Blog
Inside the Warehouse: The Process of Packaging Mitumba Bales
The mitumba trade, which involves the export of second-hand clothes, shoes, bags, and household items to Kenya, is a meticulous and structured process. The journey from collection to export involves several critical steps, ensuring that the mitumba items meet high-quality standards and are ready for distribution in local markets. Let’s delve into the detailed process of packaging mitumba bales for export:
Step 1: Sorting
The initial phase of the process involves the collection of second-hand items from various cities. Mitumba exporters carefully inspect the quality of the materials upon arrival. Any items deemed substandard or not meeting the set criteria are promptly rejected.
A team of skilled and experienced sorting workers, each with more than 5 years of expertise, meticulously categorizes the raw materials. The established standard dictates that 90% of the mitumba clothes, shoes, and bags must exhibit an 85% new condition.
Step 2: Inspection and Grading
After the sorting process, an inspection team undertakes a thorough re-evaluation of the items to ensure excellent quality. Different companies will have their own standards.
Mitumba Clothes Grading Standard
| Creme | Grade 1 (Grade A) | Grade 2 (Grade B) |
|---|---|---|
| All new clothes | All the clothes have no holes, none is faded and no signs of overuse. No missing parts like buttons, clothes require do dyeing. | Some clothes may have moderate holes that can be repaired. Others have missing parts such as buttons. Moderate dyeing required due to overuse. |
Mitumba Shoes Grading Standard
| Creme | Grade 1 (Grade A) | Grade 2 (Grade B) |
|---|---|---|
| All new shoes | Rarely dirty shoes, hence no cleaning required. No torn areas, no missing parts such as shoe laces. | Consists of usable shoes that require cleaning and minor repairs. No peeling, No broken soles. |
Mitumba Bags Grading Standard
| Creme | Grade 1 (Grade A) | Grade 2 (Grade B) |
|---|---|---|
| All new bags | Almost new bags with smooth zippers and no scratches. | Has a few bags with broken zippers and scratches due to overuse. |
Step 3: Packing
Once the inspection is complete, the mitumba exporter utilizes specialized balers to pack the items. The capacity of each bale can range from 100kg, 90kg, 80kg, 50kg to 45kg, depending on the target market and adherence to customs regulations.
Importantly, the exporter can accommodate requests from importers to have the bales packaged with their company logos, adding a personalized touch to the exported goods.
Before loading the bales into containers for shipment, a final confirmation is conducted to ensure consistency with the order. This meticulous attention to detail at every stage of the process underscores the commitment to delivering high-quality mitumba items to the Kenyan market.
The thorough sorting, inspection, and packaging procedures contribute to the success and reputation of the mitumba trade as a sustainable and reliable industry.
