August 3, 2026
 

Indonesia's processed tuna gains zero tariff access to Japan under revised IJEPA from 1 August

Eleven verified Indonesian fish processing exporters are the first to benefit from the preferential rate, previously set at 9.6%, following ratification of an amended bilateral trade protocol.

Processed tuna and skipjack tuna products from Indonesia will enter Japan at a 0% preferential tariff from 1 August 2026 under the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA), the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries confirmed.

The zero-tariff rate applies to four harmonised system codes covering skipjack tuna and bonito in airtight packaging, tuna in airtight packaging, dried boiled skipjack and bonito (katsuobushi) of at least 30 centimetres, and frozen cooked tuna. All four had previously attracted a most-favoured-nation import duty of 9.6% into Japan.

The ministry's Acting Director General of Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fishery Products, Erwin Dwiyana, said 11 fish processing units have been designated as initial beneficiaries following administrative and technical verification of 30 applicants since January 2026. Further registration rounds are planned to extend access to additional exporters.

The policy follows the ratification of an IJEPA Amendment Protocol through Presidential Regulation Number 32 of 2026. The ministry said it will conduct regular compliance inspections to ensure exporters continue to meet IJEPA requirements.

Indonesia's total fishery product exports to Japan reached US$613.65 million in 2025, up 2.5% from the previous year. Shrimp dominated at 52.1% of export value, followed by tuna and skipjack at 26.2%, and pearls at 5.9%. The subset of processed tuna and skipjack products covered by the new preferential tariff generated US$76.41 million in export value in 2025, a 21% increase from 2024.

- Antara