Indonesia Lifts Restrictions on Migrant Workers' Carry-on Goods

Jakarta – The government has officially lifted the regulation regarding restrictions on Indonesian Migrant Workers' (PMI) carry-on goods.

The restrictions were set in Minister of Trade Regulation Number 36 of 2023, concerning Import Policies and Regulations which has been changed to Minister of Regulation Number 3 of 2024.

This decision was the result of a limited coordination meeting held at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs with the Ministry of Trade, the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI), and the Ministry of Industry on Tuesday (Apr 16).

Trade Minister, Zulkifli Hasan stated that the provisions for PMI goods returned to the old rules. It means migrant workers do not have to pay import duty of US$1,500 or around IDR24.3 million.

He also asked the Directorate General of Customs to immediately release the detained PMI goods. Because if the PMI's luggage is worth US$ 1,500, then the goods need to be released.

"What about the goods that have accumulated from customs friends, it is considered US$1,500 just issued, one day is finished. If the value of US$1,500 is checked, nothing is prohibited, just take it out," the Minister said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Protection Agency (BP2MI) Benny Rhamdani said that the restrictions on sending PMIs were lifted and returned to the US$1,500 import duty relaxation.

"About PMI, it officially revoked, and then returned to Trade Ministry Regulation Number 25. It means the restriction on PMI goods is tax relaxation, which is US$1,500," Rhamdani remarked.

"Goods of migrant workers are not restricted. The important thing is its value, it's no longer regulated by the Trade Ministry," he added.

According to Rhamdany, this regulation will make it easier for Indonesian Migrant Workers who bring luggage from their workplace abroad.

"No more migrant workers' goods are returned to the country of origin or destroyed," he concluded.