Indonesian import license also requires a trademark registration certificate

On March 10, 2024, the Indonesian government promulgated the "Amendment to Regulation No. 5 of the Ministry of Industry of 2024", which stipulates that all importers must provide a trademark registration certificate when submitting an import license, especially a general consumer import license (API-U) or a license for importers importing goods for trade.

According to the regulations, importers submitting API-U must provide the following documents:

• Trademark certificate issued by DGIP
• Proof of record/record of license agreement, sublicense and/or appointment letter from the trademark owner to the authorized representative
• Import authorization letter from the trademark owner or authorized representative

More specifically, these documents are required by importers of imported fashion products such as textiles, textile articles, bags and footwear with API-U.

Since the implementation of the regulation, it has become an additional requirement for business owners to obtain trademark protection in Indonesia. Trademark registration applications in Indonesia usually take 8 to 10 months, so it is best to have a trademark registration before engaging in business activities.