Indonesia strictly monitors seven imported goods

Indonesian officials have announced that the country will soon establish a special task force to monitor and prevent smuggled goods from entering Indonesia in the near future.

Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan on Friday stated that the widespread influx of foreign imported goods into the Indonesian market is causing economic damage and stifling domestic manufacturing industries.

However, efforts to combat this situation face many challenges due to limitations in monitoring mechanisms and accountability from enforcement agencies. The current requirement is for a special task force with comprehensive solutions to achieve positive results, he added.

According to Hasan, the inter-agency special task force will be established, including representatives from the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Industry, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the National Police, and the Attorney General’s Office.

Initially, this task force will monitor seven categories of goods including textiles and textile products (TPT), electronics, footwear, clothing, ceramics, and cosmetics.

Hasan stated that authorities will closely monitor these seven types of goods at ports on the island of Java, as this area has the largest volume of goods imported into Indonesia. Inspections at ports outside Java will be conducted if there is information about imported goods to ensure cost-effectiveness and efficiency.

Hasan emphasised that all relevant units agree that smuggled goods entering Indonesia are affecting domestic production activities. Tightening the flow of goods into the Indonesian market will stimulate domestic products.