Every year, Pakistan imports over 1.1 million tonnes of second-hand clothing and footwear, with used shoes alone covering 30–40% of the domestic footwear market. These thrifted shoes, sourced mainly from Europe, the USA, Japan, Korea, and China, find their way into iconic local markets like Lahore’s Landa Bazaar, Karachi’s Jamia Cloth Market, Peshawar’s Shuba Bazaar, and Bahawalpur’s Railway Road thrift stalls.
How Thrift Shoes Enter Pakistan
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Global Sources: Shoes are imported from Europe, USA, Japan, Korea, China, and Canada.
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Import Mechanism: They arrive under the “used clothing” category, often at low declared values, which makes them affordable but also creates unfair competition for local manufacturers.
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Annual Volume: Pakistan imported 1.137 million tonnes of second-hand clothing and footwear in FY2025, valued at $511 million. Shoes alone account for 30–40% of the footwear market share.
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Duties & Taxes: Importers face Rs. 66/kg duty on shoes, plus regulatory and sales taxes, making the trade semi-formal and heavily taxed.
Famous Thrift Shoe Markets in Pakistan
Here are the most popular hubs where thrifted shoes are sold:
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Domestic Consumption: Pakistan consumes about 550 million pairs of shoes annually.
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Local Production Capacity: 700 million pairs, but imports reduce demand for local products.
|
City |
Famous Market(s) |
Highlights |
|
Lahore |
Landa Bazaar (near Railway Station) |
Oldest and largest thrift hub; shoes, jackets, sportswear |
|
Karachi |
Jamia Cloth Market, Lighthouse Market |
Huge variety of branded second-hand shoes |
|
Peshawar |
Shuba Bazaar |
Known for imported sneakers, boots, and leather shoes |
|
Bahawalpur |
Railway Road Thrift Stalls |
Smaller but growing market for affordable footwear |
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Used Footwear Share: 30–40% of the market is covered by thrifted shoes.
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Shipment Data: Between April 2024–March 2025, Pakistan received nearly 2,000 verified shipments of used shoes, showing a 125% growth compared to the previous year.
Challenges & Trade-Offs
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Economic Pressure: While thrift shoes provide affordable options (Rs. 600–800 vs. Rs. 4,000+ for new branded shoes), they undermine local manufacturers.
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Tax Burden: Heavy duties and advance taxes make compliance difficult for small traders.
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Informal Trade: Many sellers operate without registration, limiting government oversight.
Conclusion
Thrift shoes have become a lifeline for millions of Pakistanis, offering affordability amid rising poverty. Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Bahawalpur remain the epicenters of this trade, where imported sneakers, boots, and sandals are resold at accessible prices. Yet, the sheer scale of imports — hundreds of thousands of tonnes annually — poses a challenge to Pakistan’s domestic footwear industry, making thrift shoes both a necessity and a policy dilemma.