Thailand Urged to Prepare for Indonesia's Strict Halal Rules
Thailand's exporters have less than a year to obtain halal certification for food and beverage products destined for Indonesia, where new regulations take effect October 2026 and will affect $1.42 billion in annual Thai agricultural exports
The Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) under the Commerce Ministry is urging Thai businesses to accelerate their readiness as Indonesia upgrades its halal certification measures, requiring all food and beverage products to obtain halal certification before sale, effective October 17, 2026. On July 27, 2026, Nanthapong Jiralessapong, TPSO director, revealed that Indonesia is elevating and expanding its halal requirements under the Halal Product Assurance Law (Law No. 33/2014) and the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH) guidelines, following a two-year grace period.
Once fully implemented, all food and beverage products sold in Indonesia must carry halal certification. Thailand exported $9.34 billion worth of goods to Indonesia in 2025, with agricultural and food products alone accounting for $1.42 billion, making halal-affected categories including sugar, cassava products, fresh and frozen fruits, pet food, rice, wheat products, ready-to-eat meals, and beverages critical to Thai export strategy.
Under the new regulations, Indonesia has clearly classified products requiring halal certification and those exempt (Positive List), with particular focus on primary agricultural goods, seafood, and processed foods—all major Thai export categories. Processed products with multiple ingredients or additives must obtain halal certification from Indonesia or BPJPH-recognized foreign certifiers before import. Certain exempted agricultural products must be naturally halal, free of additives or contaminants in processing, with documentary proof of transparent production and supply chains free of Islamic-prohibited substances.
Indonesia classifies processed seafood with added flavoring, sauces, spices, or oils, as well as dried fruits with additives or coatings, as requiring formal halal certification and cannot claim Positive List exemptions. Examples include frozen fruit with added ingredients, dried longan, and fresh fruit coated with wax or beeswax for preservation, all of which are now considered processed and requiring certification. Genetically modified organism (GMO) products also require halal certification. Beyond product standards, Indonesia is developing comprehensive "halal logistics" measures covering transportation and distribution processes.
