Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried (oxidized/fermented black tea leaves; loose leaf or packaged retail formats)
Industry PositionBeverage ingredient (specialty tea) / Packaged food product when sold in retail packs
Market
Keemun (Qimen Hongcha / Qimen Black Tea) is a Chinese-origin black tea associated with Qimen County (Huangshan, Anhui). In Indonesia, Keemun is not domestically produced by definition of origin and is supplied through imports into a country that has its own tea production and trade system. Imported packaged Keemun intended for retail sale generally falls under BPOM processed-food registration requirements, including an import registration number format (BPOM RI ML) for imported retail packaged products. Plant and plant-product imports are subject to Indonesia’s quarantine workflow (PTK Online submission, document/physical checks, and release or refusal actions). Indonesia’s mandatory halal certification obligation is being phased in, with official BPJPH communications and an extension reported for imported food-and-beverage products until no later than October 17, 2026.
Market RoleImport-dependent specialty consumer market (Keemun is an origin-specific Chinese black tea)
Domestic RoleNiche premium/specialty tea consumption within Indonesia’s broader tea market; compliance requirements (BPOM, quarantine, halal phasing) are central to market access for imported packaged Keemun
Market Growth
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighMandatory halal certification requirements (phased implementation) can become a market-access blocker for imported packaged Keemun black tea; sources indicate an extension for imported food and beverage products until no later than October 17, 2026, after which non-compliance could disrupt import and distribution.Confirm whether the specific Keemun product (format, ingredients, processing aids, packaging) is in scope and complete BPJPH halal certification/recognition steps ahead of the October 17, 2026 deadline; align labels and importer documentation accordingly.
Regulatory Compliance HighImported processed food in retail packaging must be registered with BPOM (PB-UMKU) and imported retail products use the BPOM RI ML numbering format; products distributed without required authorization are treated as non-compliant and may face enforcement actions.Complete BPOM processed-food registration for each specific product/pack/label and ensure the BPOM RI ML number and labeling elements match the approved dossier before distribution.
Phytosanitary MediumPlant/plant-product quarantine procedures can delay or block clearance if quarantine submissions, documentation, or inspection outcomes are not satisfactory; quarantine actions can include detention, treatment, refusal, or destruction depending on findings and requirements.Pre-validate quarantine documentation and PTK Online readiness with the importer; align shipment documentation and ensure goods are presented for quarantine checks at the designated point of entry.
Customs Classification MediumMisclassification or incomplete verification of HS-linked requirements can cause delays, unexpected obligations, or non-compliance at clearance; tea is within HS Chapter 9 and measures depend on the final HS line and product format.Confirm the intended HS line and all linked measures via BTKI/INSW prior to contracting and shipment, and ensure commercial documents match the chosen classification and product presentation.
FAQ
Do imported packaged Keemun black tea products sold in retail packs need BPOM approval in Indonesia?Yes. BPOM states that processed foods produced domestically or imported for trade in retail packaging must have BPOM processed-food registration approval (PB-UMKU), and imported retail packaged products use the BPOM RI ML numbering format.
What is the key upcoming compliance deadline for halal requirements affecting imported tea products in Indonesia?BPJPH has stated the halal certification obligation applies under the phased framework, and a reported extension indicates imported food-and-beverage products have time to comply until no later than October 17, 2026. Importers of packaged tea should plan compliance ahead of that date.
What quarantine process applies when importing tea as a plant-derived product into Indonesia?Indonesia’s quarantine authority describes a workflow that starts with an online application through PTK Online, followed by submission of goods and documents at the place of entry, document and physical checks, and potential quarantine actions (such as sampling/testing or treatment) before a release or refusal outcome.