Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hey folks,

I'm looking on E-bay, and some of the cheapest prices for Canon gear (bodies, lenses) are from Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Is this gear just as good as the stuff we buy in North America?

Thanks.

Rick

One thing to know is that warranties don't always transfer from oversea or cross-border locations.

They may be brand new and great units, but the serial number will be for another country and the warranty won't apply here in Canada.

Just something to keep in mind...

Buy from power sellers if you're actually going to buy from ebay. Just be reminded that there is a certain amount of risk.. there have been positive and negative experiences from buying gear on ebay.

i know american canon service center recognizes non american warranty, as long as the date code is within an year and you go there in person, but i am not sure about canada.

dont you have to pay tax to custom if you buy something from oversea?

unless you are talking about 5D2 which is very cheap in taiwan comparing to canada(MRP $2600 included tax), so it's worth even after tax. however, there is a risk that they might send you an open box one.

If it's Nikon gear, you'll only get warranty in the country in which it was purchased. With Canon, if you buy it in the US, it's usually a North American warranty that will be accepted in Canada. Not sure about the Canon international warranties.

Watch out for fake Canon vertical/battery grips! There are a number of fakes out there! There was a big discussion on this on Dpreview a few weeks ago and the victim posted pics of the labels/stickers etc. Hard to clone a camera body though but you wouldn't be able to tell if it was refurbished and sold to you as new.

Camera gear is customs free, you will have to pay the PST/GST on it though and if they shipped via UPS ground, you'll get hit with "handling & brokerage" fees. Most times UPS Worldwide Expedited slips past without the "handling & brokerage" fees and FedEX Economy as well. Canada Post is best. You only get charged $5. for handling and the PST/GST but make sure you get a tracking number from your seller!

Tax is paid on all bought items coming in from overseas valued more than a certain level, I believe somewhere over $hundred something roughly. Can't tell for sure. I may be confusing it with something else though

It's taxable if the item is over $20 for non-gifts, and $60 for gifts.

For non-gifts, you get taxed for the entire value (e.g. if the item worths $100, the taxable amount is $100). For gifts, you get taxed for only the amount exceeding $60 (e.g. if the item worths $100, the taxable amount is $100-$60 = $40)

If duty and/or excise tax is incurred, they are also GST and PST taxable!

Everybody wants to get in on the action and get their cut. Bastards! lol

i personally wouldnt buy any lens or cameras from ebay asian stores.
generally,local reputable stores dont ship to oversea.

it's easier if you have friends or relatives who travel back and forth a lot between canada and those countries, so you can ask them to carry the gears to canada. i try it many times and never have trouble at custom.

Too bad mine are European

Maybe there should be a discussion thread of people who have family travelling overseas that are willing to bring back cameras/lenses. lol. It would help out people like me and potatoEYE.