Lots of folks ask this question, So I've included a direct quotation from the Canon online Store. You can read it and decide what it means to you, the Cameras I've bought always had low actuations, and lenses were excellent with no scratches or marks.
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/shopping-buying#rfp
"Refurbished Products
Products are returned to Canon for a variety of reasons, including overstock balancing, miscellaneous returns from retailers, suspected mis-operation, and minor damage to the box.
Products that are refurbished must pass a comprehensive quality assurance inspection before final packaging and shipment. Rigorous function and cosmetic inspections are performed by trained Canon technicians so that each refurbished product meets operational specifications and strict cosmetic standards that we have established. "
http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/shopping-buying#rfp
"Refurbished Products
Products are returned to Canon for a variety of reasons, including overstock balancing, miscellaneous returns from retailers, suspected mis-operation, and minor damage to the box.
Products that are refurbished must pass a comprehensive quality assurance inspection before final packaging and shipment. Rigorous function and cosmetic inspections are performed by trained Canon technicians so that each refurbished product meets operational specifications and strict cosmetic standards that we have established. "