---
title: "How do I donate goods or clothes to a charity?"
description: "Take items directly to a charity shop where you can see the charity"
source: https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/answers/how-do-i-donate-goods-or-clothes
retrieved: 2026-08-18T01:25:54.492Z
license: "Charity data © Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0"
---

Giving & tax

# How do I donate goods or clothes to a charity?

**In short:** Take items directly to a charity shop where you can see the charity's name and registration number, or book a collection through the charity itself. Under retail Gift Aid, signing up lets the charity claim an extra 25% on what your donated items sell for, at no cost to you.

Data from [CharityCompare editorial](https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/), last updated 12 August 2026.

A few practical points:

- **Charity shops** — ask about **retail Gift Aid**. If you are a UK taxpayer and register once, the charity can reclaim tax on the proceeds when your items sell, adding roughly 25%.

- **Collection bags through the door** — some are genuine, others are commercial collectors who pay a charity a small fee per tonne. Both can be lawful, but a bag naming no registered charity is not a charitable collection.

- **Condition matters.** Charities pay to dispose of unsellable items, so donating damaged goods can cost them money.

- **Large items** — furniture and white goods usually need booking, and must meet safety rules such as intact fire labels on upholstery.

See [how to spot charity scams](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides/charity-scams-and-fake-appeals) on doorstep collections.

## Related questions

- [→ Can I get a refund on a charity donation?](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/answers/can-i-get-a-refund-on-a-donation)
- [→ What is Gift Aid and should I use it?](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/answers/gift-aid-explained)
- [→ Are charity donations tax deductible in the UK?](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/answers/is-my-donation-tax-deductible-uk)
- [→ Are you affiliated with any charities?](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/answers/affiliation)

Look up any UK charity's free Clarity Score from regulator filings.

[Search charities](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity-directory) [Read the guides](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides)

**Information only** — see [guides](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides) for more detail.