# Parallel import

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> A trader purchases genuine branded goods where they are priced lower and imports them into another market without the brand owner's authorisation – this is parallel import.

A trader purchases genuine branded goods where they are priced lower and imports them into another market without the brand owner's authorisation – this is parallel import. The products are authentic and lawfully manufactured; the dispute arises not from any lack of genuineness but from the brand owner's inability to enforce regional pricing. For freight forwarders and customs authorities, the distinction from counterfeits is fundamental: parallel imports clear customs without difficulty provided origin documents and commercial paperwork are complete. Within the EU and EEA, the principle of trademark exhaustion applies: once the rights holder has placed the goods on the market there, onward distribution within that territory cannot be blocked. In third countries operating under national exhaustion, brand owners retain the right to take legal action against such imports.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_import](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_import)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Parallel import |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 129 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_import |

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