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Textile and Apparel Market Report - Worn Clothing Requirements

Worn (Used) Clothing and Textile Products

OFFICE OF TEXTILES AND APPAREL (OTEXA)

The following information is provided only as a guide and should be confirmed with the appropriate overseas market authorities before embarking on any export activities.

U.S. Trade Data on Worn Clothing and Textile Products:

Schedule B numbers are used by the U.S. Census Bureau to classify exports. The following are the official Schedule B numbers and definitions for U.S. exports of worn clothing and other worn textiles:

  • 6309.00 - Worn/Used clothing and other worn articles
  • 6310.00 - Used or new rags, scrap twine, cordage, rope and cables, and worn-out articles of twine, cordage, rope or cables, of textile materials

Visit OTEXA’s export data, select current export data, and look up by Schedule B code noted above.

Exporting Worn Clothing: Foreign Restrictions and Requirements

The following table summarizes the restrictions and requirements that may apply to worn clothing exported from the United States to various foreign markets. Information contained in this table is provided only as a guide. It is important to check with the appropriate authorities to confirm current restrictions and requirements.

CountryTariffsBanCertificate RequiredNotes
Afghanistan6309 - 2.5%, 6310 - 10%N/AN/AN/A
Albania6309, 6310 - 15%N/AN/AN/A
Algeria6309, 6310 - 30%YesN/ASee “Les marchandises interdites ou suspendues à l’importation et à l’exportation” (Goods prohibited or suspended on import and export).
Angola6309 - 10%, 6310 - 20%N/AYesN/A
Antigua and Barbuda6309 - 20%, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Argentina6309, 6310 - 35%YesYesProhibited, except for donations to government or religious organizations.
Armenia6309 - [16.7% but not less than 0.353 euro per kg],
6310 – 16.7 – 17.5%		N/AN/AN/A
Aruba6309, 6310 - 6%N/AN/AN/A
Australia6309, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Austria (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Azerbaijan6309, 6310 - 15%N/AN/AN/A
Bahamas6309 - 25%, 6310 - 45%N/AN/AN/A
Bahrain6309, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
Bangladesh6309 - 5%-25%,
6310 - 25%		N/AYesN/A
Barbados6309 - 20%, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
Belarus6309 - 15%, but not less than 0.18 Euro/1 kg., 6310 – 15%-17.5%N/AN/AN/A
Belgium (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Belize6309 - 20%, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
Benin6309, 6310 - 20%N/AN/AN/A
Bermuda6309 - 6.5%, 6310 - 25%N/AN/AN/A
Bolivia6309, 6310 - 20%YesYes 
Bosnia Herzegovina6309 - 5%, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Botswana6309 - 20%-60% or 2.500 cents/kg & other per-units, 6310 - 20%YesYesUsed clothing must be fumigated. An import permit is required from the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs.
Brazil6309, 6310 - 35%YesN/AOnly donations of used clothing may be imported and are subject to nonautomatic licensing. Secretaria de Comercio Exterior - SECEX or approvals from other Brazilian government agencies.
Brunei6309 - 0%, 6310 – 0%-5%N/AN/AN/A
Bulgaria (EU)See European UnionYesYesN/A
Burkina Faso6309, 6310 - 20%N/AN/AN/A
Burma (Myanmar)6309 - 5%, 6310 - 1.5%N/AN/AN/A
Burundi6309 - (35% or USD 0.40/kg whichever is higher), 6310 - 10%NoYesShipments of used clothing must be fumigated.
Cabo Verde6309, 6310 - 10%N/AN/AN/A
Cambodia6309, 6310 - 7%N/AN/AN/A
Cameroon6309, 6310 - 30%YesYesImportation of secondhand clothing requires a certificate of no infestation.
Canada6309 - 0%-18%,
6310 - 0%		N/AN/AN/A
Cayman Islands6309, 6310 – 22%N/AN/AN/A
Central African Republic6309, 6310 - 30%N/AN/AN/A
