Top 10 Ways Grey Market Imports Damage the Environment Grey Market Imports and Environmental Impact | Brand Protection Strategies. Grey market imports inflate emissions, waste packaging, and undermine ESG goals. Learn how counterfeit detection, ecommerce brand protection, and IP protection strategies reduce their environmental harm. The Hidden Environmental Toll of Grey Market Imports Grey market imports — also known as parallel imports — are genuine products sold through unauthorized distribution channels. Unlike counterfeits, they are often manufactured by the original brand, but they are resold in markets where the brand never intended them to be distributed. At first glance, grey market imports may seem harmless, even attractive to consumers hunting for lower prices. But behind the bargain is a hidden environmental cost. Grey market imports inflate shipping emissions, undermine recycling programs, and increase waste through poor quality control and premature disposal. Because ...