Jokowi Steps in to Amend Controversial Trade Minister’s Import Regulation
Jakarta. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has been directly involved in amending the controversial trade minister regulation on imports following reports that people had to pay more in duties than the actual price of goods they bought for personal use, not for commercial purposes.
Another compelling reason for the amendment is the soaring number of containers being held at ports due to increased procedures on arriving goods from overseas suppliers, Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said on Friday.
“The president’s directive for revisions of the trade minister regulation was agreed upon this afternoon and will be complemented by a decision from the finance minister,” Airlangga said in a news conference at his office in Jakarta.
He confirmed that the revised regulation applied immediately from Friday.
Airlangga revealed that as many as 26,415 containers have not received clearance from the customs office and related authorities.
The amended regulation relaxed clearance procedures for certain commodities, including electronics, footwear, apparel, fashion accessories, bags, and valves, the minister said.
In addition, the import of herbal medicines, health supplements, housewares, and cosmetics only requires approval from surveyors to get clearance.
He said the amendment is expected to speed up the procedures to release thousands of containers that have been held for months or even a year.
"Imported goods that have obtained permits but are still being held at ports can now get clearance," Airlangga said.
"The trade minister regulation excludes imported goods for personal use from the procedures imposed by the Finance Ministry or the Customs and Excise Directorate," he added.
The decision came after people took to the internet to report that they were levied duties much higher than the price of products they bought, such as toys or clothes. An internet user also reported that a man in Sumatra was charged a high duty for the coffin he used to carry his deceased father from a Malaysian hospital.
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