Don’t compromise on your Canon experience

Don’t settle for less

Make sure you get the full Canon experience - with products intended by Canon for your region

Sometimes Canon products are imported into your region, which were never intended by Canon for sale there. Also known as “grey goods”, they are often sold at lower prices – but the downside is they can cost you a lot more in the long term.

The hidden costs of products not intended by Canon for your region

Canon goes to great lengths to ensure each Canon product is carefully localised to the region intended by Canon for its sale and general use. Through careful consideration Canon ensures it has the appropriate hardware, software, manual in relevant languages, accessories (plugs and bags) and warranty for a particular region.

While on the surface grey goods can appear to be a good deal, sellers often artificially localise the grey goods by adding, changing or removing accessories, manuals and warranties themselves – potentially compromising your Canon experience. Some online retailers may claim to be based in your region, but they are not - so it pays to be aware.

Here are just some of the risks, problems and additional costs you could face if you choose to buy grey goods:

1. Extra import duties or customs charges– these may be imposed on top of the quoted grey goods’ price.
2. Refunds and returns may be difficult or impossible- as sellers outside your region may not be subject to your local consumer legislation on product returns.
3. Consumer warranty may be not available- grey goods will not be eligible to benefit from local Canon warranty support. It is up to the retailer to provide warranty support for grey goods. If the seller is located outside of your region, then you may not receive the help you expect from the seller because the seller is not subject to your local consumer legislation on warranties. Alternatively, if warranty servicing is provided by the seller it may be provided by independent service centres, whose warranty services are not in line with Canon standards.
4. Hazardous or poor quality non-Canon power cords or mains adaptors– unsafe third party products may be included which are not approved by Canon and do not satisfy local regulations.
5. Incorrect software disks- which may not function in your region.
6. Poor quality manuals– no local manual or unreadable photocopies are often supplied by “grey” retailers.
7. No cashback– may not eligible to claim the benefit of a cashback (if offered) or benefit from other local Canon promotions.

The advantages of buying Canon products intended for your region

You can avoid all of these problems by purchasing products, intended by Canon for your region, from reputable retailers in your region. They are configured specifically for your region and they come with the full support, approved accessories and consumer protections that only Canon can provide – so you can get the full Canon experience and maximum enjoyment from your purchase. Plus you can take advantage of Canon’s cash back deals or other promotions (where & when active) to make great savings.

Find a reputable Canon retailer in your region

To ensure the Canon product you purchase is intended for your region, we recommend you visit our “Where to buy” page.

Where to buy >

If international delivery of your Canon product is required - for example from Asia or the United States - or the seller is based outside your region, then you may receive grey goods.

How to identify if Canon products are grey goods

The following identification marks and language features may help you identify whether a product is a grey good:

Compact Digital Cameras – IXUS and PowerShot

If one of these features is missing, the product may be a grey good:

1. the sales box should display English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Russian languages;

   
   

2. inside the box, a Canon warranty appropriate for your region should be provided; and
3. the product should have the name IXUS or PowerShot. Canon products can have different names in different markets. Cameras named IXY Digital ELPH are not intended by Canon for your region.

Video products

If one of these features is missing, the product may be a grey good:

1. the sales box should display English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Russian languages;
2. the PAL logo should be displayed on the sales box. PAL is the video format for Europe while NTSC is primarily for the US market;

   
   

3. the product should have the name Legria. Products can have different names in different regions. For example, Video cameras named VIXIA are not intended for your region
4. the sales box and product should feature the EAC & CE logos in your region.

   

DSLR products

If one of these features is missing, the product may be a grey good:

1. the sales box should display English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Russian languages;

   
   

2. the product should have the name EOS. DSLR cameras named Kiss and Rebel are not intended for your region; and

Check the serial number

If you remain unsure whether your Canon product is intended for sale in your region, simply send the model name and serial number to ipr.info@canon-europe.com. Please allow a few days for us to check and reply to you by e-mail. Please also note that this query service is limited to compact digital cameras, DSLR cameras, EF-Lenses and video cameras.

If a product you purchase is not what you expected, local consumer protection laws may allow you to return undamaged and unused products, with the receipt, to the seller within a prescribed period after purchase.

Where to find your serial number >