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The biggest ukay-ukay rule is about where your stock comes from. RA 4653 makes it unlawful to bring used clothing and rags into the Philippines, with fines of ₱200 to ₱20,000 and 2 to 5 years in prison, and seized goods are burned. If you buy from unlicensed suppliers, the Anti-Fencing Law asks for a police clearance before you sell. Price tags apply in store and online.[1,2,3,4]
Ukay-ukay prep list
- Ask suppliers where their bales or stock come from
- Keep receipts for every batch you buy
- Visit the police station about the Anti-Fencing Law clearance
- Log each individual seller's name and items
- Tag every piece or post a price sign per rack
- State prices clearly during live selling
What RA 4653 says about used clothing
RA 4653 makes it unlawful to bring used clothing and rags into the Philippines, with narrow exceptions under the old Tariff Code. The penalty is a fine of ₱200 to ₱20,000 and imprisonment of 2 to 5 years, and illegally imported used clothing is burned. No permit makes such imports lawful.[3]
Before you put puhunan into bales, ask your supplier where they come from and keep every receipt. Preloved items from households and surplus from local makers give you stock with a paper trail.
Buying from individuals and small suppliers
PD 1612 Sec. 6, the Anti-Fencing Law, says stores dealing in goods from an unlicensed dealer or supplier, such as used or secondhand articles, must get a clearance or permit from the local police station commander before offering them for sale.[2]
If you buy preloved clothes from people who post on Facebook groups or bring bags to your stall, ask the police station about this clearance.
Price tags on racks and in live selling
Consumer Act Art. 81 requires price tags, labels or markings on goods sold at retail, with fines DTI cites of ₱200 to ₱5,000 and/or 1 to 6 months in prison.[1]
DTI says the price tag rules also apply to online stores, and a price list should be placed nearest the products displayed.[4]
Color-coded tags or a sign per rack, such as "₱50 rack" and "₱100 rack", keep pricing simple in a store. In live selling, say and show the price for each piece.
Questions people ask
- Is it illegal to import ukay-ukay bales?
- RA 4653 makes it unlawful to bring used clothing and rags into the Philippines, with narrow exceptions under the old Tariff Code.
- Do I need price tags for live selling?
- DTI says the Consumer Act's price tag provisions also apply to online stores, so show a price for each item you sell.
- Does my city have special rules for ukay-ukay?
- Ask your BPLO whether your city has rules for ukay-ukay shops when you apply for your mayor's permit, and see our clothing business kit for the general retail rules.
Sources
Checked 13 November 2026. We link the agency's own page for every requirement. Rules change; confirm with the office before you pay.
- DTI warns business owners, establishments that price tag is a must · Department of Trade and Industry · 6 May 2022
- Presidential Decree No. 1612 (Anti-Fencing Law of 1979) · Lawphil Project (Arellano Law Foundation) · 2 March 1979
- Republic Act No. 4653 · Lawphil Project (Arellano Law Foundation) · 17 June 1966
- Consumer Act implementation intensifies · Department of Trade and Industry · 23 January 2023
The extra permits, in one table
| Permit or registration | Agency | When it applies | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price tags on all consumer products sold at retail[1] | DTI | always | Not published |
| Anti-Fencing Law clearance/permit to sell goods from unlicensed dealers/suppliers[2] | PNP (local police station) | if goods are bought from an unlicensed dealer or supplier | Not published |
| Price tags/price list also required for online selling[4] | DTI | if selling online | Not published |
Rules and exemptions
Selling rules that apply
- Commercial importation of used clothing and rags is prohibited: RA 4653 makes it unlawful to bring used clothing and rags into the Philippines (with narrow exceptions under the old Tariff Code)[3]
- Penalty for importing used clothing: fine PHP 200 to PHP…: RA 4653 penalty: fine of PHP 200 to PHP 20,000 and imprisonment of 2 to 5 years; illegally imported used clothing is burned[3]