Chad6309, 6310 - 30%N/AN/AN/A
Chile6309, 6310 - 6% U.S.-Chile FTA duty freeN/AN/AFumigation and a certificate of sanitation are required. See Resolution 1101 or contact the Servicio Agrícola y Ganadero - SAG (Agriculture and Livestock Service). Used goods are valued by the customs service according to the current new value of similar merchandise, discounting 10% per year of use, up to a 70% discount. Under the FTA, Chile eliminated the 50% duty surcharge applied to used goods originating from the United States.
China6309 - 14%, 6310 – 6%YesN/AIn the “Catalogue of Solid Wastes Forbidden to Import into China” the following are banned as of January 1, 2018:
-Fine or coarse animals hair including waste yarn, excluding recycled fibers (5103109090, 5103209090, 5103300090)
-Garnetted stock of wool or of fine or coarse animal hair (5104009090)
-Cotton waste including yarn waste and garnetted stock (5202100000, 5202910000, 5202990000)
-Manmade fiber waste including noils, yarn waste and garnetted stock (5505100000, 5505200000)
-Used or new rags, scrap twine, cordage, rope and cables and worn out articles of twine, cordage, rope or cables, of textile materials (6310100010, 6310900010)
Colombia6309, 6310 - 0%YesYes 
Comoros-N/AN/AN/A
Congo Democratic Republic6309 - 10%, 6310 - 10%-20%N/AN/AN/A
Congo Republic6309, 6310 - 30%N/AN/AN/A
Costa Rica6309 - 14%, 6310 - 9% DR-CAFTA duty freeYesN/ADecree Nº 42468NAS This decree therefore requires that points of sale for used and new clothing must post signs (details of size, color, lettering etc. are given) indicating that clothing should be washed by consumers prior to wearing.
Cote D Ivoire6309, 6310 - 20%YesYesWorn clothing is subject to a minimum reference value of CFAF 500/kg.
Croatia (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Cuba6309 - 15%, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Cyprus (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Czech Republic (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Denmark (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Djibouti6309, 6310 - 26%N/AN/AN/A
Dominica6309 - 20%, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Dominican Republic6309, 6310 - 20%YesN/AWorn clothing is banned under DRNA CAFTA and Law No. 458 (1/3/1973) for reasons of public health.
Ecuador6309, 6310 - $5.5/kg + 10%YesN/AN/A
Egypt6309 - 35%, 6310 - 5%YesYesN/A A certificate indicating that goods have been sterilized is required.
NA Used or new rags must meet certain criteria (Decree No.77/2005).
El Salvador6309 - 15%, 6310 - 10% DR-CAFTA duty freeN/AYesN/A Used clothing imports require a health certificate issued by the exporting country, and must be fumigated and certified in El
Equatorial Guinea6309, 6310 - 30%N/AN/AN/A
Eritrea-YesN/AN/A
Estonia (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)6309 – 20 - [35c/u] [50c/u] [60% or 2 500c/kg], 6310 – 20%YesYes 
Ethiopia6309, 6310 - 0%YesN/AN/A
European Union6309 - 5.3%, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Fiji6309 - 96 cents/kg or 32%, or whichever is greater 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
Finland (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
France (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Gabon6309, 6310 - 30%N/AN/AN/A
Gambia6309, 6310 - 20%N/AN/AN/A
Georgia6309, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Germany (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Ghana6309, 6310 - 20%N/AYesN/A
Greece (EU)See European UnionN/AYesN/A
Grenada6309 - 20%, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
Guatemala6309 - 15%, 6310 - 0%-10% DR-CAFTA duty- freeN/AN/AN/A
Guinea6309, 6310 - 20%N/AN/AN/A
Guinea Bissau6309, 6310 - 20%N/AN/AN/A
Guyana6309 - 20%, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
