Buy and sell

Selling second-hand clothes from bales

Buy graded bales of second-hand clothes from wholesalers, sort, wash and price them, and sell from home, a stall, a WhatsApp group or Facebook.

Some evidenceLast checked 24 Oct 2026

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Is this for you?

Best for

People with some savings to risk, space to sort clothes and a good sense of what sells in their area.

In South Africa: Strong in townships and towns.

What you need

  • A phone is enough to start
  • Works on everyday data
  • No camera needed
  • No cold selling
  • At least 8 hours a week · age 18+

The money

What it can earn

  1. Pocket money
  2. A top-up
  3. A second income
  4. Can become a full income

Part time, most people earn a modest top-up from this. Treat bigger numbers you see online with care.

What people charge

R1 250 to R6 000 per 45 kg bale

Bale prices we found: from about R1,250 (grade A, Johannesburg listing) to R3,500 to R6,000 from other suppliers. Selling prices per item are not published, so we do not model monthly income.

Costs to plan for

Start-up
R1 500 to R6 000
Every month
A new bale each time you sell out, washing, hangers, bags, transport.
Payment fees
Cash, EFT, QR payments.
Margin
Depends on bale grade: some items will be unsellable. Price the good items to cover the whole bale.

How it is paid: Many items from one bale at low prices; the best items priced higher. Our viability score for it: 53 out of 100 (how we score).

How to start

  1. Test it cheaply Before you spend

    • Ask 15 people near you what clothes they would buy second-hand and at what price
    • Start with the smallest bale you can find
    • Success signal: you earn back the cost of the bale within a month

  2. First week Days 1 to 7

    • Compare three bale suppliers on grade, kilograms, price and delivery
    • Decide your selling day and place
    • Plan your price bands (for example R20, R50, R100) before the bale arrives
    • Set up a WhatsApp Business catalogue for your best pieces

  3. First month Days 8 to 30

    • Open, sort, wash and price your first bale
    • Post the best pieces on WhatsApp status the day before your selling day
    • Record what sold and what did not

  4. By three months Days 31 to 90

    • Buy only the grades and categories that sold
    • Sell the best items on Yaga or Marketplace at higher prices
    • Plan stock around seasons (winter jackets, school holidays)

Once a bale is sorted and washed, the first items can sell within days. First income usually takes 7 to 45 days. A day-by-day version for your situation is in the full plan.

Step-by-step guide

Selling second-hand clothes from bales: your step-by-step start

21 short lessons with scripts, templates and rand prices to copy. R149 once-off, and the first lesson is free.

See what is inside

Customers and demand

Who pays

Families and young people looking for good clothes at low prices.

Affordable clothing close to home.

Is there demand?

Wholesalers sell 45 kg bales; we found listings from about R1,250 for a grade A bale in Johannesburg to R3,500 to R6,000 from other suppliers. Bale quality varies a lot, and we found no reliable data on how many items in a bale are sellable.

Selling from home on weekendsA stall at a market or rankWhatsApp status and groupsFacebook MarketplaceYaga for better items

Getting customers

Show new stock on WhatsApp status the day you open a bale, and keep a regular selling day so people come back.

Word of mouth and referralsDirect messagesListing on online marketplaces (Takealot, Bob Shop, Etsy, Teacha!)In-person networking

Risks and rules

Watch out for

  • Poor bales with many damaged items: buy a small bale first and inspect a sample if you can
  • Cash tied up in stock that does not suit your area
  • Hygiene: wash everything before you sell

Competition: High in busy areas. Clean, sorted and well-displayed clothes sell first.

Room to grow: Grows with a regular selling day, a stall and repeat buyers.

Legal and tax in South Africa

  • Describe condition honestly.
  • Imported second-hand clothing is regulated, so buy from established SA wholesalers.
  • Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start selling second-hand clothes from bales in South Africa?

Our research puts start-up costs at about R1 500 to R6 000. Recurring costs: A new bale each time you sell out, washing, hangers, bags, transport.

How long until the first income?

Typically about 14 days, and between 7 and 45 days. Once a bale is sorted and washed, the first items can sell within days.

Can I do it with only a phone?

Yes, a smartphone is enough to start, although a laptop helps as you grow.

What about tax and legal rules?

Describe condition honestly. Imported second-hand clothing is regulated, so buy from established SA wholesalers. Register for income tax with SARS once you earn above the tax threshold, and keep a record of every sale and every cost (stock, materials, transport and fees are business costs).

Sources (4)

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Researched by the Earn Path team · editorial policy