Zimbabwe Bans Second-Hand Clothing Imports Under New Law, Mabhero Trade Tightened

Mabhero second-hand clothes market, Zimbabwe vendors

The Zimbabwe government has formally banned the importation of second-hand clothing, commonly known as mabhero, under new regulations now carrying full legal force. The measures are contained in Statutory Instrument 59 of 2026, issued under the Control of Goods (Import and Export) (Commerce) (Amendment) Regulations, marking a shift from previous informal or verbal restrictions to enforceable law.

According to the gazetted regulations, the importation of second-hand clothing in Zimbabwe is now prohibited unless the importer obtains a special permit strictly for charitable purposes.

“The importation of second-hand clothing is prohibited, except where the importer has obtained a valid permit authorising the importation for charitable purposes only,” the regulations state.

Authorities added that such permits will be subject to strict conditions set by the Secretary of Industry and Commerce to ensure goods are distributed for genuine charitable use. In a stricter provision, the government has imposed a total ban on second-hand undergarments, with no exemptions allowed, even for charities citing health and safety concerns.

The Zimbabwe mabhero ban 2026 is part of a broader government strategy to revive the country’s struggling textile and clothing sector, which has long faced competition from low-cost imported garments. Industry expert John Robertson said the policy could offer relief to local manufacturers:

“Restricting second-hand imports may create space for domestic producers, but success will depend on whether local industry can meet demand in terms of price and quality.”

Zimbabwe’s textile sector, once a major employer, has declined significantly over the years due to factory closures and competition from imports.

While authorities argue the ban will curb the dumping of foreign textile waste and support industrialisation, critics warn it could have unintended consequences. The second-hand clothing trade in Zimbabwe provides livelihoods for thousands of informal traders and offers affordable clothing to low-income households. Retail analyst Victor Bhoroma said the impact could be significant:

“Banning mabhero without viable local alternatives risks pushing prices up and affecting vulnerable consumers who rely on cheaper clothing.”

Traders in major urban centres such as Harare and Bulawayo have historically depended on imported second-hand clothing bales as a primary source of income. Despite previous restrictions, second-hand clothing remains widely available across Zimbabwe, raising questions about enforcement capacity. Authorities are now expected to tighten border controls and compliance monitoring under the new legal framework, as the Zimbabwe import ban on used clothes takes effect.

The government faces the challenge of balancing industrial policy goals with economic realities on the ground. While the ban aims to stimulate local production and reduce reliance on imports, analysts say its success will depend on parallel efforts to revive domestic manufacturing, stabilise prices, and protect informal sector livelihoods.

Zimbabwe mabhero ban 2026