Indonesian Residents Flock to Used Imported Bras and Underwear; Trade Minister Speaks Out

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Trade Minister Budi Santoso spoke out on the continued popularity of second-hand imported underwear among consumers. He emphasised that, in principle, the import of second-hand clothing remains prohibited, but enforcement is being carried out gradually. ‘Yes, gradually. So in principle second-hand imported clothes are banned, but enforcement is gradual. If we look at our Customs colleagues, they are continuously conducting inspections,’ he said as he met reporters at the Ministry of Trade office in Jakarta on Thursday, 5 March 2026. According to Budi, monitoring of illegal goods, including second-hand imported apparel, is also carried out through post-border surveillance mechanisms after items have circulated domestically. ‘That’s right, post-border; at post-border we continuously monitor illegal goods in post-border. If something is not at post-border or border, it is not our ministry’s remit,’ he added. Previously, second-hand imported clothing, including underwear, were known to be widely circulating in markets and even sought after by buyers because of their very cheap prices. One of the busy hubs for second-hand clothing is Pasar Senen in Central Jakarta. Stores selling second-hand underwear were even busier than those selling shirts, T-shirts or jackets. According to CNBC Indonesia’s observations on Thursday, 5 March 2026, around 12:00 WIB, several second-hand clothing outlets began to fill with buyers. Stores selling women’s and men’s underwear appeared the busiest, especially among women who came to browse and ask about prices. Women’s underwear were displayed both hung and stacked. Prices were relatively cheap. Women’s underwear sold from Rp5,000 to Rp35,000 per item. Bras priced from Rp15,000 to Rp35,000. Men’s underwear priced from Rp10,000 to Rp25,000, with boxer briefs starting at Rp10,000. Jordi, one of the second-hand underwear traders at Pasar Senen, said prices depend heavily on size and design. ‘The ones stacked at the front are priced at Rp5,000 or Rp10,000, including bras and underwear; the ones on hangers are usually a bit more expensive, around Rp35,000,’ Jordi told CNBC Indonesia on Thursday, 5 March 2026. He also revealed that most of the second-hand underwear for sale originated from South Korea, with some from Japan. Another trader, Mamang, said his shop was also busy as buyers flocked to buy second-hand underwear. Prices were similar, ranging from Rp5,000 for stacked items to Rp35,000 for items on hangers. ‘The front display items are Rp5,000; those on hangers are Rp35,000, with the price depending on size,’ Mamang said. He even said that the stock of men’s underwear had run out at his shop, leaving only boxer types. ‘For the boxers, it’s Rp25,000; for underwear that isn’t triangle-cut, but also not a boxer, it’s cheaper at Rp15,000,’ Mamang explained.