Indonesia Bans iPhone 16 and Apple Watch 10 Sales Over Investment Dispute
The Indonesian government has imposed a ban on the sale and use of the iPhone 16 series and Apple Watch 10 series within its territory.
The reason for the ban is Apple’s failure to fulfill its investment commitments in Indonesia.
The American company had previously pledged an investment of over $100 million to establish research and development (R&D) centers in the country. However, Apple has only invested $95 million so far.
As a result, the Indonesian Ministry of Industry has blocked the issuance of IMEI certificates for these devices, effectively banning their distribution and activation in the country.
According to Indonesian news sources, foreign tourists and airline crew members will be allowed to bring up to two iPhone 16 devices into Indonesia for personal use. However, they will not be permitted to sell these devices locally.
Indonesian law mandates that foreign companies operating in the country must use at least 40% local content in their products. This can be achieved by manufacturing locally, developing software domestically, or establishing R&D centers in Indonesia.
