2 weeks Ago By Priya Singh
The Indonesian government has imposed a ban on the sale and use of the iPhone 16 and Apple Watch 10 series in the country. This action stems from Apple's failure to fulfill its investment commitment of $109 million towards local R&D facilities, as previously pledged by the company. As per a report by Bloomberg, Apple has been barred from selling iPhone 16 models in Indonesia due to its failure to meet the country's domestic investment obligations.
Indonesia has banned the iPhone 16 and other new Apple products due to unmet investment commitments. Apple missed its $109 million pledge by $14 million, blocking necessary certifications. The ban enforces Indonesia’s 40% local content rule for foreign companies.
#iPhone #Apple pic.twitter.com/f5uVFVdlEw — Smit X (@SmitX9619) October 28, 2024 As per a statement by the Indonesian Ministry of Industry dated October 25, the smartphones cannot be marketed domestically because local unit PT Apple Indonesia failed to fulfill the country's 40% local content requirements for smartphones.
ALSO SEE: German Company Launches ‘Digital Condom’: What Is It And How To Use Going by the report, Apple has invested about 1.5 trillion rupiah ($95 million) in Indonesia, but it had promised to invest 1.7 trillion rupiah.
Instead of setting up local manufacturing plants, Apple has focused on building developer academies in the region, according to the report. The Indonesian government's ban on iPhone 16 series devices is a significant setback for Apple, particularly considering the strong global sales of the iPhone and the substantial market potential in Indonesia. With a population of 270 million and over 350 million active mobile phones, Indonesia's $1 trillion economy offers a lucrative market for smartphone manufacturers.
📨 Just in 📄 **iPhone 16 Sales Blocked in Indonesia Due to Local Parts Requirement** Indonesia has imposed a ban on the sales of Apple’s iPhone 16, enforcing its regulation that requires at least 40% of smartphone components to be sourced locally. This decision effectively..
.— Merdan Halilovic (@merdannp) October 28, 2024 The report added that approximately 9,000 iPhone 16 devices have entered Indonesia through personal import channels such as passenger arrivals, crew members, or postal delivery. However, these devices are strictly limited to personal use and cannot be sold commercially, as per the guidelines of the Indonesian Ministry of Industry.
The Indonesian state news agency, Antara, has clarified that tourists and airline crew members are permitted to bring and use a maximum of two iPhone 16 series devices into the country. However, it's important to note that these devices are strictly for personal use and cannot be sold commercially, as doing so would violate the imposed restrictions..
