The warranty, is not voided because the relevant tax is not paid.

If you import a Nikon/Canon camera from the USA for example, you cannot register your camera with Nikon/Canon UK and they will not repair the camera under warranty in the UK.

You register the camera with Nikon/Canon USA; repairs covered by warranty will be fixed. However, you have to send the camera to Nikon/Canon USA, for the repairs to be carried out. This is because digital cameras are classified as electronic products.

Lenses are different and can be imported and registered in the in the UK where they will be repaired under warranty within the UK, though only for a period of one year. Something to keep in mind; especially with Sigma EX lenses in the UK they come with three year warranties, an imported Sigma Ex lens will only have a one year warranty.

Brian

That's interesting - I wonder though if the laws/rules are different for Ireland?

xx

A couple of things I would like to add to this.

1. When I travel to the States or Hong Kong or Europe I find that prices are generally the same as they are in the UK on most (pro or semi pro) items. Only the items that are made in that country are generally cheaper, and in the US they generally make the budget Canon kit, the expensive stuff mainly comes from Japan or the far east and costs around the same, I say around, you might save £50 per £1000 spent here or there, but it's not worth it.

2. Worldwide guarantee, what a joke, just try and claim on a worldwide guarantee in the UK if you purchased it outside the UK.

3. Our rights as a customer in the UK far exceed what you get in just about any country, especially in the first 12 months. Remember, any electrical item you buy, should last (according to Trading Standards) up to 6 years, and if it doesn't, while you may not get a free replacement, after some negotiating with Trading Standards and the Supplier/Manufacturer you will be amazed what you can get.

4. Returns, bought something in the US and want to send it back for repair/refund? Again, good luck. Not saying you won't succeed, but by the time you have organised it, paid all that postage etc you will probably either be out of pocket or will have broken even with the UK price.

I generally don't buy anything now that is over around £300 from abroad, mainly for the reasons stated above. If I travelled to say the US 4 or 5 times a year, and knew I could return something fairly easily then I might, but I only go once or twice a year, and so it's a big risk.

Would I have bought my 5DMk11 there, no, too much money to tie up on the back of some 'ifs' and 'buts' with the so called Worldwide warranty or 'any Canon dealer will exchange it for you' malarky.

Alan.

So in fact we really are not getting ripped off?

Do you think this is a rip off:

What I would LOVE to see is profit per unit for each country - we would then know for sure which countries get shafted.

So, in effect, does this mean that in the UK you have a sort of limited warranty (maybe guarantee is a better term) for up to 6 years on electronic equipment? Interesting...

Here (as far as I am experienced with), if you want an extended warranty beyond the manufacturer's warranty you typically have to buy that coverage from the retailer (which, in my opinion, is generally not worth the cost).

If you did purchase that camera would you have to pay import tax?

David,

I would have to disagree Last year I was having problems with my Dell computer, which was just shy of four years old, and was receiving help from Dell and BT technical support. I had to keep moving my tower to follow their instructions and in the process the plastic casing on one side of my computer got broke, after the initial problem was rectified, I asked Dell for a replacement case under the extended and accidental damage cover plan that I had taken out with them.

They were unable to supply a replacement case, as they no longer made them. I received a new tower instead with a higher spec than the one I had, with a one year guarantee and four year accidental damage cover, when I added what all this would cost me if I had purchased the tower myself, it added up to £900.

Jessop’s cover plan is good and worth the money. In addition, Nikon UK are also doing and extended cover plan for a period of three years, which covers accidental damage, and theft for £125 for a Nikon D300.

Brian