Illegal goods definitely violate the applicable proceduresTangerang, Banten (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan and officials from the Trade Ministry's Directorate General of Consumer Protection and Trade Order have destroyed illegally imported goods that were worth some Rp13.31 billion (US$896,500).
Minister Hasan added that the commodities destroyed included food and drink products, traditional medicines, health supplements, forestry products, and copper plates that came from Thailand, China, and India.
"Earlier, we found imported goods with no documents from the customs. Hence, they are illegal. We have burned some of them, which is worth more than Rp13.31 billion," Hasan said, after destroying the products in Tangerang City, Banten, on Friday.
He emphasized that illegal goods are detrimental to Indonesia, as they cause the country to lose potential tax revenues. In addition, such goods can interfere with the country's economy, he added.
According to the minister, an imported product is considered illegal if its importer does not possess documents of surveyor reports or its exception statement, import approval letter, and goods registration number.
The monitoring of post borders is implemented in accordance with the Trade Minister's Regulation Number 25 of 2022 regarding import policies and regulations, by inspecting the conformity between the importer's import permit and the imported goods.
The inspection comes after the goods leave the customs area with the aim to stimulate businesses and investments in Indonesia.
"Illegal goods definitely violate the applicable procedures. They hurt and disturb MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises),” Minister Hasan stressed.
The action was taken in order to provide a deterrent to business actors who violate Indonesia's laws, since their illegal practices harm the country's economy.
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Translator: Maria Cicilia, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Sri Haryati
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