The Ministry of Finance\u2019s Customs and Excise Directorate has\nuncovered two cases of alleged circulation of illegally imported used\nclothing (balepress) in Jakarta and West Kalimantan. The first\nenforcement action was taken against 43 containers suspected of\ncontaining illegally imported used clothing at Tanjung Priok Port,\nJakarta. Meanwhile, the second action targeted two warehouse locations\nin West Kalimantan suspected of being large-scale stockpiling sites for\nbalepress.<\/p>\n
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa explained that the uncovering\nof the case at Tanjung Priok originated from intelligence information\nreceived by Customs regarding the suspected shipment of imported used\nclothing aboard the KM Eden Mas, travelling from Dwikora Port in\nPontianak to Tanjung Priok Port. Based on the investigation, the vessel\nwas carrying a total of 268 containers, consisting of 222 empty\ncontainers and 46 loaded containers. In the declaration documents, the\ncargo was recorded as instant noodles, general cargo, and household\nrelocation goods.<\/p>\n
When the KM Eden Mas docked at Tanjung Priok Port on 15 June 2026, a\njoint team from the Directorate of Enforcement and Investigation (P2) of\nCustoms, together with Tanjung Priok Customs, monitored the unloading\nprocess and scanned all 46 loaded containers. The scan results showed\nthat 43 containers displayed images similar to goods from previous\nbalepress enforcement actions uncovered by Customs. \u201cThe scan results\nindicated that 43 containers were suspected of containing balepress, and\nthey were immediately sealed for further examination,\u201d said Purbaya\nduring a press conference on the enforcement action against containers\nof used clothing at Tanjung Priok Port on Tuesday (23\/6).<\/p>\n
As of 22 June 2026 at 17.00 WIB, physical examinations had been\nconducted on 19 of the 43 sealed containers. From these examinations,\nofficers found 2,067 bales containing various types of used clothing,\nclothing accessories, and bags. Meanwhile, the remaining 24 containers\nare still undergoing in-depth examination. Based on initial estimates,\nthe total quantity of goods in the 43 containers is expected to reach\n4,687 bales, with an average of 109 bales per container. \u201cWith an\neconomic value of approximately Rp8 million per bale, the total value of\nthe goods is estimated to reach Rp37.496 billion,\u201d Purbaya stated.<\/p>\n
As a follow-up, on 16 June 2026, Customs issued an Intelligence\nResult Note (NHI) for the 43 containers. Subsequently, the containers\nwere sealed and stored at the CDC Banda Temporary Storage Yard for\nfurther examination. Purbaya said the successful uncovering of the two\ncases demonstrates the increasingly strong synergy between Customs\u2019\nintelligence, surveillance, and enforcement functions in monitoring the\ncirculation of illegal goods.<\/p>\n
Echoing this, Director General of Customs and Excise Letjen TNI\n(Ret.) Djaka Budhi Utama affirmed that his agency will continue to\nstrengthen supervision of the entry and circulation of illegal imported\ngoods, including used clothing. \u201cThis enforcement action is a tangible\nform of our commitment to protecting domestic industry, maintaining a\nhealthy business climate, and ensuring compliance with customs laws and\nregulations by all business actors,\u201d said Djaka.<\/p>\n
The uncovering of the case in West Kalimantan was a result of\ndevelopments from the enforcement action carried out by Tanjung Priok\nCustoms. The Customs P2 Directorate then conveyed information to the\nWest Kalimantan Regional Customs Office to trace the origin of the goods\nsuspected of being illegally imported used clothing. On 18 June 2026, a\njoint team conducted an in-depth investigation into the loading point\nand several locations suspected of being goods stockpiling warehouses in\nthe Pontianak area and its surroundings. The investigation led officers\nto a warehouse in the Jalan Extra Joss warehouse complex in Kubu Raya\nRegency, West Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
During an inspection on 19 June 2026, officers found four trucks\nunloading 264 bales of illegal used clothing. The entire cargo was then\nintercepted and secured at the West Kalimantan Regional Customs Office\nfor further examination. The case development continued on 21 June 2026\nwith the inspection and sealing of a warehouse in the Mempawah area. At\nthis location, officers found 2,060 bales of illegal used clothing,\nwhich were subsequently secured for further investigation. From the two\nenforcement locations in West Kalimantan, the joint team secured a total\nof 2,060 bales of illegal used clothing. With an economic value of\napproximately Rp8 million per bale, the total value of the goods is\nestimated to reach Rp16.48 billion.<\/p>\n
Djaka stated that the legal enforcement process does not stop at\nsecuring the goods. Currently, Customs is still conducting in-depth\ninvestigations to identify the parties responsible for the importation,\nstorage, and distribution of the illegal used clothing. \u201cWe are\ncurrently tracing and pursuing the parties suspected of being\nresponsible, including the owner of the warehouse used as a stockpiling\nlocation in West Kalimantan and the parties related to the ownership of\nthe 43 containers in Jakarta,\u201d he said. According to Djaka, the entire\nlegal enforcement process will be carried out professionally,\ntransparently, and without discrimination in accordance with applicable\nlaws and regulations.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/customs-seals-43-containers-of-illegally-imported-used-clothing-1782192013", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }