Jakarta. The government has reversed its decision to restrict imported goods carried by air passengers due to public outcry.

The policy, aimed at safeguarding local industries, affected Indonesia's overseas workers and international shoppers, who faced import duties for exceeding the regulations. The public has raised worries over the policy, especially regarding apprehensions about potential extortion or illegal fees by airport authorities.

The Trade Ministry introduced a regulation on imported goods last year, which officially took effect on March, 10. Under this regulation, passengers are allowed a maximum of 2 pairs of footwear and 2 bags. Textile products are capped at 5 pieces per passenger, while each passenger is permitted to carry electronics totaling $1,500, limited to 5 units. Additionally, mobile phones, headsets, and tablet computers are restricted to 2 units per passenger per year.

"Trade Minister's Regulation Number 36/2023 concerning Import Policies and Regulations is revoked, and the import policy regulation is reverted to the previous regulation Number 25/2022. Consequently, there is no longer any restriction on the types and items belonging to Indonesian migrant workers," Head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) Benny Rhamdani said in a virtual press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Parcels sent by Indonesian migrant workers are exempt from import duties for shipments valued up to $500 per shipment, up to three shipments per year, or up to $1,500 per year.

If the value of the goods exceeds the specified amount, the excess value will be treated as regular mail and subject to a 7.5 percent import duty.

Meanwhile, international aircraft passengers (non-migrant workers) are no longer bound by the regulations stipulated in the 2023 Trade Minister Regulation. However, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said that the Finance Ministry will formulate a new regulation regarding the types and amount of restricted carried items.

Furthermore, the government will try not to impose restricted importations, and such restrictions would only apply to goods affecting domestic industries.

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