There is no single sourcing market that will be the best choice for every sorting facility or wholesaler. European supply may be worth considering when short transport times and frequent stock replenishment are the priority. The USA may suit companies looking for North American assortments and prepared to buy larger lots and commit capital for longer. Canada offers an alternative or a complementary source within this model — provided the specific supplier, delivery costs and sorting results are checked.
A reliable comparison of used clothing import sources should go beyond the purchase price per kilogram. Polish importers also need to consider the composition of the shipment, transport time, customs conditions, sorting workload and the ability to sell individual categories. The country of collection alone is not a basis for guaranteeing better quality or a higher saleable yield.
Key conclusions for importers and sorting-facility owners
- Compare suppliers and shipments, not just countries. The sources used in this comparison contain no independent data showing that Canadian, US or European used clothing consistently delivers a higher share of saleable goods.
- Separate preparation time from transit time. In the Canadian offer discussed here, preparation takes around 1–3 weeks and sea freight around 25 days. This is not a promise that the goods will reach the sorting facility within 25 days of the order. Target Solutions Poland offer
- Do not assign a customs-duty rate solely on the basis of the country of dispatch. The standard rate of 5.3% does not mean that every shipment from the USA will be charged at this rate. Current tariff reductions and the origin of the goods must also be considered. Likewise, 0% under CETA requires the relevant conditions to be met; shipment from Canada alone is not sufficient. [1]
- Treat the first container as a business test. It allows you to check the product mix, yield, sorting workload and customer response. It does not guarantee profitability or identical results from subsequent shipments.
Comparison of used clothing import sources: Canada, the USA and Europe
The comparison below summarises the supply models covered in the source material. Assortment profiles are characteristics of offers and industry descriptions, not guaranteed specifications for a container. The stated transit times do not replace the schedule for a specific order.
| Criterion | USA | Canada | Europe — primarily EU supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport model | Mainly full-container sea freight | Mainly full-container sea freight | Mainly road transport; depending on origin, also combined sea and road transport |
| Indicative transit time | Referenced range of 25–30 days by sea; the range must be confirmed for the specific route | In the offer discussed here, around 25 days by sea after the goods have been prepared | Industry sources indicate 2–5 working days between EU countries |
| Assortment profile in industry descriptions | Sportswear, jeans, sweatshirts, global brands and larger sizes | North American assortment profile; brands, styles and mixes may differ from those supplied from the USA | A varied mix of European brands and styles, including seasonal and high-street clothing |
| Stock planning | Requires allowance for sea freight and handling a larger shipment | Similar to the US model | Potential for more frequent replenishment, depending on the supplier's offer |
| Main purchasing risk | Categories, sizes or quality may not match the needs of the target market | Unverified assumption that a new sourcing market will deliver a better result | Unverified assumption that proximity automatically means suitable quality and rapid sales |
| Most important test | Actual sorting and sales performance | Actual sorting and sales performance | Actual sorting and sales performance |
Europe is not a single customs area. Purchases from EU member states need to be distinguished from imports from the United Kingdom. The EU–UK agreement provides for zero tariffs on goods that meet the relevant rules of origin, not automatically on every shipment dispatched from a UK warehouse. [2]
Used clothing from the USA — assortment and limitations
Industry descriptions of US supply commonly mention sportswear, sweatshirts, jeans, footwear and global brands such as Nike, Levi’s, Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein. Larger sizes and garments made from heavier cotton and denim are also referenced. These are characteristics of offers, not guaranteed specifications for every container.
For the buyer, the key question is whether customers actually need this assortment. Larger sizes may be a sought-after category or slower-moving stock. Likewise, a recognisable brand does not determine commercial value if the condition, style or season does not match customer demand. The purchasing conclusion is to assess the structure of the entire shipment rather than focusing only on attractive product examples.
When is US sourcing worth considering?
The USA may be a suitable source for a company with customers interested in North American styles, sufficient capacity to sort and store larger shipments, and enough capital to manage a longer purchasing cycle. The limitations remain sea-freight lead times, delivery-handling costs and the risk that the mix will not match the sales market. Customs calculations should take account of the current rules applying to goods originating in the USA rather than assuming an unconditional rate of 5.3%.
