Atacama News & Analysis

Chile imports 123,000 tonnes of used clothing annually

Chile imports approximately 123,000 tonnes of used clothing each year, with 39,000 tonnes reportedly dumped in the Atacama Desert. The Iquique Free Trade Zone (Zofri), established in 1975, allows for tax-free imports, which has made used clothing a significant part of the local economy. Many local women are employed in sorting and selling these garments, with prices at markets starting around 500 Chilean pesos (54 cents). However, the failure to resell stock leads to illegal dumping or burning of unsold clothes, posing environmental concerns.