In the interests of knowing precisely what one is in for, it’s imperative to gain a clear understanding when it comes to import terminology.
Of relevance in the world of consumerism is the term “parallel goods”.
These items “are original products of established brands which are purchased by importers from a foreign country, possibly to be sold in South Africa”, says Wesley Rajbansi of Shepstone & Wylie.
And while they’re not fake products, the senior associate in the law firm’s Shipping and Logistics department warns that “the risk of parallel importing branded products is that they are likely to be stopped by either the police or customs to ensure that they are not counterfeit”.
To make sure that you’re up to speed on this complex subject, read Wesley’s column here: https://tinyurl.com/2f33v5vm.