Used clothing from Europe — shorter transport, but selection still matters
The comparison of European sourcing markets primarily covers the United Kingdom, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. The source material describes European mixes as including, among other items, high-street clothing, dresses, blouses, jumpers, shirts and more fitted styles. It does not, however, provide data that would establish a fixed share of these categories in shipments.
The most practical argument for this sourcing model is the possibility of shorter road transport. Industry comparisons indicate 2–5 working days between EU countries. This is an indicative transit time, not the entire process from placing an order to having the goods ready for sale.
When may European supplies be more suitable?
This model is worth considering where stock needs to be replenished frequently, seasonal demand calls for a quick response, and the company wants to limit the amount of capital tied up in a single shipment. The source material also points to the possibility of buying smaller lots, depending on the supplier.
A short route does not determine profitability. There is no basis for attributing a higher or lower rejection rate to Europe as a whole than to North America. Goods with a similar level of preparation should be compared: unsorted goods with unsorted goods, and pre-selected lots with appropriately defined pre-selected lots. Otherwise, differences in performance may reflect the type of goods purchased rather than the sourcing market.
Used clothing from Canada — an alternative to US supply
Canada may complement the sourcing strategy of companies that want to retain a North American assortment profile while adding another supply source. The potential benefit is the possibility of obtaining a different mix of brands, styles and categories. This should not be treated as evidence of a quality advantage over the USA or Europe.
What does “Canadian sourced credential” mean?
In the offer discussed here, the term Canadian sourced credential refers to unsorted used clothing collected on the Canadian market, intended for further sorting and for building the buyer's own commercial assortment. It is an offer for buyers with suitable sorting facilities, not a statement that the entire load is suitable for direct retail sale. Unsorted used clothing from Canada — Target Solutions Poland
Does Canada mean more winter clothing?
Deliveries of used clothing from Canada include jackets, coats, sweaters and fleece garments. However, it cannot be generalized that every average container from Canada has a higher share of winter clothing than a container from the USA.
Transport and shipment size — how should costs be compared?
Preparation time versus transit time
The Canadian offer discussed here states around 1–3 weeks for preparation of the goods and around 25 days for sea freight. These are offer parameters that should be confirmed when the order is placed. Target Solutions Poland
For the USA, the comparison refers to an indicative 25–30 days by sea, depending on the port and route. This range has not been confirmed against a specific sailing schedule and should not be treated as the standard for all transatlantic shipments.
In the purchasing plan, separate the date when the goods are ready, the transit period and the date when the shipment is received by the sorting facility. For seasonal operations, it also matters when sorting will be completed and sales can begin. Arrival at the port does not yet mean that the goods are available to customers.
20’ or 40’ HC container?
The source material cites the following parameters:
| Shipment format | Weight of goods stated in the source | How should this figure be interpreted? |
|---|---|---|
| 20’ container | Approximately 10,000–13,500 kg | Industry range for the described packing and compression methods |
| 40’ HC container | Approximately 25,000–28,500 kg | Industry range, not a guaranteed weight for every shipment |
| Test 20’ container from Canada | Approximately 10,300 kg | Parameter of the specific offer referenced in this report |
| Full-truckload road transport | Up to approximately 24 tonnes | Figure cited in the industry comparison of European transport |
The weight of the goods transported is not the saleable yield. A container holding a given number of kilograms of unsorted goods does not guarantee the same weight of clothing for resale.
A larger container may reduce transport cost per kilogram, but it requires a larger purchase volume. With a new supplier, lower unit freight cost therefore needs to be weighed against greater capital commitment and quality risk.
Compare delivered cost with sorting results
Two separate indicators are useful for buyers:
Delivered cost per kilogram = total purchase and import cost of the shipment / weight of goods received.
Saleable yield = weight of clothing classified for sale / weight of shipment received × 100%.
These are tools for comparing your own shipments, not industry profitability benchmarks. Use consistent rules for weighing goods and classifying clothing for sale so that results from different shipments are comparable.
Yield shows how much of the shipment has been classified for sale, not how much has already been sold. To assess the final result, sorting labour, storage, the rejection share, actual selling prices and sales velocity must also be taken into account. The sources used do not provide reliable averages that would allow a specific cost, yield or financial result to be assigned in advance to Canada, the USA or Europe.
Customs duties and formalities — what should you check before buying?
