"The import process involves under-declared ones and some new goods are sent with used goods smuggled into them," said Hanung Harimba, the deputy of small and medium business at the ministry, during a press conference on Thursday.
Furthermore, some importers deliberately do not disclose the used goods that are slipped into the batch, while others outrightly smuggle them, he pointed out.
Such misconduct has caused some items to be rendered useless once in Indonesia, Harimba remarked.
The government often destroys such items by burning them, but this is expensive and creates environmental issues, he pointed out.
Hence, everyone should support and commit to combating the practice, he stated.
"We do not want this country to end up as a landfill. I want (everyone) to move in unison (and perceive this practice) as harmful. This measure must be conducted together," he noted.
During the 2023 Domestic Products Purchase Business Matching on Wednesday, March 15, President Joko Widodo stated that the practice of importing used clothing compromised the growth of the domestic textile sector.
"I have ordered to search for (these imported used clothing), and in just one or two days, a lot was discovered. That disrupts the domestic textile industry," the head of state remarked.
The import of used clothing has been prohibited, as listed in Trade Ministry's Regulation Number 18 of 2021, as amended by Trade Ministry's Regulation Number 40 of 2022, which details import and export prohibition lists.
Related news: Ministry destroys imported second-hand clothes
Translator: Sinta Ambarwati, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Anton Santoso
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