India's Ministry of Commerce trade statistics database shows that in fiscal year 2025-26 (FY26), India imported used clothing and other worn textiles worth approximately $85.93 million, a slight increase from $81.93 million in the previous fiscal year.

The United States was the largest supplier, with exports amounting to $58.3 million, accounting for nearly 70% of India's total imports of such goods; Canada ranked second at $16.05 million. Together, the two countries contributed about 88% of India's used clothing imports. China ($2.21 million), Italy ($1.78 million), and the UAE ($1.49 million) followed.

Although India is a major global textile producer, it imports large quantities of used clothing. This is mainly due to its massive textile recycling industry. An assessment report released by the Ministry of Textiles in April 2026 noted that Panipat in Haryana is an important recycling cluster, where local enterprises sort imported used clothing: the wearable portion enters the second-hand market, while unusable fabrics are shredded and spun into "shoddy" yarn for making carpets, blankets, cushions, and other products, most of which are sold overseas. Used clothing imports provide key raw materials for this circular economy chain, rather than merely meeting domestic second-hand consumption demand.

Source: Used clothes, saffron, pet food: What fine print of India's import bill tells about its economy · Originally published on 2026-08-23