Tigger1 Loc: Surrey, BC Canada

Bill I do not consider myself a specialist on USA Customs laws but can tell you that whenever I travelled into the USA from Canada (twice a week for fifteen years) I was very often asked at the border by US Customs officers if I was bringing with me cameras, printed material or any woodworking tools that I had NOT declared on my declaration form. As I often did carry such Items, before crossing into the USA I would stop at the Canadian Customs office, declare what I was taking into the USA (complete with proof of purchase in Canada) and obtain a Canadian Customs registration card stamped by the Canadian Customs Officer, which listed each item by name, brand and serial number. With this documentation in hand, I would then proceed to the US border and pass through US Customs and Immigration. The US Customs officer would verify each item listed on the Canadian Customs registration card against the proof of purchase documents and then I was allowed to enter the USA without payment of duties or taxes on those goods in my possession. Each time I entered the USA the Customs officer checking me and my goods referred to me as the importer of personal goods.
Since I retired from working full time four years ago I have not had the opportunity to enter the USA so I cannot guarantee that the regulations remain the same today as they were in 2013. Just for the record, the process remainded the same for me when I returned from the USA back in to Canada, only on the return trip home it was a Canadian Customs and Immigration officer wanting to know what I was importing into Canada. At which point I again presented all my documentation and was allowed to enter Canada without payment of duties or taxes. However, with the current NAFTA negotiations between Canada and USA in full negotiation mode, I cannot say with certainty that what I use to experience is still in force or if new regulations are in place.
Best advice I can give is that before bringing any article back into the USA that exceeds your personal exemption (I think currently $800.00) it would be prudent to verify with USA Customs what is expected of you.
So, to conclude, while the issue referenced in Jerry's original post certainly in view of what I have experienced at the USA border would strongly suggest that USA Customs considers any person or company bringing any goods into the USA is an importer for purposes of collecting US duties and taxes as dictated by the US Customs and Immigration regulations.

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

No, you do not understand.

Nikon USA buys it products from Nikon in Japan - the price that they pay is for the product only. The costs of advertising, warehousing, warranty repairs, etc. are not included.

The cost of facilities, technicians, equipment, spare parts and the myriad other expenses associated with those repairs is borne by Nikon USA. The cost per unit for those expenses is approximated and added to the cost of the original cost of the product; the total cost is marked-up to make a profit. That is the price that you would pay when you purchased your new Nikon from an authorized seller.

Why would Nikon USA spend their money to repair a product that they didn't sell and didn't profit from? Would you make good on goods or services that you never had anything to do with?

I might suggest to Nikon that they do repair gray market goods under the following condition: To the normal cost of repair, add the amount that is marked up for repair and profit for USA sold items. Would that make you happy?

Yorkster Loc: North Yorkshire UK

I posted in another topic my experience of grey market purchases in the UK. I bought my D7100 from HDEW Cameras who include their own 3 year warranty. 2 years in and my autofocus system malfunctioned. Emailed them and had authorisation almost immediately to send it to their preferred Nikon authorised repair centre. Camera returned fully refurbished, sensor cleaned, latest software updates and it feels like a new camera. All at zero cost to me other than posting it to them.

You pays your money you takes your choice. Not all grey import companies are the devil's spawn.

As ever YMMV.

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

All my Canon gear is purchased in UK. I live in Spain and get repairs and service done at a Canon service centre in Barcelona, Spain. I have never had a query about where it was purchased. As a Canon CPS Gold Member I get a 3 day turnaround or a loaner. Some stuff was purchased new or used at Canon UK dealers others were purchased from Amazon UK. It seems Nikon's business model is rather different.

Grace98 Loc: Waterlooville, Hampshire - United Kingdom

Actually Jerry, I was a bit mistaken. Amazon UK are listed as "authorised online sellers" but you really have to be careful. As I mentioned in a previous post,
when I wanted to buy a Nikon zoom, it was much cheaper at Amazon. The seller seemed to be in the UK but when I checked thoroughly,
it appeared that the actual seller was based in New York. I have about 6 approved Nikon Distributors within a 5-mile radious of my home,so I prefer to physically visit the shops and try out the equipment. Having said that I do buy various accessories from Amazon. Grace

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

Yes, true Nikon will NOT repair ANY grey market camera, even for a fee. Also, they will not even supply parts to an independent repair tech in the USA. No support, ZIPPO, for grey market products. They are looking to protect their USA distribution channels from grey market competition/ dumping.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

They are trying to protect their USA distribution channels by STRONGLY discouraging grey market products - it has nothing to do with whether or not they made money on the original product - the repair service itself could be a major profit center for grey market products if they opened it up - many would pay premium (time, materials, ++). It is a matter of policy more than anything else IMO.

Consider this - all the cameras are made by Nikon in Japan (at least for $$$/yen flow)....so why can't a grey market Nikon be repaired in Japan? Some Nikon entity should support their own products!

Gregger Loc: Phoenix area

How does one know when they have received a grey market since even BH and Adaoama (sp) often sell them. What do I look for. They have a Coolpix B700 I might buy and it says manufactured in Japan in listing. Is this grey market?

chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

It will usually mention "Imported" in their catalog, meaning B&H/ Adorama imported the product rather than buying it "domestically" from Nikon USA.

The other tip off is when the say "USA warranty by seller" or "Seller USA Warranty". Usually for a new product, if the price is significantly below what the market "average" is then that is another red flag.

Wherever you get the product from I think it's best to ask if not sure. Places like 42nd St Photo, 6th Ave, Red Tag Camera and their ilk usually sell gray market on eBay.

rafikiphoto Loc: Spain

Nikon USA sounds more like a franchise than an integral part of Nikon Co Jp.

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

Morrison 1116

I will repeat. The cost of the product does not include technicians, spare parts, equipment, buildings, etc. Those are bought and paid for out of the mark up on the product.

My knowledge is not from 'superior intellect', it is from more than a decade employed by what was once the largest supplier of consumer electronics in the U.S.. With management roles in quality control, engineering and product service and then as the manager/purchasing agent responsible for assuring that spare parts required for repairs were available. That position put me square in the middle of this situation.

The purpose of my response was to create an understanding by you that Nikon USA does not rip off the consumer, but like every other seller of product, passing on legitimate costs.

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

I have no argument here - in fact my last sentence in my previous post states very much the same opinion.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Yes. And more and more manufacturers are learning that without satisfied customers, the profits gradually vaporize. No customers, no revenue. No revenue, no profit.

Gregger Loc: Phoenix area

The one I am looking at has Manufactured in Japan. So I am assuming this is not grey market. Am I correct?