Provided the paperwork is in order, there are very few places to my knowledge hides like this cannot be brought or sold to - documentation once inside the country and made a final product is another matter. The article serves as a stellar example: no fashion powerhouse would risk an imperfect hide being used on a flagship good to save a few euro, quid, or dollars. Now if they sourced the properly sourced hides from an 'improper sourcer' i.e. "Hey these fell off'a some truck, you want a deal?" that'd be a different matter, but again if the company is reputable and known, less likely.
It's akin to Rolex expecting a metric ton of 'Oystersteel' and getting, say standard aircraft grade stainless and going, "Hey, who'll notice"
These laws, not just CITES but most animal laws of this nature, seek to reduce the profits of poaching, thus hopefully reducing the number of poachers - hence why ivory, a much more readily shown item as the only legal varieties are mostly grandfathered-in (pre ivory trade laws, etc) is much easier to stymie - still difficult.
To answer the question in a word, Yes. Export/Import of this nature is, in general, allowed.
BUT it has to follow the letter of the law in not only where it come from, but where it's going.
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