JAKARTA - Indonesian tuna and jack mackerel processed products will enter a new phase in the Japanese market. Starting August 1, 2026, four types of processed tuna and jack mackerel products from Indonesia can enjoy a 0 percent preferential tariff through the Indonesia-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (IJEPA) scheme.
This policy is projected to be a momentum to boost exports as well as increase the competitiveness of national fishery products.
Acting Director General of Strengthening the Competitiveness of Marine and Fishery Products (PDSPKP) of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) Erwin Dwiyana said that the zero-percent tariff facility can already be used by the Fish Processing Unit (UPI) and exporters who have obtained IJEPA registration.
"In less than a week, the 0 percent IJEPA preferential tariff can officially be utilized by UPI/Indonesian exporters who have been registered," said Erwin as quoted from a written statement, Wednesday, July 29.
Before the policy took effect, four groups of processed tuna and jack mackerel products were still subject to a general import tariff or Most Favored Nation (MFN) of 9.6 percent when entering the Japanese market. With the abolition of the tariff, Indonesian products are considered to be more competitive than before.
The four Harmonized System (HS) codes that have zero percent tariff facilities include mackerel and bonito in airtight packaging, tuna in airtight packaging, katsuobushi or wooden fish made from mackerel with a minimum size of 30 centimeters and frozen cooked tuna or frozen precooked tuna.
According to Erwin, Japan is one of the main markets for Indonesian fishery products, so the policy is a great opportunity for business actors to expand exports.
"This is a great opportunity because Japan is a potential market for tuna and jack mackerel processed products. We encourage business actors to immediately take advantage of this facility by registering with the KKP," he said.
Based on KKP data, Indonesian fish product exports to Japan in 2025 reached 613.65 million US dollars or increased by 2.5 percent compared to the previous year. Tuna and jackfish commodities accounted for 26.2 percent of the total exports.
Meanwhile, the value of exports of processed tuna and jack mackerel products that will later receive a 0 percent preferential tariff reached 76.41 million US dollars in 2025, up 21 percent compared to 2024.
This growth trend shows that Japanese market demand for Indonesian processed products is still increasing and has the potential to be even greater after tariff barriers are removed.
In addition to strengthening export competitiveness, the policy is also expected to have an impact on increasing the absorption of fishermen's catch, strengthening the fish processing industry, and supporting the implementation of the National Priority Program for Red and White Fishing Villages (KNMP).
Since January 2026, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has carried out administrative and technical verification of 30 UPI and exporters of potential recipients of the IJEPA facility. As a result, 11 UPI were declared to meet the requirements and have obtained the IJEPA Registration Number.
KKP also prepares the second phase registration so that more business actors can take advantage of the preferential tariff facility.
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