Indonesia's Trade Minister Says Illegal Imports Task Force Not Targeting Ordinary Businesses

The Minister of Trade (Mendag) confirmed that the regulatory focus of the Working Group on the Regulation of Illegally Imported Goods (Satgas), which applies to import trade procedures, is on importers and/or distributors of illegal goods and is not directed at retailers or traders in shopping centers.It is also possible for the working group to carry out inspections in shopping centers, however the essence of the inspections is to seek information on illegal importers. The task of this regulatory working group is, firstly, to make an inventory of problems in the regulation of certain goods to which the import trade regime applies. Secondly, to define program objectives and work procedures. Thirdly, to examine the business licenses or requirements for certain goods that apply to the import trade system, including the Indonesian National Standard SNI as well as taxes. In addition to this, the task force is also responsible for providing clarification to merchants on suspected violations, and legal actions are carried out in accordance with applicable legal provisions in accordance with the authorities. The types of goods to be regulated by the Import Control Task Force include textiles and textile products (TPT), other textiles, electronics, footwear, clothing, ceramics, and beauty products or cosmetics.

The Import Control Working Group consists of 11 ministries/agencies (K/L), including the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag), the Attorney General's Office, PNTL, the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu), the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin), the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham), the National Intelligence Agency (BIN), Food and Drugs Supervisory Agency (BPOM), Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla), the Indonesian Navy, and the Regional/Competent Municipal and Provincial Working Group on Trade in Services. The Task Force will work until December 2024, and if the next government wishes to continue the operation of the Import Control Task Force, it will be further evaluated whether it still needs to be extended. The Task Force will work until the end of this year, so since it has one more year of operation, it is until the end of December 2024. Later on the next government will again consider whether a further extension is needed. In addition the Task Force on the Regulation of Goods for which the new Import Trade Regulations come into force starts its effective work on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, because the Implementation Directive (Juklak) and the Technical Directive (Juknis) can only be completed on Monday, July 22, 2024.The Task Force will work until the end of this year.