A reader posted in the forum the other day on how a point and shoot Canon camera he ordered online got impounded at customs. DHL weren’t able to release the item for him so he had to go clear it himself and after 2 and half hours of running around he was finally able to do so.
So I checked on this and it turns out right now the Canon and Sigma dealers have raised an issue with customs and are demanding that only they are allowed to import their brands. I am not sure if they’ve done this to stop shops like AAB Photo from taking away from their sales (and individuals are being caught in the crossfire) or if they’re actually trying to stop everyone and anyone from purchasing their brands online. Hopefully we’re not the targets and this is just a temporary measure but in any case if you’re planning to order Canon or Sigma products over the internet you should either put your plans on hold until the situation settles down or be prepared to clear the item yourself.
41 replies on “Planning to order Canon or Sigma products online? Read this.”
Hi Mark, I’m the guy who had to spend 2.5 hrs trying to get the camera out of customs. I got lucky in that the department manager was in a good mood and knew the DHL representative who was with me. Otherwise the camera would have not been allowed into Kuwait. So the worst case scenario is not just clearing the item yourself, its not actually getting the camera at all.
As for the local Canon dealer, they will just lose customers to different brands. When buying my Canon, I was on the fence between it and a Sony. Had I known that Canon was going to cause a hassle, I would have just bought the Sony. Not too smart Mr. Canon Agent. We won’t pay your crazy markups, EVER!
They can’t do that, I mean the commercial law in Kuwait would not allow it by request, since canon, sigma, sony, samsung…etc are all foreign brands, they can obtain exclusivity only by paying certain amount of tax to the government this huge tax will allow customs to confiscate anything that is not brought directly by the supplier (official brand representative himself)UNLESS they get a written approval from the supplier… al sayer auto did that for some time, samsung does that for TVs, not sure if other products as well.
Canon dealer in Kuwait is CRAP! they honestly don’t care if they sell or not! I remember talking to them about the 7D and they couldn’t care less!
And that is illegal as per the WTO contracts they signed! Its ridiculous, they are only making customs make it more difficult for people to bring it in!
2nd paragraph of yours: You took the words right outta my mouth! It’s now no secret that most of the business houses in Kuwait do not know the first page from the last of the WTO agreement signed by Kuwait!
I was facing an issue with the autofocus on my 50mm. Still under warranty, so I gave it to the service center, behind Avenues. Its been almost 20days now. I keep calling and asking and they keep saying that the part has been ordered from Dubai, if its not available there, then it will come from Amsterdam (I thought canon= Japan).
I wonder if the issue is related.
guys it is simple, My canon DS1 mark II battery in the local dealer is selling for 150 KD and not in stock, I got it online few months ago for 27 $ the prices is way to high with the dealer that is because no one else can get them in, now the internet is challenging the greediness of such dealers. This is monopoly at it’s best
Hey guys
I ordered my canon 550d and canon 50mm f1.8 fm digital rev.com on Sunday Apr 8 and received it from FedEx today Apr 12. I guess i just got lucky. I’ll try to find out more about the exclusive import regulation and reply next week.
Hey,
I also wanted to order a canon 550D from Digialrev, can you tell me pls. how much did you payed for the camera and how much did they charged you with the customs and delivery. Thanks
Haha that’s Kuwait for you. Local dealers always trying to sell you overpriced goods. And customs actually preventing the import of these goods is a joke.
What a crappy way of doing business, short term solution for a long term problem. It would be better if they focused on finding out why they are losing customers and finding ways of rectifying that.
I hope they fail.. stupid way of doing business..
Bad news ! I have been planning to get a Canon 17-55mm f/2.8….hope sanity prevails and things get back to normal.
Thanks Mark.
I wanted to import Canon EOS 5D Mark iii instead of Nikon D800.
But I will now settle for Nikon D 800.
for every 1 that gets stopped , 10 will get through .
Not really, all they do is look at the manifest. They don’t actually open and inspect each package. So its quite easy for them to spot and find Canon items. I just hope this is not the beginning of an ugly new trend where all agents start doing the same crap.
