No, absinthe is illegal in Indonesia under the 2012 Health Law (No. 36/2009) and Ministry of Health Regulation No. 32/2012, which prohibit all alcoholic beverages exceeding 5% ABV. The National Narcotics Agency (BNN) classifies absinthe’s thujone content as a controlled substance, aligning with Islamic-based restrictions enforced nationwide. Recent 2026 draft amendments to the Excise Law propose stricter penalties, including mandatory destruction of confiscated stock.
Key Regulations for Absinthe in Indonesia
- Prohibition Threshold: Any beverage containing absinthe or thujone is banned, regardless of alcohol content, due to its classification as a psychoactive substance under BNN guidelines.
- Enforcement Agencies: The Indonesian National Police (POLRI) and BNN conduct raids on establishments suspected of selling absinthe, with seizures reported in Jakarta, Bali, and Surabaya.
- Penalties: Violators face up to 10 years imprisonment and fines up to IDR 5 billion (≈$320,000), per Article 122 of the Health Law, with additional charges under the Narcotics Law for thujone possession.
Imports of absinthe are strictly prohibited, and customs officials at major ports (e.g., Tanjung Priok, Soekarno-Hatta) confiscate shipments under the supervision of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. Exceptions do not exist for medicinal or culinary uses, as the Ministry of Health has not issued any permits for thujone-containing products. Travelers carrying absinthe for personal consumption risk immediate confiscation and potential legal action.