Haiti6309 - 30%, 6310 - 5%YesYesA fumigation certificate is required. See Ministere de L’Economie et des Finances L’Administration Générale des Douanes (AGD) (Ministry of Economy and Finance General Customs Administration) or go directly to “Marchandises Usagees”
Honduras6309 - 15%, 6310 - 10% DR-CAFTA duty- freeN/AYesN/A
Hong Kong6309, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Hungary (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AAn import license is required.
Iceland6309, 6310 - 0%N/AYesProducts subject to conditional import ban under Regulation 509/2004 include:
-wool, used bags or other packaging or wrapping materials,
-used riding gear, including gloves, soiled clothing and rags.
-riding boots and clothes must be washed and/or disinfected before being imported.
-used clothing is subject to import licensing.
India6309 - 10%, 6310 - 5%YesN/APreshipment inspections are required in addition to Certificates of cleanliness countersigned by a practicing physician in the country of origin. The letters “M.D.” must appear after the signature. See Import Policy guidelines Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Foreign Trade Policy 2015NA2020.
Indonesia6309 - 35%, 6310 - 25%YesN/AN/A
Iran-YesN/AN/A
Iraq6309 - 20%, 6310 - 10%N/AN/AN/A
Ireland (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Israel6309, 6310 - 6%YesN/AN/A
Italy (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Jamaica6309 - 20%, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
Japan6309 - 5.8%, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Jordan6309, 6310 - 20%N/AN/AN/A
Kazakhstan6309 - [15%, but not less than 0.18 euro per 1 kg], 6310 - 15-17.5%N/AN/AN/A
Kenya6309 - 35% or USD 0.40/kg, whichever is higher, 6310 - 10%YESYESAll used textiles and used shoes shall be subjected to physical examination and certification under the Pre–export Verification of Conformity to Standards (PVoC) requirements. They must be cleaned and fumigated before baling and shall be accompanied by a
Kosovo Serbia6309, 6310 - 10%N/AN/AN/A
Kuwait6309, 6310 - 5%N/AYESA certificate of disinfection or sterilization is required.
Kyrgyz Republic6309, 6310 - 12%N/AN/AN/A
Laos6309, 6310 - 10%N/AN/AN/A
Latvia (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Lebanon6309 - 5%, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Lesotho6309 - 20% or 60% or 2.500cents/kg & 35cents/unit - 50cents/unit), 6310 - 20%YESN/ANon-automatic licenses apply.
Liberia6309, 6310 – 20%YESN/AOnly Liberians may import or sell used clothing or own enterprises conducting such activities.
Libya-N/AN/AN/A
Lithuania (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Luxemburg (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Macau6309, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Macedonia FYR6309 - 20%, 6310 - 13%N/AN/AN/A
Madagascar6309, 6310 -20%N/AN/AN/A
Malawi6309, 6310 - 25%N/AYESImport licenses are required.
Malaysia6309 - 0%, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
Maldives6309, 6310 - 15%N/AN/AN/A
Mali6309, 6310 - 20%N/AN/AN/A
Malta (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Mauritania6309, 6310 - 20%N/AN/AN/A
Mauritius6309, 6310 - 0%YESN/AN/A
Mexico6309, 6310 - 20%YESYESAn import permit is required, but in practice, is rarely issued.
Moldova6309 - 12.5%, 6310 - 15%N/AN/AN/A
Mongolia6309, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
Montenegro-N/AN/AAn Import License, issued by the Ministry of Economy and good for one year, is required.
Montserrat6309 - 30%, 6310 - 25%N/AN/AN/A
Morocco6309 - 25%, 6310 - 2.5%YESYESImport licensing applies in accordance with Article 1 of Law No. 13-89 on trade, but licenses are not granted for public health and safety reasons.
Mozambique6309 - 20%, 6310 - 7.5%N/AYESN/A
