 and 030391 by centralizing oversight under the Indonesian Quarantine Authority (IQA) and mandating pre-arrival documentation, risk-based inspections, and compliance with OIE/IPPC/Codex standards¹. Importers must ensure health certificates, pre-notification, and post-arrival inspections are completed to avoid rejection, destruction, or legal penalties¹. The regulation aligns with international standards and applies to all trading partners¹. Key deadlines include the 6 June 2023 effective date for all provisions¹. For enforcement, the IQA is the sole authority, replacing prior ministry-level agencies¹.

Sources

1. ↩ Government Regulation No 29 of 2023 referring to the Regulation of the Implementation of Law Number 2i Year 2019 about Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine _notification https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NIDN146.DOCX