Specifically for Indonesian Migrant Workers, the Government Loosens the Rules for Bringing and Sending Goods

After the meeting, Benny Rhamdani said that the government wants to provide convenience and appreciation to Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) who have contributed greatly to the country.

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

Therefore, the government has decided to repeal the regulation limiting the imported goods for Indonesian migrant workers listed in Trade Ministerial Regulation Number 36 Year 2023 on Import Policies and Regulations. Previously, this regulation had been protested by netizens, migrant workers, and BP2MI for limiting the types and quantities of certain goods that could be brought from abroad.

As a result, a number of goods belonging to migrant workers are currently still stuck at a number of ports. "Don't act as if we suspect PMI if it sends goods to Indonesia for business, trade or jastip (deposit service). They send more goods to their families, as souvenirs. "So, we have decided that regarding PMI goods, Minister of Trade Regulation Number 36/2023 is held, revoked, and returned to Minister of Trade Regulation Number 25 of 2023," said Benny.

With the revocation of that regulation, there will no longer be any restrictions on the types and quantities of goods sent by the PMI from their placement country to their homeland. Additionally, there will also be no disposal of excess PMI belongings deemed to exceed the quota limit.

"So, PMI should not be limited in how much and what type of goods they can bring. For example, there can only be two pairs of footwear. Nothing else, the only important thing is the value (as long as it is under 500 US dollars for one delivery it will be free of import duties). "It's a pity that they worked for years to collect money to buy souvenirs for their families, but it was destroyed," he said.

Its discretion will be at the customs. As long as the customs consider this item as belonging to PMI, there is nothing prohibited, then it will be released, and it will be done in one day.

Following the revocation of Trade Ministry Regulation Number 36 of 2023, the status of PMI goods that are currently still held at Tanjung Emas and Tanjung Perak ports will also be released according to the shipping address. Currently, at least 51-57 percent of the goods entering those ports belong to PMI.

"The discretion will be with the customs. As long as the customs consider this item to belong to PMI, there is nothing forbidden and it can be released, and it will be done within one day. Why should it be detained for a long time in the port?" said Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan.

Regarding the personal belongings of non-PMI, Zulkifli stated that for now, all of the Trade Minister's Regulation No. 36 of 2023 will be revoked and returned to the provisions of Trade Minister's Regulation No. 25 of 2022 first. "(For non-PMI), it will not be regulated in the Trade Minister's Regulation, only in the Minister of Finance's Regulation. You can buy one or two clothes, just make sure to pay the tax," said Zulkifli when asked about the rules on limitations of personal belongings for non-PMI.

Minister of Trade Regulation Number 36 of 2023 regulates restrictions on a number of types and quantities of items carried by passengers, namely electronic devices, footwear, textile items, bags, shoes, as well as cell phones, headsets and tablet computers.

Also read: Import Duty Exemption Rules for Goods Consigned by Migrant Workers Finalized

Commodities that are limited in quantity are footwear (maximum two pairs per passenger), bags (maximum two pairs per passenger), textile goods (maximum five pieces per passenger), electronic devices (maximum five units with a total of 1,500 US dollars), and cell phones , headsets, and tablet computers (maximum two units per passenger) within a period of one year.

The rules for exemption of import duty for PMI's personal belongings still apply with a maximum value of 1,500 US dollars for three shipments in one year, or 500 US dollars for one shipment. These exemption rules are regulated in PMK Number 141 of 2023 concerning Imports of PMI Goods.

For the time being, if the value of a migrant worker's baggage exceeds $1,500 US dollars, customs duties/taxes will be applied normally as with other foreign goods. "So, if the $1,500 US dollars limit has been met, then any excess is considered a regular item that must also be taxed," said Benny.

However, in order to provide greater leeway for PMI, the limit of the value of carried goods at $1,500 USD will also be revised. The government is looking at the Philippines, which grants duty-free exemption up to a value of $2,800 USD for goods brought by migrant workers.

The proposed revision of the PMI luggage value limit will soon be brought to a meeting with President Joko Widodo to be decided together. "We propose that the limit be increased to 2,800 US dollars in accordance with Philippine best practice. However, if we can't, we will bargain up to 2,500 US dollars. "At the meeting, everyone agreed, but we will wait for the president's approval," said Benny.