RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said the government is committed to imposing harsher penalties on those involved in the illegal import of used clothing. He noted that legal measures are being explored to detain ships or shipowners engaged in such activities.

“In the past, they usually got off scot‑free. Only the goods were seized. Now we’re going to take action just like we do on land,” Minister Purbaya said during a press conference on the seizure of containers filled with used clothing at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

He cited the example of crackdowns on illegal cigarettes, which previously involved only seizing the goods without detaining the vehicles or drivers. “Now we are also detaining the vehicle and the driver to create a deterrent effect,” he said.

Minister Purbaya stressed that similar measures will be applied to illegally imported clothing. “So in the future, those involved won’t be able to get off scot‑free. The penalties will be even harsher,” he said.

On Tuesday, Minister Purbaya announced enforcement actions against two cases of alleged distribution of illegally imported used clothing (balepress) uncovered by Customs and Excise. The first operation at Tanjung Priok Port targeted 43 shipping containers suspected of carrying imported used clothing.

The second operation was conducted at two warehouses in Kubu Raya and Mempawah, West Kalimantan, which were suspected of hoarding large quantities of balepress.

In Jakarta, the total value of the seized goods was estimated at IDR 37.496 billion (approx. USD 2.09 million). Meanwhile, the two enforcement actions in West Kalimantan uncovered illegal goods valued at IDR 16.48 billion.

Minister Purbaya said the potential loss to state revenue cannot be calculated solely on the basis of import duties and taxes (PDRI), as used clothing is a prohibited commodity under Minister of Trade Regulation No. 47/2025.

Nevertheless, he warned that the circulation of illegally imported used clothing could cause significant immaterial losses. “It will damage the nation’s image because Indonesia is perceived as a market for used goods from other countries,” he said.

He added that the practice also poses health risks from viruses or bacteria attached to the clothing, while disrupting the national textile industry and reducing the market share of domestically produced apparel. (Gusti Panji)