Baleh Used clothes in Damascus: prices, grades and buyers
Episode date: Length: 1 min 32 s
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Baleh is the market for imported second hand clothes. The Mukhtar toured shops in Damascus to learn the prices, what the grades mean, and how a piece reaches the seller.
The short answer
In August 2025 a baleh item in Damascus cost about $0.9 to $2.7 (100 to 300 new Syrian pounds), and a cotton sweater $0.9 to $1.4. Bales come in grades: grade 1 is the best, then 2, then 3. Sellers say European bales are better than Turkish ones.
Sellers quoted about $1.8 to $2.7 per item (200 to 300 new pounds), and $0.9 to $1.4 for a cotton sweater (100 to 150 pounds). One shop had women's items on offer at about $0.9 (100 pounds).
What do grades 1, 2 and 3 mean?
Bales are sorted by grade. Grade 1 is the best quality, then grade 2, then grade 3. Traders buy by the kilo, work out the cost per piece, and price from there.
European or Turkish?
Sellers say European bales are better quality. One said some Asian stock runs short in size. Shops also sell home goods such as curtains and towels.
Who shops at baleh?
Sellers said their customers come from every walk of life, including actors and directors who sometimes come after closing time to pick pieces.
Questions people ask
How much are used clothes in Damascus?
In August 2025 an item cost about $1.8 to $2.7 (200 to 300 new Syrian pounds) and a cotton sweater $0.9 to $1.4, according to sellers.
What does grade 1 mean in baleh?
It is the top quality grade. Grade 2 and grade 3 come after it.
Are European or Turkish bales better?
Sellers in the episode say European bales are better quality.
We ask sellers in the market and record every price with its date, in US dollars and new Syrian pounds. How we work
The Mukhtar Al Souq team: produced by Ahmad Nahas (the show on his site) · written by Ahmad Nahas, Mazen Shbib, Ranim Shabani and Dania Halbouni · edited by Abdulrahman Al-Nassar and Abdulrahman Mulla · graphics by Wael Fayyad
The truth from the market, for the people