Jakarta – The Indonesian government has clarified that there is no obligation for Indonesia to import second-hand clothes from the United States. This statement comes in response to circulating reports regarding the bilateral trade agreement between the two countries.
The government, through the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, explained that concerns over importing intact second-hand clothing are a misunderstanding. The trade agreement with the US only allows for the import of “shredded worn clothing”—clothes that have been shredded—intended as raw material for local textile industries, not for resale in the retail market.
This initiative aims to support domestic industries, particularly fiber and filament yarn manufacturers, by utilizing textile waste as raw material. However, the government emphasized that intact second-hand clothes remain prohibited from entering the Indonesian market.
Industry associations such as the Indonesian Fiber and Filament Yarn Producers Association (APSyFI) have requested that the government closely monitor imports of shredded clothing to ensure they do not leak into the retail market as wearable items.
With this clarification, the government confirms that Indonesia is not obliged to import second-hand clothing from the US, and urges the public to rely on official sources and avoid misinformation.
