importing psp to the USA

mjolnir · #1 (**permalink**) 10-14-2005, 12:22 AM

Im thinking about importing a psp to the USA right now. I was wondering if anyone has had any experince with this process. Im looking at buying from either yesasia.com or lik-sang.com. Are there any import taxes imposed and if so how much are they? I appericate any assitance in this.

Alpha · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2005, 02:10 PM

No taxes.

You do know that you won't be able to play Region 1 UMD movies right? I went to Hong Kong and bought a PSP for a nice price and I have no complaints seeing that I dislike the idea of watching a movie on such a small screen anyways.

But how much are you actually saving? I mean, if you buy it at a local electronics shop it is $249.99. And probably if you get a service plan that they offer it'll be a little more. At least you know that if it screws up, you're covered. If you import one. You're on your own, if there are dead pixels and whatever. I believe the warranty is regional, not international.

mjolnir · #3 (**permalink**) 10-16-2005, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpha

No taxes.

You do know that you won't be able to play Region 1 UMD movies right? I went to Hong Kong and bought a PSP for a nice price and I have no complaints seeing that I dislike the idea of watching a movie on such a small screen anyways.

But how much are you actually saving? I mean, if you buy it at a local electronics shop it is $249.99. And probably if you get a service plan that they offer it'll be a little more. At least you know that if it screws up, you're covered. If you import one. You're on your own, if there are dead pixels and whatever. I believe the warranty is regional, not international.

Im not looking to buy the black psp, that would be just dumb. The cost of importing a black psp would overrun any savings that would have existsed. The reason im looking to import is because i want a white psp. As far as i know this is a japanese exclusive product and sony has no plans of making it available in the US.

Playing UMD movies is no big concern for me. The prices for them right now are outrageous. Id rather just buy a 1gig memory stick duo and convert dvds to mp4 and play em that way.

Alpha · #4 (**permalink**) 10-16-2005, 11:55 PM

I really doubt that to be the truth. If Sony wants to make money, they are not going to do any "exclusives" for regions. Look at Nintendo DS. Japan has all sorts of colors available and while U.S. only has two colors availabe now, two more are coming. And when that happens, I'm sure the rest of the colors will follow suit.

mjolnir · #5 (**permalink**) 10-17-2005, 01:46 AM

Well at this moment it is exclusive to japan. There are also no reports that is going to be coming to the States. So as far as im concerned its exclusive. There are other examples of products that never reach the states because they dont think they are marketable. Like this one http://psp.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3144655 a per-order gift for My My Katamari. Though this product is not from sony it just show an example of some of the cool stuff that we dont get in the states but the japanese do. There are also games that we dont get over here that they do.

Alpha · #6 (**permalink**) 10-18-2005, 06:30 PM

Blame the marketing department for that. But the white PSP just isn't going to be an exclusive. The PS3 comes in three colors, you think they'll only bring the black one to the States?

If you want it that bad, I'm not stopping you. But I guarantee you that a month or two after you get it, the plan to release the white PSP will emerge.

kwick7 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-21-2005, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjolnir

Im not looking to buy the black psp, that would be just dumb. The cost of importing a black psp would overrun any savings that would have existsed. The reason im looking to import is because i want a white psp. As far as i know this is a japanese exclusive product and sony has no plans of making it available in the US.

Playing UMD movies is no big concern for me. The prices for them right now are outrageous. Id rather just buy a 1gig memory stick duo and convert dvds to mp4 and play em that way.

I am in a similar boat as you. I REALLY, REALLY want a white psp- I cannot resist its sexiness. I will not buy a black PSP and I am in no hury to buy one. I really hope it comes to the U.S. sooner rather than later (which I think it will, it's just a matter of time- I hope for the holidays). I will not import, though, as I want a warranty with it and I fear dead pixels and what not. UMD movies are no big concern of mine, but it would be nice to buy some of them- certain movies I do not buying multiple times.