Reiterating that the sale of imported used clothing, or ‘thrifting,’ is strictly prohibited by law, the Indonesian Government is strongly urging the public to stop purchasing such products. The crackdown comes as thrifting remains rampant, driven by strong consumer demand across various digital platforms and marketplaces.

Reni Yanita, Director General, Small, Medium, and Miscellaneous Industries at the Ministry of Industry, states, they still exist because there is demand. That's why we continue to urge the public not to buy thrifted goods."

The surge in illegal imports is severely impacting domestic businesses. Data from Statistics Indonesia shows, imports of finished textiles, used clothing, and rags reached $78.19 million between January and July 2025, marking a 17.33 per cent Y-o-Y. The main sources for these goods include China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Taiwan, and Singapore.

Highlighting the competitive disadvantage faced by local producers, garment entrepreneur Ellianah Setiady explains, the disruption from illegal importers, especially from China, is enormous. Production costs are high due to the regional minimum wage and taxes, while imported goods are much cheaper.

Setiady notes, illegal goods are increasingly being sold on digital platforms, including through live marketplace sales and personal shopping services from abroad. These practices clearly violate regulations and pose a significant risk to the domestic industry, she emphasizes. She urged the government to protect local businesses by re-establishing a task force dedicated to monitoring illegal imports.