Goodbye to Nixon Market

Staff Reporter :
Once a thriving market for imported secondhand clothing, Bangladesh is set to discontinue the import of old clothes, marking a significant shift in the nation’s textile industry. Over the past decade, the demand for old garments has plummeted, and the number of importers has halved, leading to the decision to permanently cease the importation of used fabrics.

Currently, the country imports old clothes worth approximately one hundred crore taka annually. However, as Bangladesh attains developing country status in 2026, the import of secondhand textiles will be completely discontinued following the finalization of production, according to stakeholders.

The decrease in demand for old clothes in the domestic market is attributed to the rise of locally produced, high-quality winter clothing available at a lower cost. Strict government regulations further contribute to the decline in the import of old fabrics, as importers must secure approval from the Ministry of Commerce.

Importers from Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and America traditionally brought in items such as sweaters, cardigans, zippered jackets, and woolen jackets. The government, through district committees led by Deputy Commissioners, tightly regulates this business. Importers can only bring in clothes for 12 months if they possess a license.

Importers, grappling with the changing market dynamics, note that the demand for old winter clothing has reduced by half. Warehouses are stocked with unsold inventory, indicating the dwindling appeal of imported secondhand textiles.

In an effort to boost underdeveloped countries and enhance socio-economic conditions, the government plans to halt the import of old clothes by the middle of 2027. The initiative involves the collaboration of small-scale importers, signaling a collective effort to reshape the textile landscape in the country.

The new import policy order (2024-27), currently in the revision stage, will permanently ban the importation of old clothes despite the annual import value exceeding one hundred crore taka. A meeting of the parliamentary committee on commerce is scheduled to present the draft of this policy order, and its issuance is anticipated within the next two months.

Secretary of Commerce, Tapan Kanti Ghosh, affirmed that the new import policy order would be effective from July 1st, with provisions to cease the import of old clothes.

The importation of warm clothing, blankets, sweaters, ladies’ cardigans, zippered jackets, men’s jackets, men’s trousers, synthetic, and blended fabric shirts will be carried out by several thousand small-scale importers annually, overseen by the Import and Export Control Office under the Ministry of Commerce.