Economy Ministry introduces new permit to import second-hand clothes

According to the Economy Ministry as of Aug. 24 until the end of the year, second-hand clothes importers must obtain a permit to import them into Poland. The Ministry justified the decision saying that the goods, often imported in bulk and of unknown origin, may be harmful to man and the environment. Each company applying for a permit must supply a certificate confirming that the foreign exporter disinfected the clothes. Only, charitable organizations are not required to get such permission. Around 200 million items of second-hand clothes were imported to Poland last year. (Rzeczpospolita, B2)