The policy allows Tk 15 crore in cast-off import a year and 3,000 importers selected from 64 districts by lottery are given permits to import seconds.

But the import curve has sloped downwards over the years with Tk 13.93 crore allowed in fiscal 1998-1999, Tk 6 crore in fiscal 2000-2001 and Tk 62 lakh this year, said sources in the Office of Chief Controller of Import and Export.

The seconds are mostly winter clothes imported from the US, Japan, the UK and South Korea and sold in wayside shops at prices affordable to the low-income group.

The policy limited the import volume to four tons of each of the categories such as sweaters, ladies' cardigans, gents' zipper jackets and trousers.

Importers blamed the slack demand for seconds on a glut of new clothes from garment factories, now available at affordable prices on the market.

The importers have to pay at least 60 percent in tax on imported clothes -- a barrier that pushes the prices up.

Usually, the importers bring the clothes in bales weighing 100kg each. At least 500 shirts are in a bale that costs an importer Tk 5,000. Each shirt sells at up to Tk 60 -- a price tag close to that of a local shirt up for sale at up to Tk 70.

"Customers prefer new shirts to used ones," said Jamaluddin, a cast-off clothes seller at New Market.

"Products of local garment factories look nice and cost less," said Sajjad Kadir, a student of Dhaka University when asked why he buys them.

"Less import of used clothes can also save some foreign currency as well," he added.