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". Grey Market refers to merchandise that is imported and sold by methods other than these normal channels.
For local safety regulations and certifications 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.
Grey 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, Grey Market equipment has become extremely common in the photographic and consumer electronics markets. Many different types of equipment are brought into the country for sale without the proper documentation and many consumers do not always know what they are purchasing.
Because the resellers' cost is less they can sell Grey 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
How do I know if my Nikon product is "Grey Market"?
If the deal is just too good to be true, it probably is. One of the first indicators that a piece of Nikon merchandise might be Grey Market is if the price is considerably less than most other resellers.
Additionally, a genuine Nikon product will include an Owners' Manual and Warranty Registration card in English. It will also include power cables (if applicable). Any other language (example Japanese language) on the printed material or wrong cables indicates a Grey Market item.
Another indication of a Grey Market product would be photocopied manuals or manually created software CD's. Authorised distributors in a country always provides professionally printed or duplicated materials with genuine products.
What does owning a "Grey Market" Nikon product mean to you?
Nikon Authorised Distributor in a country cannot provide any technical support or warranty service on Grey Market items. Additionally they cannot perform any fee-based repair work on Grey Market items. Please do not contact any Nikon Authorised Distributors for help with any Grey Market products. Please contact the reseller or importer of your Grey 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 Grey 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.
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