Kepri Quarantine Authority stops China-origin vegetables over health certificate violations
Indonesian agricultural authorities have thwarted the entry of 8.8 tons of Chinese pickled vegetables through Batam’s Batu Ampar Port, citing serious documentation lapses.
Document Violation Halts Import
On Sunday, June 22, 2025, the Kepulauan Riau (Kepri) Quarantine Agency blocked the entry of 8.8 tons of pickled vegetables from China. The decision followed a stringent inspection at the Batu Ampar Service Post, where quarantine officers discovered that the imported shipment lacked proper health certification.
According to Herwintarti, Head of Karantina Kepri, the inspection was prompted by a quarantine action request submitted on Thursday via the SSm QC system. However, during document verification, officers found the Chinese-issued health certificate invalid and non-compliant.
“After careful verification, the health certificate from the country of origin was deemed non-compliant,” Herwintarti explained.
Legal Grounds For Detention And Rejection
The cargo, contained in one shipping container, was officially detained. Referring to Article 333 of Perba Regulation No. 14/2024, importers are legally entitled to a three-working-day grace period to correct documentation after receiving a detention notice. In this case, the importer failed to provide adequate documentation within the stipulated period.
As a result, Karantina Kepri issued a full rejection, expelling the shipment from Indonesian territory. The agency emphasized that the move was essential to safeguarding the country from the introduction of quarantine plant pests (OPTK), threats to human health, and biodiversity degradation.
National Food Security A Priority
This enforcement aligns with Indonesia’s broader national food safety and security strategy. As a key border province, Kepri plays a frontline role in monitoring and regulating the entry of food products. Herwintarti reiterated that this action was in line with Law No. 21 of 2019 on Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine, which mandates thorough documentation and health checks for any imported biological media.
Support For National Food Sovereignty
The rejection also reflects the policy direction of the Indonesian Agricultural Quarantine Agency (Barantin), led by Sahat M. Panggabean. Barantin is actively supporting President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s “Asta Cita” agenda, which aims to achieve food self-sufficiency. Ensuring that all imported goods are safe and certified is part of this commitment.
“Barantin ensures that every transported biological media are safe, healthy, and fit for consumption,” Herwintarti concluded.
Broader Impact On Regional Trade
This incident reinforces the importance of compliance in cross-border trade between China and Indonesia, particularly in strategic entry points like Batam. For Indonesians and Singaporeans relying on Batam as a trade conduit, the strict enforcement serves as a reminder of Indonesia’s rising standards in food safety and border biosecurity. It also highlights growing efforts to prevent illicit and unsafe goods from entering regional markets.
The rejection of 8.8 tons of pickled vegetables by Karantina Kepri is more than a regulatory action—it is a clear statement of Indonesia’s growing commitment to food safety, national sovereignty, and responsible trade. As Batam serves as a crucial gateway between Indonesia and international markets, especially Singapore, this firm stance signals tighter scrutiny on agricultural imports moving forward. It also reinforces the government’s resolve to protect domestic consumers, prevent ecological harm, and uphold high-quality standards in support of the nation’s food independence goals.
Sources: Batam News Online (2025) , RRI (2025)
Keywords: Karantina Kepri, Chinese Vegetables, Import Rejection, Food Safety, Trade Regulation, Batam Port
