Can I Use My Blendtec Blender in Other Countries?
The Blendtec Designer Series and Total Blender Classic are made for use only in the US and Canada. I have a good friend who purchased a Blendtec Total Blender Classic several months ago. He loves it and wanted to take it with him when he moved to England so that he could continue to enjoy perfectly blended green smoothies, nut butters, and milk shakes. He asked me if he'd have any problems using his blender in England. Unfortunately, like a lot of other appliances, blenders that are built for the US market won’t work in many other countries around the world, including England. This is primarily due to differences in the power transmission systems. Power systems used around the world can be lumped into two broad categories: 120-volt and 240-volt systems. In addition to the different voltages, countries often differ in power frequency (50–60 hertz, this usually doesn't affect our blenders) and the type of plugs needed for the wall socket (there are at least 13 different types of plugs used around the world!). 
The Blendtec HP3A is made for use in countries outside the US and Canada.[/caption] The motors that we use in our blenders are designed to operate at specific voltages. So, a blender built for the US market has a motor that operates correctly only when powered with 120 volts. A blender that will be used in England needs a motor that operates correctly at 240 volts, as well as a plug that fits into the electrical outlets in the country. Without replacing the motor and plug, a blender built for the US market will not function correctly in England. And, any changes made to adapt the blender to a different power transmission system will void the warranty. Various devices can convert voltage and electricity currents. For example, transformers can convert 240 volts to 120 volts and power inverters can convert 12-volt direct current (DC) to 120-volt alternating current (AC). Though these devices can be used safely with low-power appliances, the devices usually can't provide the power Blendtec blenders require or the waveforms necessary for our blender electronics to function correctly. We don't recommend using these devices with our blenders; doing so will void the warranty. 
We use ol' Bertha here to provide different voltages as we test various motors.[/caption] So, while my friend’s blender works great in the US, it won’t work for him in England. The good news is that we currently ship blenders to nearly 90 countries worldwide (including England), so he is covered. Wherever you are, we probably have a blender that will work in your location!
Hi Gunnar,
Thank you for sharing your experience. The reason for the higher prices in Europe is due to the additional costs for exporting. Extra costs, such as: taxes, shipping costs, duties, other government fees and regulations and the extra cost to convert our blenders from 120v to 240v all factor in to the price of blenders that our sold in Europe and other countries. Based on these factors, the dealer then sets the final price.
Thank you very much for this information, Paul.
As I am back and forth from the US and Europe, I’d like to understand if it is possible to purchase the Blendtec HP3A in the US for use also over in Europe.
I contacted the Blendtec office, and they told me that the Blendtec HP3A can only be purchased in Europe by a local distributor??
Since it costs almost double, I was hoping there might be a better way.
Any advice is much appreciated.
Thanks again!
How about the east of Japan? I checked that the voltage is 100v but operates at 50Hz there. Will it also function well there?
I live in the UK and make a ton of green juice every week (almost literally!). I would love to get a Blendtec to do this job but it leaves too sour a taste in my mouth to know that for £240 I could get a Blendtec Total with two containers in the U.S. whilst in the UK I have to spend min £520 for the same product. I know, I know shipping, taxes, converting the motors, etc. But I don’t believe this warrants the mark up… At present it just doesn’t make sense (unless one has a considerable disposable income) to invest. As I can see there are plenty of Europeans in my position – get cracking into the European market before Vitamix does first!
I would love to get your Designer Series Blendec (I need 220v). Are you planing to sell it anytime soon or is it better for me to buy Total Classic? I would also like to ask, whether you know any internet sites in Europe, where I could get your Blendec for the best price (dealers from Lithuania sell them for double price).
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