International Warrenty - USA bought

[York_Tyke]

Hi,

I'm located in the UK and have just bought a Canon 100mm macro lens from B&H in New York.

The lens came with a International Warrenty card, but the small print refers specifically to the purchasing and using of the lens in the US and Canada.

Is this a true international warrenty, whereby I can claim on the warrenty in the UK or is it just valid for the the US and Canada?


Thanks

Tyke

[karusel]

From what I know, if it's not grey market (on B&H site it says "Imported"), it has a worldwide warranty.

[psk4363]

Hi,

Did you bring it over from the USA yourself? Or did B&H post it to you - if so how much extra did HM Govt. sting you for in duty and tax?

I'm asking because I'm looking at getting the 100-400 L IS from them?

Cheers,
Barry

[IanD]

Hi,

Did you bring it over from the USA yourself? Or did B&H post it to you - if so how much extra did HM Govt. sting you for in duty and tax?

I'm asking because I'm looking at getting the 100-400 L IS from them?

Cheers,
Barry
Barry
Check out marketplace forum. A chap from the UK has a 100-400 for sale.

[dds]

According to what I read on BH website a few months ago before buying a lens there (I'm in Italy) it seems that it will be covered by warranty if you don't get the imported (grey market) version.

Just to be sure, try to contact Canon UK. They are supposed to know!....and obviously let us know.

I actually did not do that.... :roll:

DDS

[York_Tyke]

Ian,

I had it posted in,

Made order on the Tuesday and sent photos of my credit card for verification. On the Thursday UPS phoned saying I had vat to pay. Paid
that over the phone. Lens was delivered on the Friday. 4 day transaction, which I think is pretty good.

With postage I paid about £350 for the lens saving about £50 on the cheapest UK version that I've seen (£399). I'm going for the 100-400mm next and with current exchange rates I reckon on saving maybe £200. A rough estimate for vat is 25% of the price you paid, I think it's a bit less than that though.

Thanks to everybody for their replys.

John.

[Waterstar]

I've also bought from B&H. Similar timescale to "York Tyke".

The "Approximately 25% VAT" charge comprises 6% import duty and 17.5% VAT, hence very close to 25%.

I also bought recently 100-400L from Fotoboom in Spain. Had to send funds by bank transfer. Worked out as a 2 day transaction. Total cost approximately £900.

[dds]

I read all the sheets coming with my lens and I think I have been lucky because what York_Tyke says is true: no mention to an european warranty... :shock:

This is what was in the box (USA version of 70-200/2.8):
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=3204964&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=3204965&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

If we don't have an international warranty is it worth to buy the USA version of the product?

Did anyone from Europe ever encountered a problem (with an item bought in the US) and need warranty? Any experience with Tamron?

:roll:

DDS

[York_Tyke]

I've emailed various Canon offices and B&H, one reply so far from Denmark.

They say.. "The International Warranty is valid for all Canon lenses."

Which I think could be read in a number of ways. I'll see what other responses I get.

John.

[dds]

I e-mailed BH too.
I will be out of town for a few days, then I will try to contact Canon Italy and will let you know what I get.
DDS

[York_Tyke]

Canon Gibralter says...

The warranty for goods bought from the USA are only valid in the USA. unless they carry a EUROPEAN warranty.

Which differs from Canon Denmark, who in an additional email said the USA international warranty was valid for fixes to be carried out in Europe.

[York_Tyke]

B&H says..

To the best of my knowledge your warranty should be reciprocally honoured by authorized service facilities in your locale.

[York_Tyke]

Canon UK are saying...

If you purchase a lens from the US, the warranty will not be valid in the UK as they only have a continental warranty.

If thats the case no point paying for the USA version, might as well go with the grey import.

The warranty card does say international warranty though.

John.

[York_Tyke]

Canon UK are saying...

If you purchase a lens from the US, the warranty will not be valid in the UK as they only have a continental warranty.

If thats the case no point paying for the USA version, might as well go with the grey import.

The warranty card does say international warranty though.

John.

[Cadwell]

Canon UK are saying...

If you purchase a lens from the US, the warranty will not be valid in the UK as they only have a continental warranty.

If thats the case no point paying for the USA version, might as well go with the grey import.

The warranty card does say international warranty though.

John.

Fairly obvious stance. Canon must really hate people who import lenses into the UK, look at how much money Canon are losing out on the deal, so they'll do everything they can (legally) do to discourage the practice. If they think being awkward over warranties will discourage consumers, then that is what they will do.

