Indonesia Seizes 43 Containers of Illegal Used Clothing Valued at Rp 37‑53 billion

On 23 June 2026 Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa announced that customs agents seized 43 containers at Jakarta’s Tanjung Priok port containing illegal imported used clothing (balepress). Physical inspection of 19 containers revealed 2,067 bales; authorities estimate the full load to be about 4,687 bales with a market value of roughly Rp 37.5 billion to Rp 53 billion. Follow‑up operations in West Kalimantan uncovered two warehouses holding an additional 2,060 bales, valued at about Rp 16.5 billion. The crackdown involved the Ministry of Finance, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, BAIS TNI, the Prosecutor’s Office and the police. Purbaya said the government will “track the owners of the warehouses and those linked to the 43 containers” and will destroy the seized goods to protect the domestic textile industry and public health. He also warned that illegal used clothing can spread disease and undermine local manufacturers. The authorities plan to pursue legal action against the ship operators, importers and storage owners and to tighten customs enforcement to prevent similar smuggling.