A total of 5,000 traders across the country will get opportunity to import used clothes (second-hand clothes) in the current fiscal year, officials said. Importers will be selected on the basis of the population density in each district and through lottery by deputy commissioners (DCs) concerned, they added. Each trader can import used clothes worth maximum Tk 50,000. They have to submit proper documents ensuring that consignments of clothes to be imported from different countries are free from all toxic and hazardous substances, a source concerned said. The government on February 20, 2019 issued a public notification in this regard. For importing used clothes, the traders will have to apply to the DCs by March 20. They have to open Letters of Credit (LCs) by 30 June and complete shipments of clothes by October 15. An importer said the government’s agency concerned should have taken the decision on import of second-hand clothes before November. The second-hand clothes are mainly used during the winter season. “So, it is too late,” he said. A total of 401 importers will be selected from the Dhaka region including the capital. Some 738 importers will be selected from other districts of this region. Besides, the rest of the importers will be selected from other divisions- Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, Sylhet, Barishal, Mymensingh, and Rangpur and other districts, according to the office of Chief Controller of Imports and Exports. The importers also said import of used clothes has been rising gradually throughout the years due to their increasing demand. In the winter season, they said, used warm clothes have great demand, mainly to the country’s fixed-income group people, for their affordable prices. The importers can bring in products like cardigan, sweater, zipper jacket, trouser, blanket and synthetic and blended clothes etc.
