Warren D
Well-known member
Nikon will no longer provide international warranty - Nikon Rumors
Three weeks ago I already reported that Nikon is ending their international service warranty. The news is now also official in English: Notice regarding transition from international warranties for interchangeable lenses and accessories Thank you for choosing Nikon for your photographic needs...
nikonrumors.com
Looks like they are leaving it to their subsidiaries to determine terms and conditions. It's not much of a change but has the potential to make gray market products unservicable. Currently, you could send gear to Japan under the international warranty if your local subsidiary refused service. With some things, like the D5, D6, D850 and exotic lenses, only Nikon can provide service. Even the 70-200 EFL can't be serviced in the USA by Authorized Repair Centers, it has to go to Nikon USA. If Nikon USA refuses service under this, you now have an expensive paperweight.
While I understand the logic behind the decision; each country has it's own warranty regulations, it seems that it could make warranty repairs more difficult and expensive for us consumers. I always keep the Nikon USA Warranty cards that come with my gear. This makes it easier for me to sell if I decide to do so. I see this becoming more valuable in the future (at least in the USA) as if I'm buying used, I want to be sure it's USA gear. We've already seen that Nikon USA refuses to publish serial numbers for USA gear and refuses to answer inquiries. With older lenses it wasn't as important but modern lenses (and cameras) are mostly computers and component failures are no longer a matter of if but when.