Indonesia lifts two-decade-old restrictions on sea sand exports

President Joko officially lifted restrictions on the export of sea sand, even though such exports had been banned since 20 years ago.Sea Sand Export Policy Since the Minister of Trade has issued the revised versions of two new regulations as a follow-up to the implementation of Government Regulation (PP) No. 26 of 2023 on Marine Sediment Management and the proposal of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP). The two regulations are Trade Minister Regulation No. 20 of 2024 on the Second Amendment to the Trade Minister Regulation No. 22 of 2023 on Prohibited Goods for Export and Trade Minister Regulation No. 21 of 2024 on the Second Amendment to the Trade Minister Regulation No. 2 of 2023 on Prohibited Goods for Export. The amendment of these two Trade Ministers' Regulations is authorized by Government Regulation No. 26 of 2023 and proposed by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) as the supervisory body for the management of the results of deposition at sea.

The export of marine sand may take place only after domestic needs have been met, and the export of marine sediment products in the form of marine sand may be determined as long as domestic needs are met and legal requirements are met.The purpose of regulating the export of marine sand is in line with PP No. 26 of 2023, and the regulation aims to overcome sedimentation, which reduces the carrying capacity and volume of coastal and marine ecosystems and affects the health of the oceans. In addition regulating the export of marine sand can optimize marine sedimentation outcomes for the development and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems. The types of marine sand that can be exported are regulated by the Minister of Trade Regulation No. 21 of 2024, which references the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Decree No. 47 of 2024 on the specifications for the export of marine sedimentary sand. In order to be able to export the relevant marine sand, a number of requirements must be met in accordance with the Minister of Trade Regulation No. 21 of 2024. The relevant requirements are designated as being a registered exporter (ET), having an export license approval (PE) and having a surveyor's report (LS).