Used Clothes Italy: The Complete Wholesale & Import Guide

Italian fashion moves fast. With high turnover in luxury wardrobes and a culture that values material quality, Italy has become the gold standard for the second-hand clothing market. But as of late 2025, inflation has shifted the narrative. Buying used isn’t just a style choice anymore; it is a financial necessity for many and a massive business opportunity for importers.

Whether you are a consumer looking for vintage Gucci on a budget or a business owner trying to secure containers of used textiles, the rules have changed. New EU waste directives and updated customs duties mean the old ways of importing no longer work.

This guide strips away the noise. We look at the actual logistics of buying, selling, and importing used clothes in Italy right now.

The Reality of the Market: Why Italy?

It comes down to source material. Unlike markets dominated by fast fashion polyester, the Italian second-hand stream is rich in wool, leather, and high grade cotton. This is why the “Made in Italy” label retains value even on a third or fourth owner.

However, the ecosystem is split into two distinct worlds:

• The Consumer Market (B2C/C2C): Dominated by apps and online stores where individuals trade single items.
• The Industrial Market (B2B): Large scale aggregators (mostly in the Campania region) who export tons of textiles to Africa, Eastern Europe, and Asia.

For Shoppers: Where to Buy Online in 2025

If you are looking to buy singular pieces of Italian fashion, forget the generic advice. Here is what is actually working in Italy today.

1. Vinted (The Market Leader)

As of December 2025, Vinted is the undisputed king of second-hand fashion in Italy. Its zero commission model for sellers has flooded the platform with Italian closet clear outs. If you want direct access to Italian wardrobes, this is your primary tool.

2. Momox Fashion (The Professional Choice)

There is a common misconception here. While Momox is a massive entityreporting €377 million in revenue in 2024—its Italian operations are specific. As of late 2025, Momox Italy (momox.it) does not yet buy clothing from individuals in Italy; they currently only buy media (books, games). However, you can buy high-quality, quality checked used clothing from their fashion arm, momoxfashion.com, which ships to Italy. It is safer than Vinted because they handle the quality control.

For those interested in how European giants operate, services like Zalando Pre owned are also heavily active in this space, competing directly for market share.

For Importers: Top Italian Wholesale Suppliers

If you plan to import used clothes from Italy for business, you need to go to the source. The industry is historically centered around Naples and Caserta. Here are the verified active players for 2026:

• FRATELLI MONDOLA S. R. L.
  Currently operating out of Marcianise (Caserta), not just their historical Casoria base. They are a heavyweight in grading and sorting.
  Key Contact: +39 0823 608826 / [email protected]
• NEW COM.IND.USA. SNC
  Note the legal status change: they are active as an SNC (General Partnership) in 2025. They are major exporters to markets like India and Pakistan, specializing in rags and raw textile recycling.
• IANNONE INDUMENTI USATI SRL
  Based in Fisciano (Salerno), this company remains highly active with a reported revenue of over €1.1 million. They are reliable for industrial scale orders.
• EMMEPI S. A. S.
  Located in Ercolano, the historical heart of the “pezzeria” (rag trade). They are compliant with the new 2025 Ateco classifications for wholesale used clothing.

Comparing these hubs to other regions? The density of suppliers here is higher than what you might find in wholesale markets in Atlanta or other Western hubs, but the logistics can be trickier.

The Logistics: How to Import Without Getting Fined

This is where most new businesses fail. Importing used clothes from Italy is not as simple as buying a container and shipping it. The Italian customs police (Guardia di Finanza) are notoriously strict regarding waste regulations.

1. The Sanitization Certificate is Mandatory

You cannot legally export used clothing from Italy unless it has been “sanitized.” Under Italian law, unsanitized clothing is classified as waste, not a commercial product. To export it, the goods must be accompanied by a Certificato di avvenuta sanificazione. Without this document, your container will be blocked at the port, and you may face criminal charges for illegal waste trafficking.

2. Customs Duties & VAT (The 2025 Rates)

If you are importing into Italy from outside the EU, or exporting to non preferential countries, you must calculate your margins carefully:

• TARIC Code: 6309 00 00 (Used clothing).
• Customs Duty: 5.3% (Standard Erga Omnes rate).
• VAT (IVA): 22% applied to the total value (Cost of goods + Shipping + Duty).

Always verify if your country has a trade agreement with the EU (like the UK or Turkey) to reduce that duty to 0%.

Practitioner Tips for Success

Don’t trust photos alone. In the used clothing industry, “Cream Quality” is a subjective term. If you are buying wholesale, you should physically visit the sorting plant in Caserta or Naples at least once to agree on grading standards. If travel isn’t an option, hire a local inspection agent.

Look beyond the luxury brands. While everyone wants Gucci and Prada, the real margin is often in high-quality Italian merino wool and leather basics which sell consistently in colder climates. This approach is similar to what savvy buyers look for in Ukrainian fashion markets—quality over logo.

Watch the EU Waste Directives. As of January 1, 2025, textile collection is mandatory across the EU. This means the supply of raw used clothing in Italy is increasing, which should stabilize wholesale prices despite inflation.

Whether you are hunting for treasures in the flea markets of the Netherlands or negotiating bales in Naples, the European second-hand market remains one of the most profitable sectors in retailif you know the rules.