Importing hardware across the big pond

Thirith

Has anyone here got experience with hardware imports (components, periphery, even consoles) from the US to Europe (or the other way around, for some weird exchange rate-related reason)? How did you do it? What worked out okay, what didn't? Was it worth it? And are there any good importers/exporters?

I'm mainly asking because I'm thinking of getting a PS3, and since I'm a film geek who gets off on the Criterion Collection, I'd want it to be a US model so I'd be able to play US-only Blurays on it. Games seem to be region-free and a fair number of mainstream movies (at least from certain studios) also don't seem to be region-coded. But so far I've been singularly unable to find any importers in Europe who would actually import PS3s rather than just games. (Perhaps I'm using the wrong search terms, of course.)

But I'm also generally interested in your experiences in importing hardware. Good, bad, ugly - let me have it!

Robman

You're going to have a hell of a time finding a reputable store that will ship a PS3 internationally. You're going to spend probably hundreds of pounds on import duties, taxes, shipping, and insurance.

And hope to god that Customs doesn't open your package on either end.

Thirith

Robman wrote: »

You're going to have a hell of a time finding a reputable store that will ship a PS3 internationally. You're going to spend probably hundreds of pounds on import duties, taxes, shipping, and insurance.

And hope to god that Customs doesn't open your package on either end.

Why's that? (Not a rhetorical question: I'm really curious as to why there'd be such severe restrictions on importing a PS3.)

Robman

It's the law.

Your best bet is probably ebay (ugh), just brace for dissapointment. International shipping is always risky. Get the insurance, and don't deal with a private seller.

Thirith

Robman wrote: »

It's the law.

So if I went ahead and paid taxes, insurance, billing, chances are I'd pay considerably more than I would for a European PS3 without the ability to play US Blurays?

Robman

Look on ebay, research all the fees (including the fee's you are responsible for on your end) and compare the costs to walking down the street and buying one.

I mean are there really so many movies/games that aren't out in Europe on blu-ray that this is worth it?

Thirith

All of the Criterion Collection. For a film geek, that pretty much makes it worth getting a machine that can play US Blurays.

LewieP

The trick is to get someone you know who is actually going to the USA to get it for you.

Then open it and discard the packaging before they get to the airport, so that they are not liable for any tax/customs.

Thirith

LewieP wrote: »

The trick is to get someone you know who is actually going to the USA to get it for you.

Then open it and discard the packaging before they get to the airport, so that they are not liable for any tax/customs.

For a second there I thought that this might be tough... then I remembered that my current boss is from the US and I think she goes over there relatively regularly. Perhaps I should start doing exceptional work.

Velmeran

yea, just moving back from China and bringing my computer parts and Wii back was simple, no one even wanted to look in my bags.

Ziggymon

Ok first thing you need to know, You don't need specifically a USA PS3, a Japanese or HK model will also run A region Blu Ray movies.

Does this Blu-Ray Criterion collection have a specific publisher? because some studios have all their Blu Ray movies region free such as Warner Bros and most of the Sony published.

The best bet is to look at a Japanese model or a HK model right now, a good site is

videogameimports.com (they don't have any PS3 consoles in stock at the moment but if you ask im sure they can get you a price).

Thirith

Ziggymon wrote: »

Ok first thing you need to know, You don't need specifically a USA PS3, a Japanese or HK model will also run A region Blu Ray movies.

Does this Blu-Ray Criterion collection have a specific publisher? because some studios have all their Blu Ray movies region free such as Warner Bros and most of the Sony published.

The best bet is to look at a Japanese model or a HK model right now, a good site is

videogameimports.com (they don't have any PS3 consoles in stock at the moment but if you ask im sure they can get you a price).

Cool, thanks for the info. I'll check out videogameimports.com. Might be the better version than trying to convince my boss that she wants to bring back a PS3 for me next time she goes home for the holidays. :P

The thing about Criterion is, they only get the rights for the US market, hence they're region A. You might get different versions of the same films on European disks, but Criterion is famous for making most of their disks a veritable masterclass on cinema. If you're into film criticism or studies or simply passionate about film, they simply do the best versions (technically as well as content-wise) of classics.