Customs information verified as at 3 October 2026. The rules below are intended to support offer comparisons. Charges for a specific shipment must be determined according to the correct code, the origin of the goods, the documentation and the rules in force on the date of the customs declaration.
CN 6309 00 00 and the standard rate of 5.3%
CN 6309 00 00, also written as 63090000, is a Combined Nomenclature code covering worn clothing and other worn articles. The classification must reflect the actual characteristics of the goods. The code should not be assigned automatically to every shipment simply because the seller describes it as used clothing.
The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, KVK, gives TARIC code 6309 00 00 00 and a standard duty rate of 5.3% for worn textile clothing that is not rags. Customs duty is calculated on the customs value, not on the weight of the goods. [1]
The standard rate does not, however, determine the duty payable on a specific shipment. The [3] should also be checked for available reductions, preferences and other measures applicable to the goods and their origin.
USA — rule changes from 1 July 2026
The 5.3% rate should not be presented as an unconditional duty on every shipment of used clothing from the USA. The European Commission states that from 1 July 2026, EU commitments abolishing tariffs on US industrial goods were implemented. [4]
The reductions provided for in Regulation (EU) 2026/1455 are linked to the origin of the goods determined under the EU's non-preferential rules of origin. These are not the same rules as the preferential CETA rules. A US seller's address or shipment from a US port is not sufficient on its own to qualify automatically for the tariff benefit. [5]
For a specific shipment of clothing, the correct code, the application of current tariff measures, evidence of origin and any required transport conditions should therefore be confirmed. Neither an automatic 5.3% duty nor an automatic exemption should be assumed solely because the goods were purchased in the USA. [6]
Canada and CETA — 0% does not follow solely from the place of shipment
The European Commission states that CETA eliminates duties on 99% of tariff lines. For an importer of used clothing, however, the decisive issue is not the overall scale of liberalisation but whether the preference can be applied to the shipment being purchased. [7]
A preferential 0% rate requires compliance with the applicable rules of origin and documentation requirements. The European Commission identifies the origin declaration as the document needed to claim CETA preferences. A Canadian supplier address, the place of collection or loading at a Canadian port should not replace checking whether the specific shipment meets the agreement's conditions. [8]
Supplies from the EU versus imports from the United Kingdom
There is no import duty on trade between EU member states for goods that are in free circulation. This does not mean that the status of goods is determined solely by the fact that they are stored in a warehouse located in the EU. [9]
Supplies from the United Kingdom need to be analysed differently. The zero rate under the EU–UK agreement requires compliance with the relevant rules of origin and does not make such a transaction equivalent to an intra-EU purchase. The label “goods from Europe” is therefore too broad for customs calculations. [2]
Sanitary documentation — establish the requirements for the specific shipment
Industry descriptions mention disinfection, disinfestation or fumigation certificates, as well as certificates of conformity used in some destination markets. These terms should not be treated as interchangeable, and the requirements of one market should not be applied automatically to every shipment to Poland.
The sources used do not confirm an identical, universal requirement for a fumigation certificate for every shipment of used clothing to Poland. Nor do they provide a basis for treating a quality or conformity certificate as mandatory in every such transaction.
Before buying, establish with the supplier, customs agent and competent authority which requirements apply to the shipment and what each document is intended to confirm. Likewise, references to export declaration systems such as AES should not be treated as a complete set of customs-clearance instructions for a Polish importer. A general industry description is no substitute for determining the obligations that apply to a specific transaction.
When is it worth testing a supplier from Canada?
A test is most justified when it is intended to answer a specific purchasing question: will the new supplier complement the assortment, reduce dependence on an existing partner or offer goods that match customer demand? This approach follows the diversification strategy described in the material, rather than assuming an automatic advantage for Canada.
The offer referenced in the report proposes a test 20’ container weighing around 10,300 kg. This is a smaller format than the 40’ HC container considered in the comparison, but still a substantial shipment that requires financing, unloading and sorting.
How should the first shipment be assessed?
