African import rules for used clothing: what changed in 2026
A short, dated summary of the changes we saw reported in 2026. Every item is a position to confirm with your clearing agent before you order; we confirm them for every quote.
East African Community duty
The EAC gazette of mid-2026 set duties on worn clothing for one year. Kenya was reported at 35% or US$0.20 per kg, whichever is higher; Rwanda at a high specific rate (reported at US$2.50 per kg); Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania at 35%. Duty is charged per kilo or on value, so better-graded bales with fewer unusable pieces give a lower cost per sellable piece.
Kenya: inspection and prohibited items
A Kenya Bureau of Standards notice reported in October 2026 says every consignment is inspected, lists used underwear, socks, swimwear, nightwear and bath towels as prohibited, and limits entry to Mombasa (Kilindini) and the Nairobi inland container depot. We do not pack those items for Kenya. See Nairobi.
Uganda: still under review
A ban announced in 2023 has been debated since. Reports in 2026 also describe a levy rising to 30% of the CIF value from July 2026. We check the position before every quote. See Kampala.
Zimbabwe: imports prohibited
Statutory Instrument 59 of 2026, reported in March 2026, prohibits used clothing imports except under a charitable-purpose permit and bans used underwear outright. We do not quote Zimbabwe.
Senegal: imports remain legal
After a ban was announced in December 2024, the ministry said on 16 December 2024 that imports remain legal. We confirm taxes per order. See Dakar.
Market moves: Cotonou and Abidjan
Kinshasa: dry-season prices
In July 2026 the Congolese state news agency ACP reported that a 50 kg bale of European knitwear rose from US$200 to US$250 in Kinshasa markets, on seasonal demand, scarcity and the cost of transport from Matadi. Plan dry-season orders early. See Kinshasa.
Where to check
The full table, with the action we take for each country, is on African markets. These are positions to check, not legal advice.