Don’t settle for less
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.
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 try to tamper with the grey goods by adding, changing or removing accessories, manuals and warranties compromising your Canon experience. Some online retailers claim to be based in your region when they are not - so it pays to be aware.
Extra import duties or customs charges – these may be imposed on top of the quoted grey goods’ price.
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.
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. 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.
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.
Poor quality manuals – no manual in your language or unreadable photocopies are often supplied by “grey” retailers.
No cashback/promotions – you will not be eligible to claim the benefit of a cashback (if offered) or benefit from other Canon promotions in your region.
You can avoid all of these problems by purchasing products, intended by Canon for your region, from reputable retailers in your region. These products are specifically configured, come with full support and approved accessories that only Canon can provide – so you can get the full Canon experience and maximum enjoyment from your purchase.
General guidelines on how to identify if Canon products are grey goods
In addition to the Serial Number verification tool available on this page, the following identification marks and language features may help you further identify if a product is grey:
Compact Digital Cameras – IXUS and PowerShot
If one of these features is missing, the product may be grey:
the product box should display English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Russian languages;
A Canon warranty appropriate for your region should be provided; and the product should be called IXUS or PowerShot. Canon products can have different names in different markets and cameras named IXY or Digital ELPH are intended by Canon for different regions.
Consumer camcorders
If one of these features is missing, the product may be a grey good:
the product box should display English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Russian languages;
the PAL logo should be displayed on the product box. PAL is the video format for Europe while NTSC is primarily for the US market;
the product should be called Legria. Products can have different names in different regions. For example, consumer camcorders named VIXIA are not intended for your region
DSLR and Mirrorless Products
If one of these features is missing, the product may be grey good:
the product box should display English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Russian languages;
the product should be called EOS. DSLR and Mirrorless cameras named Kiss or Rebel are intended for other regions.
A Canon warranty appropriate for your region should be provided. For EOS R, the box should contain a Product Serial Number Card with the product serial number printed on it.
The serial number on the product, box and card should match.
Check the serial number
Please note that this query service is limited to compact digital cameras, DSLR and Mirrorless cameras, Lenses and consumer camcorders. If you want to check the serial number of a lens that was sold as part of a kit, the model name of the body of the kit needs to be selected from the model list below. 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.
