Due to recent bureaucratic hurdles, Indonesia has relaxed import regulations for electronics, footwear, and textiles to expedite the processing goods stuck at ports. This announcement comes after Jakarta tightened import rules in March, impacting over 3,000 goods and requiring permits and recommendations for importers. Further restrictions on electronic goods like refrigerators and laptops were implemented in April.
These stricter measures led to a backlog of over 26,000 containers at Indonesia’s two largest seaports. The containers held a variety of goods, including steel, clothing, electronics, and chemicals. Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto announced a return to previous, less stringent import rules, effective immediately to address this issue. Steel imports will still require permits, but the government has pledged to expedite the process.
Details of the relaxed regulations are yet to be officially released. This move follows the government’s decision in April to ease restrictions on certain raw materials used by industries, after facing complaints from the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
