Import arrangement to be introduced in January

Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu on Monday revised a policy on entry limitation of five categories of imported goods at certain ports and airports to be introduced on January 1, The Jakarta Post reported. She had earlier rescheduled the introduction of the new policy to February 15 but said she was aware of pressure from local manufacturers for faster implementation.
Under the policy, five categories of goods including garments, footwear, toys, electronics, food and beverages can only enter the country through five designated ports and certain international airports.
For now, only garments will enter the country using pre-shipment inspection (PSI) procedures as of January 1 while the four other categories of goods will use these inspection procedures as of February 1.
The ports that will serve as entry points are Belawan in North Sumatra, Tanjung Priok in Jakarta, Tanjung Emas in Central Java, Tanjung Perak in East Java and Makassar in South Sulawesi .
The policy is aimed at strengthening supervision of the customs office against the possible smuggling of these products.Industry Minister Fahmi Idris said his ministry was drafting a proposal requesting the Trade Ministry to expand the categories of imported goods that could enter the country only through the designated ports. It proposed that the import restrictions be extended to cosmetics, ceramics, steel, energy-saving lamps, cell phones, auto parts (spark plugs and filters) and bicycles, Idris said.