Indonesia tightens importation of 11 products, including sneakers, bicycles

Indonesia tightened importation rules for certain consumer products, including sports footwear, bicycles, and air conditioning electronics, after imports exceeded 70 percent in May and June.

The country is now requiring import permits and would implement tighter document controls over the importation of 11 types of products.

The new rules, which took effect on Aug. 28, will also regulate entry points into Indonesia for those goods.

According to data from Indonesia's statistics agency, the combined total import value of the said 11 types of products that were US$332.2 million in the first half.

In June alone, imports reached $48.5 million, up from the $25.7 million in May.

The trade ministry did not explain why those imports had increased sharply.

But cycling has become a more popular form of exercise in Jakarta while coronavirus-related restrictions were put in place.