Gov’t Issues Regulation to Facilitate Medical Devices Import Amidst COVID-19 Outbreak

Indonesian Ministry of Trade has issued Minister of Trade Regulation Number 28 of 2020 on Eighth Amendment to Regulation of Minister of Trade Number 87 M-DAG/PER/10/2015 on Provisions on Importation of Specific Products.

The regulation aims to accelerate the importation of medical devices and personal protective equipment amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.

“The regulation stipulates that Ministry of Trade facilitates the importation of certain products, specifically medical devices and personal protective equipment. The products include face masks, personal protective equipment, gloves, and other medical devices,” Minister of Trade Agus Suparmanto said.

Import relaxation is provided in the form of exemption from Surveyor Report in the country of origin or the port of origin, and exemption from restrictions on the port of entry so that the import of the aforementioned products does not require any permit.

The import relaxation will apply until 30 June 2020 and the shipment of the products should be supported by Bill of Loading (B/L).

“The regulation is expected to accelerate provision of medical devices needed during the COVID-19 outbreak and prevent the shortage of the medical devices,” Agus said.

The regulation is issued as a follow up to Presidential Decree Number 9 of 2020 that stipulates that the import of goods for handling COVID-19 outbreak is a subject to special import regulation.

Agus further said that Ministry of Trade had previously issued Minister of Trade Regulation Number 23 of 2020 that prohibits export of face masks, face masks raw materials, antiseptics, and personal protective equipment until 30 June 2020.

“The availability of affordable medical devices and personal protective equipment amidst COVID-19 pandemic is expected to support the Government’s measures to break the chain of the coronavirus spread,” Agus said.

In the meantime, Ministry of Trade’s Director General of Foreign Trade Indrasari Wisnu Wardhana explained that the types of goods granted exemption from the Surveyor Report provision are: 1. room air freshener preparations with or without disinfectants; 2. paper and tissue, impregnated or coated with deodorizers or cosmetics; 3. antiseptic products with or without soap; 4. stocking from synthetic fibers for varicose vein; 5. medical personal protective equipment; 6. clothing used for protection from chemicals or radiation; 7. scrubs; 8. examination gown made from artificial fibers; 9. surgical masks; 10. other types of face masks made from nonwoven material other than surgical masks; 11. infrared thermometer; and 12. sanitary towel, sanitary tampon, baby diapers and similar goods made from material other than textile, paper or disposable paper pulp. (SM/EN)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas