Indonesia Moves To Halt Thrifting Of Imported Apparel Online
Indonesia has directed e-commerce platforms to remove online stores selling imported secondhand clothing as part of a broader effort to curb the growing thrifting trend, which the government says is hurting local businesses.
MSME Minister Maman Abdurrahman said on Thursday that he had instructed major platforms to immediately halt the sale of imported used apparel. “Selling secondhand clothes is no longer allowed,” he stated at the Islamic Seminar and Financial Expo (EKSiS). He added that several platforms have already begun taking down such listings.
The minister will meet e-commerce operators on Friday to review compliance and push for stronger promotion of domestically made products. “We will encourage e-commerce platforms to fully support local goods. That’s the spirit,” he said.
Government data from the Trade Ministry shows imports of finished textiles and used clothing reached US$ 78.19 million between January and July 2025, marking a 17.33% increase from the same period a year earlier. Most of the imported items came from China, Vietnam and Bangladesh.
To prevent job losses among thrift sellers, the ministry is preparing a transition programme to connect them with MSMEs producing local apparel. The move follows President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to offer alternative livelihoods rather than shutting businesses down.
“The government does not want thrift traders to lose their income,” Abdurrahman said. “We will guide them to sell locally made fashion, which is competitive in quality, design and price.”
