A: Grey products/parallel imports are goods that have been imported without approval from the manufacturer, brand owner or its licensed supplier. Grey products/parallel import goods are not covered under the manufacturer, brand owner or its licensed supplier’s warranty.

According to the Consumer Protection Act, suppliers of grey goods are legally obliged not only to inform potential customers that the goods are “grey” but to spell out the warranty implications.

The Act requires that consumers be told that the goods “have been imported without the approval or licence of the registered owner of that trademark and that no guarantee or warranty in respect of such goods will be honoured by any official or licensed importer of such goods”.