Mixed Rags & Credentials — Two Stages of the US Supply Chain
Volume-priced institutional mixed rags for export and industrial conversion, plus unsorted credential clothing with premium quality upside. Same source — US charities, bin programs, and thrift floors — different stages of the second-hand supply chain.
What We Supply
Two categories at different stages of the US second-hand supply chain. Both sourced through charities and bin programs, both baled and shipped from our Houston facility.
Institutional Mixed Rags
The byproduct of secondary sorting — thrift store and charity floor leftovers.
Mostly functional Grade-A and Grade-B clothing. Volume-driven pricing per pound. Primarily exported in container volume to developing markets.
Credential Rags
The “gold standard” of the secondary materials and textile recycling industry — unsorted, unopened, still in the original donor bags. Sourced from clothing drop-boxes, bin programs, and door-to-door collection in high-income US neighborhoods. Untouched by graders.
Highest yield of designer brands, vintage pieces, and accessories. Yield-driven pricing per pound. Target buyers: high-end graders.
How They Differ
Choosing between credentials and institutional mixed rags is a business model decision: high-margin discovery vs. high-volume tonnage.
| Feature | Institutional Mixed Rags | Credential Rags |
|---|---|---|
| State | Sorted / culled, compressed in bales | Unsorted, in original donor bags |
| Source | Thrift store leftovers, charity floor culls | Drop-boxes, bin programs, door-to-door pickup |
| Quality | Functional Grade-A and Grade-B | High — brand names / vintage potential |
| Pricing | Lower per pound (volume-driven) | Higher per pound (yield-driven) |
| Best for | Export markets, high volume graders | High-end graders |
Container Loadouts & Pricing
FOB Houston by sea container. Pricing varies by category, source mix, and volume — contact us for current rate sheets.
40HC Container
Standard 40-foot high-cube ocean container. The default loadout for international wholesale. Bale count and total weight depend on category and press density.
Minimum Order
1 container. Mix categories within the load if needed (e.g., partial credentials + partial institutional).
Lead Time
2–4 weeks from PO to vessel, depending on destination port.
Payment Terms
50% deposit on confirmation, remaining balance against BL.
Who Buys Mixed Rags & Credentials
If you’re sorting, grading, converting, or curating at scale — let’s talk.
Sorting Houses & High-Volume Graders
International operators in South Asia, Latin America, and Africa who buy institutional mixed rags by the container and run their own grading + resale.
High-End Graders
Curators and resellers buying credentials for higher quality clothing, shoes, and accessories. Margin-driven, willing to pay premium per pound.
Ready to Order?
Tell us your category mix, container size, destination port, and monthly volume. We’ll come back with pricing and lead times.