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Parallel Import
I recently encountered an issue with a policy warning on Amazon UK for a Seagate product. The complaint was filed by a Seagate representative and stated "Parallel Import" as the reason for removal. The product in question is the Seagate IronWolf 4TB (ASIN: B09NHV3CK9, Model: ST4000VN006). However, in direct communication, the representative clarified that the actual reason was an "Amazon Exclusive" agreement between Seagate and Amazon, although it is not listed as an Amazon exclusive. It seems the representative is trying to unfairly block sales from third-party sellers using this incorrect approach.
Key issues:
Incorrect Claim – The product was legally sourced from an official EU supplier, and there is no parallel import involved.
Violation of Amazon Policies – The representative's actions appear to be inconsistent with Amazon’s policies on parallel imports, and they are unfairly removing sellers who have already shipped products to Amazon's warehouse.
Unfair Seller Practices – This wrongful claim negatively impacts sellers' accounts and sales performance.
I’ve requested the Seagate representative to retract the claim, but they’ve redirected me to Amazon. Has anyone else experienced similar issues? How would you suggest addressing this situation?
21 replies
Seller_Nprc5XWvdLYk9
genuine question,
now that UK is no longer within the EU,
could that mean that a manufacturer can "block" stock from Europe and label it as a parallel import?
Seller_JmMU2bOvbVCTp
Under the pretext of parallel import?
Let Amazon have the exclusive. But what does parallel import have to do with it? Where are Amazon's employees? How can we resolve this issue?
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
they are right that there are limited reasons they can give on Amazon.
That being said and I don’t know the full details of the product obviously….you are I assume selling this in the UK but you purchased it in the EU.
At a purely technical level that could be deemed a parallel import….A parallel import is a non-counterfeit product imported from another country without the permission of the intellectual property owner.
If you aren’t getting anywhere with seller support, you might have to try managingdirector@amazon.co.uk
Seller_JmMU2bOvbVCTp
The fact is that the same trade rules apply in the UK as in the EU. Parallel import refers to products purchased outside the UK and the European Union. Our sourcing is fully compliant with the law.
The response from the Seagate manager when asked why they filed a parallel import claim against us:
"Parallel import" is the only option we can select in the vendor portal to report a case. Please feel free to raise this issue with Amazon.
Seller_ZJhFeE3tNKzfh
this is the information on parallel imports on Amazon, which note could differ from policies outside the platform…
Parallel imports
Rights owners may prohibit third parties from importing their goods into the European Economic Area (EEA) without their consent, or reselling such goods. However, they cannot prohibit the resale of products that were imported into the EEA with their authorisation. For instance, the sale of a product originally (legally) imported into the UK in Italy is not an IP-infringing parallel import.
Now it’s a bit out of date but the key part seems to be the reference to the EEA, which the UK is no longer in?
Like I say your route of complaint of query though would need to be via the managingdirector email address.
Seller_MT8rt0A2OpbCx
That is not the case, even before UK left the EU. For example, you couldn't sell mains electrical equipment in the UK without a BS standard plug.
As long as Amazon don't breach legislation, they can (and do) apply further of their own rules, which they seem to be doing in this case.
It seems clear that Seagate don't want these drives sold by third party sellers on Amazon and Amazon may have an obligation to respect that. Although there may be an argument within competition legislation, specifically regarding allowing domination in a market.
Seller_JmMU2bOvbVCTp
Yes, Seagate doesn’t want other sellers to offer this product. But why file a claim—especially for Parallel Import?
This severely impacts account health. Right now, we are taking significant losses just to compete for the Buy Box. Our account health score has dropped by 200 points, which is a serious issue.
Seller_d8YGbIjNqwFxn
It does say on the listing that it is an Amazon exclusive.
It is important for you to understand if it is exactly the same product that you have or is it a similar product that has some difference such as part number or appearance.
As it is an Amazon exclusive you would assume that Seagate have only given stock to Amazon for resale and not anyone else.
If it is a similar product the chances of getting the infringement overturned is low.
There are only 2 ways of getting this overturned. You can ask Seagate to withdraw the infringement or appeal to Amazon that there has been a mistake.
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