GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026

Grey import

Grey import – also known as parallel import – occurs when genuine branded goods are purchased in one market and brought into another without the brand owner's authorisation.

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Last updated: 22 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grauimport

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Logistics Concept

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Definition & Explanation

Grey import – also known as parallel import – occurs when genuine branded goods are purchased in one market and brought into another without the brand owner's authorisation. The products are authentic; the distribution channel, however, bypasses the manufacturer's official network. Brand owners consequently lose control over pricing and market positioning, while end consumers typically forfeit any entitlement to local warranty or after-sales support. The legal status of grey imports turns on the applicable exhaustion-of-rights doctrine: international exhaustion may permit parallel trade, whereas regional or national exhaustion rules can restrict or prohibit it. Customs duties and import charges apply regardless of distribution channel. Grey imports must be clearly distinguished from counterfeits – the goods are genuine, not fake.

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Grey import

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