BPOM registration timeline · Processed food

How long does processed food registration take in Indonesia?

Median and typical-range figures computed from real BPOM approval data.

Produced locally

Typically 3–16 weeks

Most processed food and beverage products registrations take around 59 days.

22 days (p25)median 59 days114 days (p75)

Based on 935 real approvals in the BPOM database.

Imported

Typically 5–18 weeks

Most processed food and beverage products registrations take around 74 days.

36 days (p25)median 74 days126 days (p75)

Based on 969 real approvals in the BPOM database.

Data sourced from BPOM, updated daily.

Regulator

BPOM

Type

Distribution license (izin edar)

Codes

MD, ML

Validity

5 years

Processed food and beverages need a BPOM distribution license before they can be sold. The number appears on the pack as BPOM RI MD for products made in Indonesia, or BPOM RI ML for imported products. The license is valid for five years.

Imported food carries two extra documents on top of the core dossier: an appointment letter from the manufacturer and a health certificate from the country of origin. Halal certification is mandatory for food and beverages, with imported products facing the 17 October 2026 deadline under GR 42/2024.

How registration works

Appoint a local license holder
Imported food (ML) must be registered by a company established in Indonesia.
Prepare the dossier
Product composition, label, and for imported food an appointment letter plus a health certificate from the country of origin.
Submit to BPOM and test samples
Physical samples are commonly required for laboratory testing during the review.
Receive the MD or ML number
The distribution license is valid for five years before renewal.

What you need

A local license holder for imported (ML) products.
Appointment letter from the manufacturer and a health certificate from the country of origin (imported food).
Product composition and compliant Indonesian-language labelling.
Halal certification, mandatory for food and beverages (imported deadline 17 October 2026).

Reading a BPOM number

The prefix on a registration number tells you the product type and, for many categories, whether it was made in Indonesia or imported.

Prefix	Product type	What it means
NA, NB, NC, ND, NE	Cosmetic	Notification. The second letter is the region of manufacture: A Asia (incl. Indonesia), B Australia, C Europe, D Africa, E the Americas.
NK	Cosmetic	Older cosmetic registration scheme.
MD	Processed food	Produced in Indonesia (dalam negeri).
ML	Processed food	Imported (luar negeri).
SD, SI	Health supplement	SD produced domestically, SI imported.
TR, TI	Traditional medicine	Jamu and herbal products. TR domestic, TI imported.
DK, DBL, DTL, GKL	Pharmaceutical drug	Marketing authorization (izin edar / NIE). The class letters mark over-the-counter, limited, or prescription status.
AKD, AKL	Medical device	Registered with the Ministry of Health, not BPOM. AKD domestic, AKL imported.
PKD, PKL	Household (PKRT)	Household and personal-care products, regulated by the Ministry of Health. PKD domestic, PKL imported.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an MD and ML number?

MD marks processed food produced in Indonesia; ML marks imported food. Both are BPOM distribution licenses valid for five years.

What extra documents do imported foods need?

Imported food needs an appointment letter from the manufacturer and a health certificate from the country of origin, in addition to the standard dossier.

Is halal certification required for food?

Yes. Halal is mandatory for food and beverages. Imported food and beverage products face the 17 October 2026 deadline under GR 42/2024.

Data sourced from BPOM, updated daily. BPOM registration with Emerhub.

How registration works

Appoint a local license holder

Imported food (ML) must be registered by a company established in Indonesia.

Prepare the dossier

Product composition, label, and for imported food an appointment letter plus a health certificate from the country of origin.

Submit to BPOM and test samples

Physical samples are commonly required for laboratory testing during the review.

Receive the MD or ML number

The distribution license is valid for five years before renewal.