Zimbabwe Formalizes Second-Hand Clothes Ban

Zimbabwe formalized a ban on second-hand clothing imports through Statutory Instrument 59 of 2026. This new legal framework prohibits used clothes importation unless authorized by a government-issued permit. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce moved to enforce this ban despite concerns about the country’s struggling local clothing value chain. This measure aims to protect and stimulate the domestic textile industry, which has faced significant competition from imported used garments. Under these regulations, obtaining a government-issued permit becomes mandatory for any authorized importations, ensuring stricter control over the market and supporting local manufacturers.