Reni Yanita, Director General of Small, Medium, and Miscellaneous Industries at the Ministry of Industry, said thrifting remains rampant across platforms and marketplaces due to strong demand.
"They still exist because there is demand. That's why we continue to urge the public not to buy thrifted goods," Yanita said after attending the Indonesia Fashion Ecosystem Summit (IDFES) 2025 in Jakarta on Friday.
Data from Statistics Indonesia shows imports of finished textiles, used clothing, and rags reached US$78.19 million from January to July 2025 — a 17.33 percent increase year-on-year. The main supplying countries include China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Taiwan, and Singapore.
Garment entrepreneur Ellianah Setiady said illegal imports are hurting local businesses.
"The disruption from illegal importers, especially from China, is enormous. Our production costs are high due to the regional minimum wage and taxes, while imported goods are much cheaper," she explained.
She added that illegally imported goods are increasingly sold on digital platforms, including live marketplace sales and personal shopping services from abroad. Such practices, she said, clearly violate regulations and risk damaging the domestic industry.
Setiady expressed hope that the government would reinstate a task force to monitor illegal imports in order to protect local producers.
As part of its control measures, the government has amended a trade ministerial regulation that prohibits the import of used clothing and other secondhand goods.
In July 2024, the government also set up a task force to supervise illegally imported products and prevent their entry into Indonesia. However, its mandate expired in December 2024.
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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Anton Santoso
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