Namibia6309- 20%-60% or 2.500 cents/kg,
6310 - 20%		YESYESNon-automatic licenses apply to imported secondhand clothing and leather products, which can only be imported by registered welfare agencies.
Nepal6309 - Rates of duty as for the corresponding new articles, 6310 - 10%N/AN/AN/A
Netherlands (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
New Caledonia6309 -10%, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
New Zealand6309 - 0% or $1.87/kg, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Nicaragua6309 - 15%, 6310 – 5%-10% DR-CAFTA duty freeYESN/AHealth certificates are required. HS 6310, textile items (i.e. rags) are restricted to imports used solely for recovery of fibers.
Niger6309, 6310 - 20%N/AN/AN/A
Nigeria6309, 6310 – 20%YESN/ASee the “Absolutely Prohibited” List on the Nigerian Customs Service website.
Norway6309 - Rate of duty for similar new goods,
6310 - 0%		N/AN/AN/A
Oman6309, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
Pakistan6309 - 3%, 6310 - 20%N/AYESA certificate of cleanliness signed by a physician, with the letters M.D. following the signature is required. See Ministry of Commerce or go directly to Text of Strategic Trade Policy Framework 2015-18
Panama6309- 10%, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AUsed clothing imports are subject to mandatory consultation with the Departamento de Valoración (Valuation Department) of the Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas (National Customs Authority) prior to clearance. Such goods must have a “Sworn Declaration of Value” form signed by the importer (or a legal representative) declaring the existence and terms of a commercial transaction.”>Used clothing imports are subject to mandatory consultation with the Departamento de Valoración (Valuation Department) of the Autoridad Nacional de Aduanas (National Customs Authority) prior to clearance. Such goods must have a “Sworn Declaration of Value” form signed by the importer (or a legal representative) declaring the existence and terms of a commercial transaction.
Papua New Guinea6309, 6310 - 0%N/AYESN/A
Paraguay6309, 6310 - 35%N/AYESUsed clothing imports are prohibited under Decree No. 7084/00 of January 11, 2000; and used footwear imports are prohibited under Decree No. 6.432/05 of 26 September 2005.
Peru6309 – 11%, 6310 - 0%YESYESImports are restricted (except as charitable donations) under Law No. 28514 of May 25, 2005. Donations to the private sector require an authorization from the Agencia Peruana de Cooperación Internacional – APCI (Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation). Donations to the public sector require an authorization from the Consejo de Ministros del Perú (Peruvian Council of Ministers). See SUNAT Mercancías Restringidas y Prohibidas.(Restricted and Prohibited Goods).
Philippines6309, 6310 - 20%YESYESThe Government of Philippines restricts the importation of used clothing and rags (R.A. 4653). See Bureau of Customs – BOC or the Department of Trade Industry NA DTI. NA An import license is required from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Poland (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Portugal (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Qatar6309, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
Romania (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Russia6309 – 15%, but not less than 0.18 Euro/1 kg., 6310 – 15%-17.5%N/AN/AN/A
Rwanda6309 - [5.0 USD/Kg] [2.5. USD/Kg],
6310 - 10%		N/AN/AN/A
Saint Kitts and Nevis6309 - 10%, 6310 - 0%N/AYESN/A
Saint Lucia6309 - 20%, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines6309 - 20%, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
Saudi Arabia6309 – banned,
6310 - 5%		YESYESN/A
Senegal6309, 6310 - 20%N/AN/AN/A
Serbia6309 - 30%, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
Seychelles6309 - 25%, 6310 - 10%N/AN/AN/A
Sierra Leone6309, 6310 - 20%N/AYesUsed clothing imports require fumigation. A pest risk analysis is carried out prior to the issuance of the phytosanitary certificate by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security – MAFFS
Singapore6309 - 25%, 6310 - 10%N/AN/AN/A
Slovak Republic (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Slovenia (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Solomon Islands6309, 6310 - 10%YESN/ASee Ministry of Finance Customs and Excise
Somalia- YESN/A
South Africa6309.00.13, 6309.00.17 - 60% or 2.500c/kg;
6309.00.25 - 50 cents/unit;
6309.00.45 - 35 cents/unit;
6309.00.90 - 20%;
6310 - 20%		YESN/AAn import permit must be obtained from the International Trade Administration Commission - ITAC prior to importation. (Schedule 4 (referenced in above link)
South Korea6309, 6310 - 8%N/AN/AN/A
Spain (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Sri Lanka6309 - 15%-25%, 6310 - 15%N/AN/AN/A
Sudan6309 - 15%-25%, 6310 - 15%N/AN/AN/A
Suriname6309 - 20%, 6310 - 5%N/AN/APermits are required.
Sweden (EU)See European UnionN/AN/AN/A
Switzerland6309 - 132.00 Fr/100 kg, 6310.1000 - 0.00 Fr/100 kgN/AN/AN/A
Syria6309, 6310 – 30%YESN/AN/A
Taiwan6309 - 10%, 6310 - 1%-10%N/AN/AN/A
Tajikistan6309,6310 - 15%N/AN/AMost textile, apparel and footwear products are subject to Mandatory Certification (pursuant to Resolution No. 450 of September 2, 2010).
Tanzania6309 - 35% or USD 0.40/kg, 6310 - 10% whichever is higherN/AYESWorn clothing is subject to a minimum customs value of 1.10 USD/kg. Worn belts and bags are subject to a minimum customs value of 2.20 USD/kg. Worn shoes are subject to a minimum customs value of 2.26 USD/kg. Worn shoes sorted within the EAC are subject to a minimum customs value of 2.71 USD/kg.
Thailand6309 - 30%, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Togo6309, 6310 - 20%N/AN/AN/A
Tonga6309, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Trinidad and Tobago6309 - 20%, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
Tunisia6309 - 20%, 6310 – 0%-20%N/AN/AN/A
Turkey6309 - 5.3%, 6310 - 0%N/AYESTurkey Exporter Registry
Turkmenistan-N/AN/AN/A
Uganda6309 - 35% or USD 0.40/kg whichever is higher, 6310 – 10%N/AYESA fumigation certificate is required by the Uganda Revenue Authority at entry. Compulsory standards: US EAS 356:2004, Code of practice for inspection and acceptance criteria for used textile products and US EAS 386:2005, Used footwear NA Inspection and acceptance criteria NA Code of practice. Worn clothing is subject to a minimum customs value of 1.08 USD/kg. Worn belts and bags are subject to a minimum customs value of 2.20 USD/kg. Worn shoes are subject to a minimum customs value of 1.30 USD/kg. Worn shoes sorted within the EAC are subject to a minimum customs value of 2.71 USD/kg.
Ukraine6309 - 5.3%, 6310 - 0%N/AN/AN/A
United Arab Emirates6309, 6310 - 5%N/AN/AN/A
United Kingdom6309 - 4% 6310 - 10%N/AN/AN/A
Uruguay6309 – 20%, 6310 - 0-20%N/AYESA certificate of disinfection is required that includes a notarized statement from a commercial firm that the articles have been disinfected or dry cleaned.
Uzbekistan-N/AN/AN/A
Vanuatu6309, 6310 - 15%N/AN/AN/A
Venezuela6309, 6310 - 20%YESN/AN/A
Vietnam6309 - 100%, 6310 - 50%YESN/AN/A
Yemen6309, 6310 - 25%N/AN/AN/A
Zambia6309, 6310 - 25% or K2.500/kg, whichever is greaterN/AN/AN/A
Zimbabwe6309 - USD 5/Kg,
6310- 5%-15%		YESN/AZimbabwe maintains a negative list of prohibited items that require special permission from the government to import. See Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZMRA), or go directly to Restricted and Prohibited Goods.