November 6, 2025 | 07:50 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) recorded a rise in the import of second-hand goods, especially second-hand clothes, since 2021. MSME Minister Maman Abdurrahman said that the amount has increased each year, peaking in 2024.
"As of August 2025, it's around 1,800 tons," he said when met at Balai Sarbini in Jakarta, on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
Compared to previous years, Maman stated that the import of second-hand clothes was 7 tons in 2021, around 12 tons in 2022 and 2023, and significantly jumped to 3,600 tons in 2024.
Maman noted that although domestic demand is increasing, it is detrimental to local products, especially those of MSMEs. Despite regulations prohibiting the import of used clothing, these items continue to enter the country due to a lack of supervision by the Ministry of Finance's Directorate General of Customs and Excise.
Yesterday, Maman met with President Prabowo Subianto and was asked to protect MSME players. The solution he offered was to allow thrift traders to substitute imported products with those from local manufacturers.
"We will call all clothing manufacturers and so on, gather them, and then encourage them to replace the second-hand products," he said.
Previously, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa warned that the government would take action against second-hand clothes importers.
Sanctions against suppliers of second-hand goods will be tightened, including lifetime import bans for those involved. "So the goods will be destroyed, they will be fined, imprisoned, and blacklisted. Those involved will be banned from importing for life," said Purbaya at Menara Bank Mega, Jakarta, on Monday, October 27, 2025.
Ilona Estherina Piri contributed to the writing of this article
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