Bloody hell!
I was just about to order a zoom 200mm lens for myself! Its actually in my Amazon cart! It is not available in Kuwait and if it is I doubt it would sell for 260 USD online. I actually found it being sold for 180 KD!!! from 80 KD to 180 KD!
My favorite lens cost 50 dollars on AMazon and 50 KD in Canon dealers in Kuwait! THey didn’t even have it in stock! Now why would I buy a 15 KD lens for 50 KD ballah just because they are the dealers? For that price I can buy THREE lenses and keep it as spares!
Guess what CANON DEALERS… do whatever you want to do. You will NOT make me buy from you. I can wait to go to Dubai or London to buy my lenses.
Danderma pass by us , we can arrange all the canon lenses you need at very affordable prices 🙂
Yabeela boycott huh? 😉
the canon dealer in kuwait sucks big time. insane markups. even the people working in the shop know it.
I’ve never bought anything from Canon dealer here in Kuwait, their prices are ridiculously high! I buy my photography equipment either online or when I travel.
I heard about this from a friend, I didn’t believe it until I read this! please, do keep us updated.
Boycott Kuwait!
Typical from Alsayer. They do the same with Toyota and Lexus, if imported, it’s not going to be serviced in their garages. Now this monopoly has moved to the Cameras, sux!
book a ticket to dubai + buy your stuff + come back to Kuwait + Go back to dubai for any maintenance < Kuwait dealer price
🙂
@Abo Exactly! That is exactly what I do now – I no longer buy in Kuwait.
you are awesome!
I might actually do this if i need to buy cannon. pay less and have a nice 7-hour vacation 😀
WHAT !! i ordered a canon 7D and its on the way but with ARAMEX does they have the same problem ?
Hi Ahmed,
I am thinking of getting a 70-200mm Canon Lens from DigitalRev. Let us know if you faced any issues in your camera.
Cheers,
No worries i got it i think the problem was with DHL im ARAMEX customer so go on and order it YAAAY !
Mark, you mentioned about the digitalrev online stores offering local warranty, so if I will buy some canon gear from them will I be able to get a local warranty in Kuwait?? Or will Al sayer will make any issue?? And please let us know when this customs issue gets sorted out. Thanks
I’m telling on them 😉
I’ll try to send this to cannon and see what they think about all this. it can’t hurt.
why doesn’t anyone read what’s written?
https://www.digitalrev.com/help/worldwide-local-warranty/NDMzNTc5MQ_A_A
Worldwide Local Warranty
Simply send your product to a local authorised service centre to obtain a repair estimate. Send the estimate to us for approval (we check if the repairs being carried out matches the problems described, and also make sure it is covered by the warranty terms and conditions, e.g. accidental damage is not covered).
Once approved, your product will be serviced and repaired with all the costs paid by us.
What.. Mark?
In my previous reply, I wrote that I would try to contact canon’s HQ and inform them about the ridiculous prices their distributors are charging here in kuwait. (and I did too.)
I don’t understand what your reply has to do with warranty, Mark.
Thanks for replying though, Mark. I feel loved.
XOXO
sorry my reply was for Allwyn, must have clicked reply under your comment.
why don’t they simply make their prices more realistic?:) we’d like to buy locally..
Dear Mark,
Thank you, please let me know when this customs issue gets sorted out, coz i was about to order from digital rev some Canon 60D and few lenses, and after i saw what you have mentioned i am just holding my order till all is sorted out.
You can import anything to kuwait the problem is with DHL, ive had a book delayed for 2 months because they dont know hw to deal with the customs- use UPS next time
do any of you guy’s Know where to get that polariod instant camera.
Hey mark , Just heard about your article from a client today and thought ill drop a message, well luckily we are not facing any issues with importing our goods , Canon or any other brands , So nothing to worry about , You still can get your canon gear in Kuwait with affordable prices and good service support 🙂
No, your prices are still about 25% higher than in Dubai, I think all dealers in Kuwait are the same
Can you please specify which product you are comparing please so i can give you the exact details.
yes correct..!!