Combating Parallel Importing: Views of US Exporters to the Asia‐Pacific Region

Abstract

Twenty‐nine per cent of US exporters to the Asia‐Pacific region reported that their exclusive/sole agents were experiencing problems with parallel imports. Nearly 41 per cent of the US exporters surveyed had experienced parallel distribution problems in the past. Exporters to the Asia‐Pacific region judged the relative merit of eleven strategies to combat parallel distribution. The strategy perceived to be most effective was to refuse orders from non‐appointed agents. Four strategies were perceived to be somewhat effective: namely, price reductions, special promotional allowances, recognition of warranties only on products sold by the appointed agent, and specially labelled products.