Dubbed the ‘Bali Kmart’ this Australian expat compares the two.
Australians flocking to Bali for a low‑cost winter escape may face a rude shock at the customs counter on arrival home.
The island remains the go‑to for sun, surf and bargain prices, yet the savings can unravel the moment you land back in the country.
Market stalls brim with imitation labels — from faux luxury handbags to Gazelle‑style shoes going for pocket change.
The tell‑tale signs are easy enough, but the real hazard hits back in Australia, where holiday-makers can face a nasty surprise at the border.
The Australian Government introduced a bill earlier this year that makes the importation of counterfeit goods an offence, with penalties of up to $4,950 for individuals.
Now, it appears that one retailer could make average Australians an unexpected offender.
A store called Bandung Collection, known to Australians as Bali Kmart or Indonesian’s Kmart, appears to be a more sophisticated operation selling genuine goods with counterfeit products placed around each store.
It comes as the Australian Border Force has issued a fresh warning for holiday-goers who buy and return home with some of these fake items.
“If a buyer purchases a fake, not only are they losing money on a cheap and bad quality product, but they’re buying something that is potentially dangerous that could cause harm to themselves, family and the wider community,” a spokesperson told Yahoo Lifestyle.
If people return with fake goods, Australia’s Border Force revealed they could risk having them confiscated, as they may not meet the country’s strict mandatory standards.
There are roughly a dozen Bandung Collection shops in the southern part of Bali, with one near Kuta and the Denpasar Airport.
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Many counterfeit options were available at Badung Collective. Photo: Instagram.
People can find footwear, cosmetics, skincare, sunglasses, kids’ toys, stationery, office supplies, electronics, gloves, jewellery, and even bedding and towels inside, according to Bali Live.
Shoppers can purchase handbags for as little as $14.50, thongs for $5.14, and jeans for $18.20.
Rick Creamer, an Aussie expat who has been living in Bali for more than a year, told Yahoo Lifestyle that he understood Bandung Collection’s appeal.
“It’s just the same stuff that you’d buy on the street, but it’s set prices,” he said.
Negotiating a price tag is a cultural norm in places like Bali, Thailand, and Vietnam – many know this as haggling.
Mr Creamer was flooded with messages after posting a video on social media about his visit to a Bandung Collection store.
“This is where I have been shopping for years,” said one traveller.
“Mixture of everything there. It’s not so big, very Indonesian, some prices are good, and some are a bit pricey.
“Glasses for $2.50, hats for $3, bags for $10. So much selection, and they have a pharmacy part with makeup, perfume, and body wash,” added another.
“I get my polarised glasses from here. I think they are around $10 and are really good for going to events, as you never mind if you scratch or lose them,” wrote a third.
Interestingly, Mr Creamer explained that Bandung’s introduction had caused a bit of a rift in Bali.
“It’s taking away from the street sellers, who are now sort of getting quite aggressive because their rents have gone up, and people aren’t buying from them,” he said.
Bandung Collection was created for Indonesians, not for tourists, and, as a result, the sizing reflects that vision.
Badung Collective. Photo: Instagram.
While travellers can obviously shop there, it’s worth knowing that you might struggle to find clothing that’ll fit you.
“Aussies are not the smallest of people, so you get to get them going in, and they’re like, ‘Well, there’s no 5XL,’” he said.
“People wear 6-7-8-9XL shirts over here, and then they go to these shops and think it’s horrible because they haven’t got their sizes.”
He also explained that there’s an ethical conundrum that you’d have to weigh up when shopping there.
“[Bandung Collection] isn’t reliant on tourists, whereas the ones in the street markets, they’re reliant on tourists, because Indonesians don’t shop there,” he said.
But you also have to watch what you buy.
There are cheap knock-offs of well-known brands like Adidas, Nike, and Havaianas and while it might be a great idea to pick up something for less than a cup of coffee, it could come back to bite you.
There’s no telling whether the products meet Australia’s high mandatory standards.
“There are serious health, safety and environmental concerns over fake versions of products including children’s toys, cosmetics, batteries, and safety equipment.”