When shopping for your Canon lenses, you will likely run into 2 versions of the same lens. One will be the "USA" model and the other will be denoted as "Gray/Grey Market", "Imported" or "Direct Import".
What is the difference?
The "USA" Canon lenses are imported to the US by Canon USA. "USA" Canon lenses' warranties are supported by any Canon service facility worldwide. They are also eligible for Canon lens rebates
- these rebates usually require the USA warranty card found in the Canon USA lens box.
The "Gray/Grey Market", "Imported" or "Direct Import" Canon lenses are imported by the retailer or their import agent. They are not covered by the manufacturer's warranty. At least they "say" they are not covered. Word on the street is that Canon covers gray market lenses under their standard warranty if an invoice from an authorized dealer can be produced.
Most reputable retailers will provide their own same-as-manufacturer's warranty on "Gray/Grey Market", "Imported" or "Direct Import" Canon lenses. Instead of sending the lens to Canon, you send it to the retailer.
What physical difference is there between USA and Gray Market Canon Lenses?
Usually none - in fact, I haven't found any differences yet. These Canon lenses are made in same factory using the same parts and are identical in the finished product form. Reputable retailers will make any differences clear.
There historically have been more differences between "USA" and "Gray/Grey Market", "Imported" or "Direct Import" cameras and accessories. In fact, gray market Canon cameras usually have different names or model numbers. I remember a certain gray market Canon flash that had distances in meters (I am aware of no differences in the current gray market version of the 420EX and 550EX flashes).
The attractive difference in a Gray Market Canon lens is price. The imported version is nearly always cheaper - even (usually) with the rebates offered on the USA versions.
So which should you buy? I'll let that decision up to you, but will say that I have far more than one copy of the "Gray/Grey Market", "Imported" or "Direct Import" Canon lenses.
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Canon-Lenses/
