10 UK Export Markets for Second Hand Clothing

If you are a UK wholesaler and exporter of second-hand clothing and are looking to expand your market reach, you might be asking yourself what's next. Where are your potential international clients? Where should you start? These are questions you can’t answer without identifying the strongest export markets for used clothing and understanding the buying trends shaping global demand.

Using 2024 trade data, this report breaks down the 10 main UK export markets for second-hand clothing, including HS codes, bale types, buyer personas, estimated bale pricing, market charts, and import compliance checklists.

2024 UK Used Clothing Export Overview

According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC):

• United Kingdom exported $520M of Used Clothing in 2024
• UK ranks 3rd largest exporter globally (out of 209 countries)
• Used clothing is the 143rd most exported product from the UK (out of 1,222)

Top UK Export Destinations

Pakistan — $89.6M

United Arab Emirates — $87.8M

Ghana — $73.6M

Ukraine — $63.9M

Poland — $54.5M

Fastest Growing Markets (2023 → 2024)

• Pakistan — +$72.8M
• United Arab Emirates — +$38.4M
• Poland — +$21.6M

These figures reshape the global map of UK second‑hand clothing exports, and they directly influence where UK wholesalers should focus next.

HS Codes for Second‑Hand Clothing

Estimated Bale Pricing (2024 UK Export Market)

Market Charts (Based on 2024 OEC Data)

Chart: UK Used Clothing Export Value by Country (2024)

1.      Pakistan: ████████████████████████ $89.6M

2.      UAE: ██████████████████████ $87.8M

3.      Ghana: ████████████████ $73.6M

4.      Ukraine: ████████████ $63.9M

5.      Poland: ██████████ $54.5M

6.      Nigeria: ████ Estimated $20–25M

7.      Kenya: ███ Estimated $18–22M

8.      Malaysia: ██ Estimated $15–18M

9.      Chile: ██ Estimated $12–15M

10. India: ██ Estimated $10–14M

Fastest Growing UK Export Markets (2023 → 2024)

• Pakistan: +$72.8M
• UAE: +$38.4M
• Poland: +$21.6M
• Ghana: +$12–15M (est.)
• Ukraine: +$10–12M (est.)

Market Demand by Bale Type

Country‑by‑Country Market Profiles

1. Pakistan — $89.6M (Top Market)

Market Role: Global recycling hub

Growth: +$72.8M YoY (fastest growing market)

Preferred HS Code: 6310

Preferred Bale Types: Credential, rags, cotton waste

Compliance Checklist:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Certificate of Recycling Purpose
• No used underwear
• No soiled garments
• Customs fibre‑content inspection

2. United Arab Emirates — $87.8M

Market Role: Re‑export powerhouse

Growth: +$38.4M YoY

Preferred HS Code: 6309 / 6310

Preferred Bale Types: Credential, mixed bales

Compliance Checklist:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Minimal restrictions
• Ideal for re-export

3. Ghana — $73.6M

Market Role: Africa’s largest resale ecosystem

Preferred HS Code: 6309

Preferred Bale Types: Tropical mix, denim, children’s wear

Compliance Checklist:

• GSA Import Registration
• Fumigation Certificate
• No underweight bales
• Quality inspection at the port

4. Ukraine — $63.9M

Market Role: High demand due to economic pressure

Preferred HS Code: 6309

Preferred Bale Types: Winter wear, footwear, Grade B

Compliance Checklist:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Optional humanitarian exemption
• Customs quality inspection

5. Poland — $54.5M

Market Role: EU sorting & vintage hub

Growth: +$21.6M YoY

Preferred HS Code: 6309

Preferred Bale Types: Grade A, winter wear, vintage

Compliance Checklist :

• EU Waste Shipment Documentation
• Proof items are reusable
• No contaminated textiles

6. Nigeria — Estimated $20–25M

Market Role: Massive consumer market

Preferred HS Code: 6309

Preferred Bale Types: Ladies’ tops, shirts, children’s wear

Compliance Checklist:

• Fumigation Certificate
• High import duties
• No used underwear

7. Kenya — Estimated $18–22M

Market Role: Mitumba retail powerhouse

Preferred HS Code: 6309

Preferred Bale Types: Grade A, shoes, jackets

Compliance Checklist:

• KEBS Certificate of Conformity
• No damaged clothing
• Strict bale weight accuracy

8. Malaysia — Estimated $15–18M

Market Role: Sorting & re-export hub

Preferred HS Code: 6309 / 6310

Preferred Bale Types: Sorting bales, credentials

Compliance Checklist:

• Import License
• Sorting/recycling only
• No retail resale

9. Chile — Estimated $12–15M

Market Role: Vintage & branded resale market

Preferred HS Code: 6309

Preferred Bale Types: Vintage, branded, winter wear

Compliance Checklist:

• Reuse Declaration
• No contaminated clothing
• Environmental scrutiny is increasing

10. India — Estimated $10–14M

Market Role: Global textile recycling giant

Preferred HS Code: 6310

Preferred Bale Types: Rags, cuttings, vintage niche

Compliance Checklist :

• SEZ Import License
• Fumigation Certificate
• Retail resale prohibited

Data Sources

• OEC (Observatory of Economic Complexity) — 2024 UK Used Clothing Export Data: https://oec.world/en/profile/bilateral-product/used-clothing/reporter/gbr
• UN Comtrade
• ITC Trade Map
• HMRC Trade Statistics
• Eurostat
• National customs authorities (Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan, India, Chile, Malaysia)