Nikon USA Official Statement on Gray Market Products
What is "Gray Market"?
Generally, a manufacturer works with a single importer who can sell and
support their products in a given region. The importer usually has local
dealers and distributors who resell the imported products; this is called a
"distribution channel". Gray Market refers to merchandise that is imported
and sold by methods other than these normal channels.
For local safety regulations and certifications (FCC, CE, UL, etc.) and
government requirements a manufacturer provides special packaging (manuals
in the appropriate language, power cables designed for the local receptacle,
etc.) and product engineering designed to meet local codes. Manufacturers
also have service and support agreements with the authorized importer.
Gray Market items are not designed to be sold in a particular market and
cannot be supported by the authorized importer because they may not meet
mandatory safety and certification codes. Because these items are not
designed for a particular market they may not function properly, or the
authorized importer may not be equipped to provide service, support or
software.
With the opening of international borders and the use of the Internet to
sell goods, Gray Market equipment has become extremely common in the
photographic and consumer electronics markets. Many different types of
equipment are brought into North America for sale without the proper
documentation and US consumers do not always know what they are purchasing.
Because the resellers' cost is less they can sell Gray Market items for
less. Unfortunately this price savings is only on the initial purchase;
because service and support is more difficult to obtain it may end up
costing the consumer more in the long run.
Who is the authorized importer of Nikon Equipment into the USA?
Nikon Incorporated USA is the sole authorized importer of Nikon Corporation
of Japan for photographic devices. Nikon Inc. USA pays shipping into the
USA, import duties and taxes, and provides service, support and downloads
for these products. Nikon Inc. USA ensures that the products they import are
fully certified and safe for use in the USA market.
Nikon Inc. USA cannot provide service, support or downloads for products
that have not been imported by Nikon Inc. USA.
How do I know if my Nikon product is "Grey Market"?
If the deal was just too good to be true, it probably was. One of the first
indicators that a piece of Nikon merchandise might be Gray Market is if the
price is considerably less than most other resellers.
Additionally, a genuine Nikon Inc. USA product will include an Owners'
Manual and Warranty Registration card in English. It will also include power
cables (if applicable) designed for US style plugs. Any other language on
the printed material or wrong cables indicates a Gray Market item.
Another indication of a Gray Market product would be photocopied manuals or
manually created software CD's. Nikon Inc. USA always provides
professionally printed or duplicated materials with genuine products.
What does owning a "Grey Market" Nikon product mean to you?
Nikon Inc. USA cannot provide any technical support or warranty service on
Gray Market items. Additionally Nikon Inc. USA cannot perform any fee-based
repair work on Gray Market items. Please do not contact Nikon Inc. USA for
help with any Gray Market products. Please contact the reseller or importer
of your Gray Market items for warranty and service information as well as
software updates and downloads.
Does owning a "Grey Market" Nikon product mean I don't have a warranty?
No! All Nikon products come with a warranty by the manufacturer. The
designated Nikon service center will always repair "in warranty" Nikon
products and perform "out of warranty" repairs. If you own a Gray Market
product it will need to be returned to the reseller or importer for service.
Refer to your reseller or to the warranty cards included with the product
for service contact information.
Jeremy
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