Chronology of 43 Used Clothing Containers at Priok and Stockpiling in West Kalimantan

The Directorate General of Customs and Excise at the Ministry of Finance has revealed two cases of alleged circulation of illegally imported used clothing, known as ‘balepress’ or ‘balpres’, in Jakarta and West Kalimantan. The first enforcement action was carried out in the Tanjung Priok Port area, Jakarta, against 43 containers suspected of transporting imported used clothing. The second action took place at two warehouse locations in West Kalimantan, suspected of being large-scale stockpiling sites for balepress. The successful uncovering of these two cases demonstrates the increasingly strong synergy between the intelligence, surveillance, and enforcement functions carried out by Customs in monitoring the circulation of illegal goods.

The enforcement against the 43 balepress containers at Tanjung Priok involved the KM Eden Mas vessel, which was sailing the Dwikora Port, Pontianak to Tanjung Priok Port route. The uncovering of this case began with information received by Customs on Wednesday regarding the shipment of imported used clothing to Tanjung Priok, Jakarta. Based on the results of further investigation, the vessel was transporting a total of 268 containers, consisting of 222 empty containers and 46 loaded containers declared as noodles, general cargo, and household relocation goods. When KM Eden Mas docked at Tanjung Priok Port on Monday, 15 June 2026, a joint team from the Directorate of Enforcement and Investigation (P2) of Customs together with Tanjung Priok Customs conducted surveillance of the unloading process, followed by scanning of the 46 loaded containers. The scanning results indicated that 43 containers had images similar to goods from previous balepress enforcement actions carried out by Tanjung Priok Customs. Following up on these findings, on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, Customs issued an Intelligence Result Note (NHI) for the 43 containers in question, then carried out sealing and stockpiling of the goods at the CDC Banda temporary storage yard for further examination purposes.

As of Monday, 22 June 2026, at 17.00 WIB, physical examination had been conducted on 19 of the total 43 containers. From this examination, officers found 2,067 balepress containing various types of used clothing, clothing accessories, and bags. Meanwhile, the remaining 24 containers are still undergoing examination. Based on initial estimates, the quantity of goods in the 43 containers is expected to reach 4,687 balepress, with an average of 109 balepress per container. With an economic value of approximately Rp 8 million per balepress, the total value of the goods is estimated to reach Rp 37.496 billion.

Following up on the enforcement results carried out by Tanjung Priok Customs, the Directorate of P2 Customs conveyed information to the West Kalimantan Regional Customs Office (Kalbagbar) to conduct further investigation regarding the origin of the goods suspected to be imported used clothing. On Thursday, 18 June 2026, a joint team carried out development and investigation of the loading point and locations suspected of being goods stockpiling warehouses in the Pontianak area and its surroundings. From the results of these activities, on Friday, 19 June 2026, the joint team moved to a stockpile warehouse located in the Extra Joss Street warehouse complex, Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan, and found four trucks unloading 264 balepress of illegal used clothing. The joint team searched the cargo and secured it to the Kalbagbar Regional Customs Office. Further development was carried out on Sunday, 21 June 2026, with the examination and sealing of a warehouse in the Mempawah area containing 2,060 balpres of illegal used clothing for the purpose of security and further examination. From the enforcement actions at the two locations in West Kalimantan, the joint team secured a total of 2,060 bales of illegal used clothing. With an economic value of approximately Rp 8 million per balepress, the total value of the goods is estimated to reach Rp 16.48 billion.

Director General of Customs and Excise, Djaka Budhi Utama, asserted that the eradication of illegal used clothing imports is the government’s commitment to maintaining legal compliance and protecting national interests. “Customs will continue to strengthen supervision of the entry and circulation of illegal imported goods, including used clothing. This enforcement is a tangible form of our commitment to protecting domestic industry, maintaining a healthy business climate, and ensuring that customs legislation is complied with by all business actors,” he stated in Tanjung Priok on Tuesday, 23 June 2026. Djaka added that the success in uncovering and thwarting the circulation of illegal imported used clothing was the result of strong cooperation and synergy between various parties. “The success in securing 43 containers in Tanjung Priok and uncovering the stockpiling locations in West Kalimantan is the result of sharp intelligence analysis and close synergy between Customs, the Indonesian Armed Forces Strategic Intelligence Agency (BAIS TNI), the Attorney General’s Office, and the Police Criminal Investigation Supervisory Coordination. This collaboration is key to breaking the chain of circulation of illegal imported goods from upstream to downstream,” he said. Currently, Customs is still conducting further investigation to identify and trace the parties responsible for the importation, storage, and distribution of these goods. “We are currently tracing and pursuing the parties suspected of being responsible, including the warehouse owner that became the stockpiling location in West Kalimantan and the parties related to the ownership of the 43 containers in Jakarta. Law enforcement will be carried out professionally, transparently, and indiscriminately in accordance with applicable regulations,” he concluded.