Fadli, Jakarta – Batam Island authorities in the Riau Islands have arrested 25 people for allegedly importing secondhand clothes illegally, as the government intensifies its crackdown on the booming thrifting business.
The Barelang Police, which oversee Batam Island, said the suspects were arrested during a raid on Saturday at a storage unit in Tanjung Uncang, Batam City.
"We conducted the raid after receiving tips from the public about suspected unloading of imported used goods without official documents. When officers arrived, they found workers moving large bundles of secondhand clothes into the warehouse," Barelang Police Chief Sr. Comr. Zaenal Arifin said over the weekend.
Zaenal said officers discovered two containers filled with large sacks of used clothes, as well as three trucks prepared to distribute the items to local markets. He added that the 25 suspects arrested were truck drivers and laborers working at the facility.
Zaenal emphasized that the operation reflects the police's commitment to enforcing the law and curbing the circulation of illegally imported goods that could disrupt the local economy.
"The Barelang Police will take firm action against any legal violations, especially those that could cause financial losses to the state," Zaenal said.
Indonesia has repeatedly sought to curb the import and sale of secondhand clothing, which was officially banned in 2022, in an effort to protect domestic textile producers and address public health risks.
Despite the ban, thrifting remains popular among younger consumers, drawn to its affordability and environmental appeal. The trade has also continued to flourish on social media and online marketplaces.
As demand persists, used clothing continues to enter the country through illegal channels, driven by weak oversight and a lack of clear sanctions for violators.
According to the United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database (UN Comtrade), Indonesia imported more than 12 tonnes of used clothing in 2023, generating nearly US$30 million in trade revenue. The shipments came mostly from the United Kingdom, the United States, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.
A separate report from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) showed that in 2024 alone, the country imported more than 3,800 tonnes of used clothes.
Batam has long served as an entry point for illegally imported secondhand goods from neighboring countries, including Singapore, located just 20 kilometers away. In addition to used clothing, businesses in Batam have also been found smuggling secondhand shoes, suitcases and kitchenware from Singapore.
The imported clothes are often sold in Batam's secondhand markets for as little as Rp10,000 (US$0.60) per item, with many shipments later transported by wooden boats to mainland Sumatra and Java for resale.
Recently, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa pledged to clamp down on the illegal import of used clothing and warned of potential fines for thrift traders, as well as the blacklisting of individuals and companies involved in smuggling.
Purbaya said the government would tighten oversight at ports and other entry points to stem the inflow of smuggled apparel. He also urged thrift store operators to shift toward locally made textile products to help revive the domestic fashion and garment industry.
On Friday, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Ministry also summoned the country's major e-commerce platforms to demand they stop advertising and selling imported secondhand clothing.
Representatives from the Indonesian E-Commerce Association (idEA), whose members include Shopee, Tokopedia and TikTok Shop, said the group had agreed to strengthen monitoring efforts to ensure the digital trade ecosystem remains orderly and compliant with regulations.
However, some customers have expressed disappointment over the crackdown.
Anton, a Batam resident and thrifting enthusiast, said he prefers buying secondhand branded clothes, because they tend to last longer than new, lower-quality garments.
"I love buying secondhand clothes because branded items, even when used, are more durable and made from better-quality fabric," Anton said.