Apple Closer to Lifting iPhone Sales Ban in Indonesia

Indonesia has approved local certificates for over a dozen Apple products, bringing the tech giant closer to having its iPhone sales ban lifted in the Southeast Asian nation, the Industry Ministry confirmed on Friday.

This development follows a deal Apple struck with Indonesia last month, aimed at addressing the deadlock over the company's failure to comply with regulations requiring phones to include at least 40% locally sourced components.

"We have issued local content requirement certificates for 20 Apple products," said Industry Ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arief. While the specific products were not listed, local media reports indicate the latest iPhone 16 model was among those certified.

Apple now faces additional steps, needing further approvals and certificates from various ministries, according to the statement.

In November, Jakarta rejected a $100 million investment proposal from Apple, citing concerns over fairness. However, Apple later agreed to invest $150 million in building two new facilities in Indonesia—one in Bandung, West Java, to produce accessories, and another in Batam to manufacture AirTags.

Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita also revealed last month that Apple had committed to establishing a semiconductor research and development center in Indonesia, calling it "the first of its kind in Asia."

Although iPhone sales remain banned, Indonesia has allowed the devices to be imported if they are not being sold commercially. The government has similarly prohibited the sale of Google Pixel phones for failing to meet the same 40% local parts requirement.