It May Be Illegal to Use the Canon 600EX-RT in Some Countries

As noted in Canon’s documentation for the 600EX-RT Speedlite, only certain countries have approved the flash and the accompanying ST-E3-RT transmitter for lawful use under radio wave regulations.

In the US, the FCC governs the use of products that operate on radio waves, and the EX-600RT and ST-E3-RT have been approved for use by the FCC. Before heading outside of the US with your new Speedlite, you might want to check the list below to make sure that you are allowed to use it where you are headed.

I’m not sure if the EX-600RT Speedlite and other radio devices are something that customs checks as you enter or not . . . but I would sure hate to have a $600 flash confiscated because I missed this fine print.

Does anyone have a story to share of radio transmitters or receivers on photo gear being confiscated or otherwise scrutinized when entering other countries? (Beyond the normal empty-your-camera-bag routine that I seem get every time I go through security at an airport…)

[via Syl Arena]

Other countries that currently permit the Canon EX-600RT to be used include the following:

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Canada
• Cayman Islands
• China
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Guatemala
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• India
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Latvia
• Lebanon
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Macao
• Malta
• The Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Panama
• Peru
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Russia
• Saudi Arabia
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Turkey
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vietnam