The measure to destroy imported used fashions which was taken on Monday (March 20) was a follow-up to findings from supervision by the Indonesian Ministry of Trade in East Java province.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Indonesian Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan, again led the measure to destroy 824 bales of imported used fashions, worth 10 billion rupiahs, in Sidoarjo district, East Java province, on Monday (March 20).

The measure to destroy the imported used fashions including clothing, shoes and bags was a follow-up to findings from supervision by the Indonesian Ministry of Trade in East Java province, according to the Indonesian Ministry of Trade in a written statement quoted by Indonesia Window on Tuesday.

"This is the commitment of the Ministry of Trade in supervising and enforcing laws in the fields of trade, consumer protection, and the domestic textile industry," minister said.

Previously, the Ministry of Trade destroyed 730 bales of imported used clothing, shoes and bags worth approximately 10 billion rupiahs in Riau province on Friday (March 17, 2023), and in Karawang district, West Java province in 2022.

The measure to destroy the imported used goods was a follow-up to supervision of the trade of used clothing from imports which is carried out continuously, the trade minister stated.

"This is also a form of response to the increasingly ubiquitous trade in imported used outfits, both online and offline," he said.

The minister emphasized that used fashions are goods that are prohibited from being imported based on the Minister of Trade Regulation Number 18 of 2021 as amended by the Minister of Trade Regulation Number 40 of 2022 concerning Amendments to the Minister of Trade Regulation Number 18 of 2021 concerning Export Prohibited Goods and Import Prohibited Goods.

He called on the Indonesian people to prioritize and increase the use of domestic products.

"With reduced consumer interests in imported used outfits, it is hoped that the problem of circulation of imported used products in Indonesia can be resolved and in the long run will help protect the domestic industry," the minister hoped.

Meanwhile, Acting Director General of Consumer Protection and Trade Order, Moga Simatupang, said that imported used outfits are suspected to contain mold which has the potential to have an adverse impact on human health.

“We are worried that used fashions like these will have a bad impact on health. Previously, we had tested used clothes as a result of supervision and it was proven to contain mold which has the potential to cause adverse effects on human health," Moga disclosed.

Moga added, the synergy of all relevant ministries and institutions is needed in carrying out supervision of goods that are prohibited from importing, because this task requires the involvement of all parties.

He hopes that this effort to destroy the imported used outfits can give a deterrent effect for business actors who do not comply with the provisions, and set an example for other businesspeople to carry out their business activities in accordance with statutory provisions.

“We will study these findings and be firm in enforcing statutory provisions. There is no compromise for business actors who disobey or abuse the rules. If violations are found, we will act according to the provisions," Moga stated.

*1 U.S. dollar = 15,375 rupiahs

Reporting by Indonesia Window