Finance Minister to Destroy Seized Used Clothing as Industry Refuses to Utilise It

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has opted to destroy seized bales of used clothing (balpres) following the crackdown on illegal import practices, citing the domestic industry’s inability to utilise them. “Previously, we discussed this with the industry. The industry said the goods could be utilised. But when we offered them, they said they were not capable. So, I think we should just destroy them,” Purbaya stated during a press conference at the Buffer Area of the CDC Banda Container Terminal in Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, on Tuesday.

The Minister confirmed that funds will be prepared for the destruction of the used clothing, along with other illegal goods at various ports that have remained undestroyed for years. In the latest enforcement action, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise secured 43 containers suspected of containing smuggled used clothing from two cases in Jakarta and South Kalimantan. As of 22 June 2026, inspections of 19 containers uncovered 2,067 bales of used clothing, accessories, and bags. The total load across the 43 containers is estimated at 4,687 bales with an economic value of approximately Rp37.5 billion.

Purbaya emphasised that law enforcement does not stop at securing the goods. Customs is conducting further investigations to identify the parties responsible for the importation, storage, and distribution of the illegal items. The government will also trace the owner of the warehouse used for stockpiling in West Kalimantan and the parties linked to the ownership of the 43 containers in Jakarta. The Ministry of Finance is not calculating potential losses from import duties and import-related taxes (PDRI), as used clothing is a prohibited import commodity under the Minister of Trade Regulation Number 47 of 2025. However, the circulation of illegally imported used clothing poses immaterial risks, including damaging the nation’s image and spreading diseases from bacteria or viruses attached to the garments.