Is it illegal to import or sell gray market goods in the UK?

darilmaz68 · #1 11-03-2015

hello, i am currently planning on moving apple and Samsung accessories genuine and authentic ones into the UK and of course reselling them at wholesale prices to retail shops and of course start a small online business. would their be any problems doing so?

JamesNorth101 · #2 11-03-2015

Do you have 100% proof that they are authentic?

jakobrockz · #3 11-03-2015

It is LEGAL to buy generic items and sell them AS GENERIC.

It is ILLEGAL to buy generic items and sell them AS AUTHENTIC.

Ebayorbust · #4 11-03-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by darilmaz68

hello, i am currently planning on moving apple and Samsung accessories genuine and authentic ones into the UK and of course reselling them at wholesale prices to retail shops and of course start a small online business. would their be any problems doing so?

You asked similar in your other thread.

The distributor is in China (ALARM BELLS) and is telling you the stuff is authentic but they cannot produce anything to back this up (Go to jail. Go directly to jail. Do not pass go. Do not collect £200).

If you're going to supply this gear to retail shops, it will quickly come to the attention of trading standards, who in turn will hand you your arse on plate.

dan_ebay · #5 11-03-2015

You already made a similar thread. If they're genuine then its not illegal but Samsung could try and sue you, they'd probably just spam you with cease and desist as they'd likely fail at suing you. Make sure you have a ltd company if you do it and if they take you to court you can just get the money out before and bankrupt the company

darilmaz68 · #6 11-03-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan_ebay

You already made a similar thread. If they're genuine then its not illegal but Samsung could try and sue you, they'd probably just spam you with cease and desist as they'd likely fail at suing you. Make sure you have a ltd company if you do it and if they take you to court you can just get the money out before and bankrupt the company

you seem to know a lot about this stuff however i am still getting people asking me that are the products genuine, the products are genuine and authentic and as before they are an authorized distributor in china only. however me importing these products will mean they are grey market products as it is imported into another market without the consent of the trademark owner. but also on one hand the products are in BULK so they are not in retail packaging. would that also help it easier to import?

darilmaz68 · #7 11-03-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebayorbust

You asked similar in your other thread.

The distributor is in China (ALARM BELLS) and is telling you the stuff is authentic but they cannot produce anything to back this up (Go to jail. Go directly to jail. Do not pass go. Do not collect £200).

If you're going to supply this gear to retail shops, it will quickly come to the attention of trading standards, who in turn will hand you your arse on plate.

the products are genuine i checked with them and also the owners like Nokia and Motorola which they also sell and they are authorized distributors in china. i am going to speak to a trademark attorney to find out if i am allowed to import these products without the consent of the trademark owner.

dan_ebay · #8 11-03-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by darilmaz68

you seem to know a lot about this stuff however i am still getting people asking me that are the products genuine, the products are genuine and authentic and as before they are an authorized distributor in china only. however me importing these products will mean they are grey market products as it is imported into another market without the consent of the trademark owner. but also on one hand the products are in BULK so they are not in retail packaging. would that also help it easier to import?

Not really I've just done the same so had a look online. If I get taken to court for it I'll just sell everything beforehand, pay myself and have a giiggle at him suing my company with no assets.
Its not illegal you can't get arrested personally or anything for it.
People asking if stuff is genuine is for you to decide if its worthwhile or not, I don't have that problem as I said as the products I sell have authenticity codes on

BigCJ · #9 11-03-2015

Sweet jesus this got out of hand fast...

JamesNorth101 · #10 11-03-2015

My rule of thumb is if you have to ask if something is a 'grey' are or if it is 'legalish' then really you should just fine another way to go forward

GreenBean · #11 11-03-2015

I guess there will be enough dodgy shops on the High Street to buy these real but cheap and nasty items.

Oh wait, the prats in them will likely be importing the same goods.

Not a great money making scheme

MM78 · #12 11-03-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by darilmaz68

hello, i am currently planning on moving apple and Samsung accessories genuine and authentic ones into the UK and of course reselling them at wholesale prices to retail shops and of course start a small online business. would their be any problems doing so?

Here's something to think about, your going to have a few issues:
1. Your going to run into category Limits
2. Apple can still remove your items, just because you assume your supplier in China is selling genuine items and perhaps approved to make the items Your not approved by Apple to sell the items.

hAve · #13 11-04-2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by MM78

Here's something to think about, your going to have a few issues:
1. Your going to run into category Limits
2. Apple can still remove your items, just because you assume your supplier in China is selling genuine items and perhaps approved to make the items Your not approved by Apple to sell the items.

This is not only issue, he will be lucky to get away through Customs as for them it will look very suspicious.