Before purchasing, define the categories you need and the criteria you will use to assess the result. Then apply the same measurement method used for shipments from existing suppliers.
| Assessment area | What should be recorded after receipt and sorting? | What decision does the result support? |
|---|---|---|
| Shipment weight and composition | Weight received and breakdown by category and quality grade | Does the shipment match the company's sales profile? |
| Saleable yield | Weight of clothing classified for sale and rejected share | Does the purchase price remain attractive after sorting? |
| Labour input | Time required to sort and prepare the shipment | Can the sorting facility handle subsequent shipments efficiently? |
| Selling prices | Actual prices achieved for individual categories | Does the apparent attractiveness of the goods translate into revenue? |
| Stock turnover | Sales pace and quantity of goods remaining in storage | Does the cooperation model fit the company's liquidity requirements? |
This is a practical extension of the criteria identified in the report: yield, product mix, selling prices and stock turnover. It does not assume any minimum result in advance because the material contains no reliable benchmark for the individual sourcing markets.
The first container should help determine whether to continue working with the supplier, change the purchasing terms or withdraw from that source. A good result from one shipment does not yet demonstrate consistency across the entire supply channel.
Sources
- KVK — importing clothing
- European Commission — EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
- EU TARIC database
- European Commission — EU–US trade deal
- Dutch Customs — conditions for tariff reductions on US goods
- European Commission — non-preferential rules of origin
- European Commission
- European Commission — information for Canadian exporters
- European Commission — Common Customs Tariff
Explore the offer of unsorted used clothing from Canada
Are you considering an additional supply source for your sorting facility or wholesale business? Review Target Solutions' offer of unsorted used clothing from Canada and ask about product availability, delivery terms and the possibility of ordering a test container.
In your enquiry, describe the assortment you are looking for, your sorting capabilities and your planned purchasing date. This will make it easier to assess the offer against your company's actual needs. You can also contact Target Solutions.
Target Solutions supports contact, negotiations and organisation of the sales process as an intermediary or agent; it is not the seller of the clothing or a party to the sales contract between the exporter and the buyer.
Frequently asked questions
1. Which used clothing import source is best for a Polish sorting facility?
There is no single best source for every company. European supplies may be worth considering when short transit times and frequent replenishment are important. The USA and Canada may suit companies looking for North American assortments and prepared to handle container shipments. The choice should be based on costs, sorting results and the ability to sell the goods, not simply on the place of collection.
2. How long does used clothing transport take from Canada, the USA and Europe?
In the Canadian offer discussed here, preparation of the goods takes around 1–3 weeks and sea freight around 25 days. The referenced range of 25–30 days by sea for the USA must be confirmed for the specific service. For European road transport, industry sources indicate 2–5 working days between EU countries. These are not guaranteed lead times for the entire order.
3. What customs duty applies when importing used clothing from the USA and Canada or buying within the EU?
For correctly classified worn textile clothing, KVK gives a standard rate of 5.3%, but this is not automatically the rate for every shipment from the USA. From 1 July 2026, EU tariff reductions apply to qualifying goods originating in the USA, subject to the relevant conditions being met. Goods qualifying under CETA may be eligible for 0% duty once the rules of origin and documentation requirements are satisfied. There is no import duty on intra-EU trade in goods that are in free circulation. The rate for a specific shipment should be confirmed before customs clearance. [1]
4. What does Canadian sourced credential mean?
In the offer discussed here, it means unsorted used clothing collected on the Canadian market and intended for further sorting and resale. The term does not guarantee a particular share of brands, quality grades or clothing suitable for direct retail sale. Nor does it replace the documents required to establish customs origin.
5. Does used clothing from Canada offer better quality or a higher yield than clothing from the USA and Europe?
The sources used contain no independent data confirming such an advantage. The value of a shipment depends, among other things, on the collection source, condition of the clothing, preparation method and fit with customer demand. The country of collection does not replace an assessment of the specific shipment or measurement of its results.
6. How should the first shipment of unsorted used clothing from Canada be tested?
The 20’ container proposed in the offer, weighing around 10,300 kg, can be considered as a test shipment. After receipt, measure the product mix, saleable yield, rejected share, sorting time, achieved prices and sales pace. The results should be compared with existing supplies using the same criteria. A test does not guarantee profitability or consistency across subsequent shipments.
Publication limitations
This text provides guidance intended to support used-clothing importers. The publication does not replace an individual customs, tax, environmental, legal or insurance analysis. The publication is available free of charge – any legal liability of the author is excluded.