[York_Tyke]

Canon USA reponse....

It can be repaired if necessary in Europe. There should be a list of where you could get it fixed in the box


Ross Held
Director, Assistant General Manager
National Markets CIG
Canon USA Inc.

[nucki]

I read all the sheets coming with my lens and I think I have been lucky because what York_Tyke says is true: no mention to an european warranty... :shock:

This is what was in the box (USA version of 70-200/2.8):
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=3204964&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1
http://images.fotopic.net/?id=3204965&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

If we don't have an international warranty is it worth to buy the USA version of the product?

Did anyone from Europe ever encountered a problem (with an item bought in the US) and need warranty? Any experience with Tamron?

:roll:

DDS

well I bought all my lenses in the USA and did not have any problems. I think, a lens would work well unless it falls on the ground or something. And thats not a garanty case. maybe I'm wrong, but I saved a lot of money...

best regards
Peter

[York_Tyke]

Peter,

Touch wood they'll be nothing wrong with them, it just seems pointless paying extra for the USA versions if there is no benefit over the grey imports.

Did you get the grey import or USA versions?



John.

[York_Tyke]

Peter,

Touch wood they'll be nothing wrong with them, it just seems pointless paying extra for the USA versions if there is no benefit over the grey imports.

Did you get the grey import or USA versions?



John.

[nucki]

Peter,

Touch wood they'll be nothing wrong with them, it just seems pointless paying extra for the USA versions if there is no benefit over the grey imports.

Did you get the grey import or USA versions?



John.

no, these are the USA version. B&H told me that this includes an international warranty. by now, I have no problems, so I cant say, if this really works...

regards
Peter

[York_Tyke]

I responded to Canon UK's initial email in which they said...

"If you purchase a lens from the US, the warranty will not be valid in the UK as they only have a continental warranty."

Now they are are saying...

Please be advised that your Canon lense does have an International Warranty and should you need to have it repaired it can be done so in the UK under your warranty terms and conditions.

So hopefully that is the case.

John

[dds]

Finally been able to speak with Canon Italy.
I spoke by phone with an operator who told me that International warranty is 100%valid in Europe (Canon Europe recognizes it even if it is expressly mentioned ono the sheet: for USA and Canada).

It should be fine and should be worth buying USA version..... :wink:

On the other hand I would llike to find something written:

"VERBA VOLANT SCRIPTA MANENT"

Hope this helps.
DDS

[Tomsk]

I've also bought from B&H. Similar timescale to "York Tyke".

The "Approximately 25% VAT" charge comprises 6% import duty and 17.5% VAT, hence very close to 25%.

I also bought recently 100-400L from Fotoboom in Spain. Had to send funds by bank transfer. Worked out as a 2 day transaction. Total cost approximately £900.

This site might be useful for any Brits buying from abroad

http://www.directly2u.co.uk/customs.html

In summary, Duty rates are

Digital Cameras (NOT Camcorders) 1.2%, with VAT @ 17.5% = 18.91%
Film Cameras 4.2%, with VAT @ 17.5% = 22.435%
Lenses 6.7%, with VAT @ 17.5% = 25.3725%

[DarkEngine]

I have just bought 24-70mm f2.8 L USM and 70-200mm f2.8 IS L USM lenses, plus 550EX n other stuff from B&H, and on the parcel, with total value of $3,818, i was asked to write a cheque for £440.19 for my import tax n duty by the UPS man. But as a student, and not coming from within EU countries, I was told that the tax does not apply in my case, after fax over my passport copy n university letter, UPS completed c108 form on my behalf and i got my lenses the next day without paying an extra penny.

and now, my second parcel is on the way in, if u know anyone who's the same status as me, ask them to do u the favour, that way, u'll save hell lot of money, good luck in ur future investment :D

[Claire]

I'm considering asking a friend to buy me a Canon 300D in the US. I'm also wondering about the warranty. I live in Sweden, and according to my local photo store Canon has an international warranty, but if I buy a US one there won't be some Swedish warranty paper in the package, which apparently means Canon in Sweden won't prioritize my camera if I need it fixed. The ones bought in Sweden get first priority, so I might have to wait longer etc.

Anyone know anything about the warranty rules etc for Europe/Scandinavia/Sweden?

/Claire

[TomKa]

I've got my 300D from www.technikdirekt.de shipping to Italy. There is a european warranty, also with this reseller I never had problems the last twenty years :wink: