ALSA 2025 meeting

The import ban on used clothing imposed by the Indonesian government as an effort to protect the environment often clashes with the social and economic realities of the community, particularly small and medium enterprises in the thrifting business. In the context of international law, this policy needs to be reviewed for compliance with Article XX letter b of GATT 1994, as well as the potential for concrete evidence related to health contained in imported used clothing. The objectives of this study are: 1) to analyze the social impact of the ban on imported used clothing on the community and thrifting businesses. 2) To ensure that imported used clothing does not contain harmful bacteria and viruses so as not to violate the rules of Article XX letter b of GATT 1994. The method used in this research is a socio-legal approach, which involves collecting primary data directly from the field, including interviews with thrifting traders, thrifting consumers, local government officials. Secondary data from laws and regulations, journals, news, social media, and GATT 1994 regulations. The results of this study are: 1) the impact that occurs when the government prohibits imported used clothing business actors will have difficulty in finding income and making their lives unprofitable, while the impact on the people who consume it, especially the lower middle class, will have difficulty in having good quality clothes at low prices. Other alternatives are needed to imposition of taxes or import duties for imported used clothing in Indonesia. 2) It has been found in several previous studies that in 25 samples of imported used clothing, bacteria and viruses were found that can cause skin diseases in consumers who consume them. we need safety standards to avoid violating international trade regulations.
Key word: used cloting imported ban, GATT 1994, thrifting business, community