Creme vs Grade 1 vs Camera: Mitumba Bales Grades Explained

Mitumba clothes, bags and shoes are sourced from charities in various European countries. They are then classified into a few grades and packaged in bales according to the level of wear and tear. After grading and packaging, the mitumba bales are shipped to the port of Mombasa, and distributed to various wholesalers countrywide.

These types of mitumba bales are a very important piece of information for a new business person. You need to understand the different grades also in order to ensure you get things right before making any investment decision.

The knowledge of the source for your mitumba bales also comes in handy. Why? Because it is the sorting process from the source of the mitumba that determines what you get inside the bale at Gikomba or any other wholesale point.

Nobody really has complete control on the quality of second hand items, but the sorting is the only activity that determines what finally lands in your shop. Getting a mitumba supplier with good reviews and trusted sources will therefore be an assignment you must work on.

1. Crème Mitumba Bales

Crème is a term used to refer to mitumba bales with brand new clothes that have never been worn. They are sold as mitumba because someone, after buying them for resale, somehow decided not to sell them.

Probably the clothes were deemed out of fashion before they could be opened for resale. Or maybe the business was closed down due to unprecedented circumstances. Still, some are new clothes dropped by overseas business persons at donation points, and later sold as second hand clothes to raise funds for a certain cause.

Crème Mitumba bales are therefore expensive as expected, sometimes costing as much as Ksh 40,000. Mitumba clothes, bags or shoes in this grade are 100% free from tear, cracks, fade, discoloration or other damages. In addition, they come in their original styles and colors – both fashionable and functional – and can be worn to look stylish and professional at any formal event.

2. Grade 1 (Grade A) Mitumba Bales

This is the most popular category of mitumba bales for business persons in Kenya, mainly because it’s a perfect blend of affordability and quality.

Grade One Mitumba clothes, bags or shoes were worn a few times, hence they are still in an almost new condition. The items in this lot are in almost perfect condition, and a little dry cleaning makes them appear new to your clients.

And this is where the source comes in handy. As earlier mentioned, it is the sorting process at the source that determines what you get to your shop. Certain overseas cities are known to have top rated Grade 1 mitumba bales vendors. Always check the reviews from buyers. Some mitumba bales wholesalers in Kenya will be generous enough to reveal their sources.

3. Grade 2 (Grade B) Mitumba Bales

Unlike Grade One, the Grade 2 mitumba bales contain clothes that have been worn several times by their previous owners. They are not as pleasant as those in Grade 1 or Creme bales, and are therefore cheaper.

Starters are advised to go for this class for open air markets since the bales are cheap. You certainly don’t want to get a bale at Ksh 30,000 and be forced to sell at Ksh 100 on a market day.

The only difference between a Grade 1 and a Grade 2 bale is the number of first camera and second camera pieces. A Grade 1 bale typically contains about 40% first camera and 50% second camera and 10% fagia. On the other hand, a Grade 2 bale will have about 20% first camera, 60% second camera and 20% fagia pieces.

4. Camera Mitumba

Many people mistakenly believe that there are pure camera bales, but in reality, no bale is entirely made up of camera pieces. Instead, camera items are selectively picked from a mixed bale.

The word “camera” originates from the idea that these clothes look as good as new—just like they came fresh from a store, as if they were still in their original packaging. These are the pieces found in a mitumba bale, often with:

• No stains or damage
• Minimal to no signs of wear
• High-end brands or trendy designs
• Strong fabric quality and neat stitching

Since these pieces are in excellent condition, they fetch higher prices compared to the rest of the bale.

The Composition of a Mitumba Bale

A mitumba bale is a compressed bundle of second-hand clothes imported from different countries, mainly the UK, USA, Canada, China, and other regions. A single bale typically contains mixed-quality items, including:

1. Camera Grade (Top Quality) – These are the best items in the bale, often looking brand new.
2. Grade 1 (Good Quality) – Items that are still in great condition but may have minor signs of wear.
3. Grade 2 (Fair Quality) – Clothes that are usable but have visible wear, slight fading, or small stains.
4. Grade 3 (Low Quality) – Items that have significant wear, stains, or minor damages, often sold at very low prices.

Since a bale is mixed, there is no such thing as a pure camera bale. Even the best bales will contain a mixture of different grades.

Why “Pure Camera Bales” Don’t Exist

Some suppliers may claim to sell 100% camera bales, but this is a marketing gimmick. Here’s why:

• Bales are pre-packed at the source and contain a mix of different qualities.
• Camera pieces are usually a small percentage of any bale. Most suppliers estimate that camera items make up 10-30% of the total content.
• Sorting happens at the wholesale level, meaning that to get more camera pieces, one must open multiple bales and handpick them.

How to Get More Camera Pieces

If you want to maximize camera items, you can:

1. Buy from trusted suppliers who provide high-quality bales with a good percentage of camera items.
2. Sort through multiple bales and pick out the best pieces, as agreed with your supplier. It’s called kukula camera in Gikomba.
3. Specialize in specific categories like dresses, jackets, or designer wear, which tend to have a higher number of camera pieces.