There are no longer restrictions on the types and quantities of goods sent by migrant workers and passengers' personal luggage

Regulations regarding shipped and imported goods from abroad, as well as the import of a number of industrial raw materials have been revised.

KOMPAS/AGNES THEODORA

Officials at the temporary storage site of Indra Jaya Swastika in Surabaya, East Java, unpacked the packages of Indonesian migrant worker shipments after they were designated as "red lane". Items that are categorized as red lane must be inspected through document research and physical examination of the goods.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The Ministry of Trade no longer limits the type, quantity and condition of goods sent by Indonesian migrant workers and personal luggage of passengers from overseas. The provisions that apply are restrictions on the value of goods, as well as the imposition of import duties and import taxes on consigned goods and carry-on goods which refer to the Minister of Finance's regulations.

The relaxation of the types, quantity, and condition of new or used goods sent as parcels or baggage is regulated in the Minister of Trade Regulation (Permendag) Number 7 of 2024. This regulation is the second amendment to Permendag Number 36 of 2023.

Signed by the Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan on April 29, 2024, this regulation is currently in the process of being promulgated at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkum HAM).

The new regulation eliminates restrictions on the type, quantity and condition of goods carried by PMI from abroad.

According to Zulkifli, the new regulation eliminates the limitation on the types, amounts, and conditions of goods or packages brought by Indonesian migrant workers from overseas. The regulation on the import of goods or packages brought by Indonesian migrant workers will apply retroactively starting from December 11, 2023.

"As a result, the issue of detained imported goods sent by Indonesian migrant workers through several ports in Indonesia since that date has been resolved," he said in a press release in Jakarta on Tuesday (April 30, 2024).

KOMPAS/CYPRIANUS ANTO SAPTOWALYONO

Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan delivering a statement at the Presidential Palace complex, Jakarta, Thursday (18/1/2024).

However, Zulkifli continued, import regulations of the luggage or shipments of Indonesian migrant workers and personal luggage of passengers from abroad still refer to the regulations of the Minister of Finance (PMK). Regarding imported goods carried by Indonesian migrant workers, for example, the regulations still refer to PMK Number 141 of 2023 concerning Provisions for Importing Goods of Indonesian Migrant Workers.

The regulation in the PMK stipulates the exemption of import duty for personal goods carried by Indonesian migrant workers with a maximum value of 1,500 US dollars for three shipments in one year, or 500 US dollars for one shipment.

Also read: Subject to Prohibitions and Restrictions, Goods Belonging to Indonesian Migrant Workers Detained at Customs

Regarding the personal belongings of passengers, Zukifli added that Trade Minister Regulation Number 7 of 2024 no longer specifies limits on the type, amount, and condition of goods, except for prohibited and dangerous items. Customs duties and import taxes also still refer to Ministry of Finance Regulation Number 203 of 2017 concerning Provisions on Exports and Imports of Goods Carried by Passengers and Transport Crew.

"Regarding passengers' personal luggage in the Trade Ministerial Regulation, the import of passengers' personal luggage refers to the PMK," he said.

Previously, Regulation of the Minister of Trade No. 36/2023 regulates the limitation of certain types and quantities of passenger baggage. The commodities limited in quantity are footwear (maximum two pairs per passenger), bags (maximum two pieces per passenger), textiles (maximum five pieces per passenger), and electronic devices (maximum five units with a total value of 1,500 US dollars).

Other restricted items are cell phones, headsets and tablet computers. The limit is a maximum of two units per passenger. All these restrictions are valid for a period of one year.

This rule has been protested by netizens, migrant workers, and the Indonesian Migrant Worker Protection Agency (BP2MI) because it limits the types and amounts of certain goods that can be brought in from abroad. As a result, a number of migrant workers' possessions have been detained at various ports.

Also read: Especially for Indonesian Migrant Workers, the Government Loosens Rules for Carrying and Sending Goods

Benny Rhamdani, the head of BP2MI, stated that with the changes to the trading permit, the government aims to provide convenience and appreciation to Indonesian migrant workers. Until now, they have made a significant contribution to the country.

"It should not be as if we suspect Indonesian migrant workers if they send goods to Indonesia for business, trade or jastip (deposit service). "They send more goods to their families, as souvenirs," said Benny (Kompas, 16/4/2024).

Industrial raw materials

In addition, Trade Minister Regulation Number 7 of 2024 also brings back the regulation of importing several industrial raw material commodities in Indonesia to Trade Minister Regulation Number 25 of 2022 concerning Amendments to Trade Minister Regulation No. 20/2021 regarding Policies and Regulations on Imports.

The return to the old regulations is the result of an evaluation of the regulation of several industrial raw material commodities that had import obstacles.

Zulkifli explained that returning to the old policy was aimed at making it easier to import industrial raw materials. This includes, among other things, fortificant premixes as raw materials for the flour industry.

Fortificant premixes are fortification of wheat flour, namely the addition of micronutrients such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), folic acid, and vitamins B1 and B2. This material is needed to produce wheat flour that complies with the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 3751:2018.

Previously, according to the Ministry of Trade Regulation Number 36 of 2023, the commodity could only be imported by holders of a general import identification number (API-U) under customs supervision equipped with import approval instruments (PI) and surveyor reports (LS).

Through Minister of Trade Regulation Number 7 of 2024, these commodities can be imported by holders of API-U and producer import identification numbers (API-P) with supervision outside the customs area (post border) equipped with LS.

"The import regulation changes are also implemented for lubricant raw materials. Now, the required Product Identification for the commodity no longer requires a recommendation from the Ministry of Industry," said Zulkifli.

Changes in the import regulations for industrial raw materials and personal baggage imports of passengers will be implemented seven days after the issuance of Trade Ministry Regulation Number 7 of 2024 by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. With this regulation, the Ministry of Trade hopes that there will no longer be any obstacles experienced by Indonesian migrant workers, passengers, and industries that use imported raw materials.

Also read: Apindo Hopes There Will Be an Evaluation of Import Policies