Recently, German shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd (HPL) introduced new regulations for specific waste cargo shipments bound for Southeast Asia, requiring more comprehensive shipping documentation to accompany shipments. The company particularly emphasizes the mandatory submission of indemnity bonds. Incomplete documentation will not only result in rejection of new bookings but may also lead to the temporary detention of existing bookings until supplementary materials are provided. This measure aims to enhance the authenticity of cargo declarations, ensuring transport safety and smooth customs clearance.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's Ministry of Finance officially released Minister of Finance Regulation No. 92 of 2025 on December 31, 2025, clearly defining the disposal mechanisms for abandoned goods, state-owned goods, and goods reverted to state ownership. Under the new regulation, imported goods remaining in Temporary Bonded Warehouses (TPS) for over 30 days without completing customs clearance or meeting regulatory requirements will be classified as “abandoned goods” (BTD). Subsequently, the goods will be transferred to customs-supervised warehouses where storage fees will be charged. Relevant parties will have a 60-day rectification window; failure to resolve the issue within this period will result in auction, destruction, or nationalization. This regulation will take effect at the end of March 2026.

Although originating from different authorities, both policies point to a common trend: Southeast Asia is comprehensively tightening compliance reviews for imported goods. For exporters, merely focusing on shipment is no longer sufficient. Front-end documentation preparation and back-end destination port clearance capabilities are equally critical. Particularly for sensitive categories like recycled resources and scrap materials, it is imperative to confirm the latest regulatory developments in the destination country beforehand to avoid minor issues leading to major losses. Shippers are advised to maintain frequent communication with freight forwarders and allow ample time to address potential procedural changes.