Import Gaming Guides
Everything you need to know about buying games from Japan and Asia
Import Game Duty and Tax Rates by Country: 2025 Reference
A country-by-country reference table for import duties, VAT/GST rates, and de minimis thresholds on video games. Updated for 2025.
Read guide →How to Play a Japanese PS5 Game on a UK Console: Step-by-Step
A step-by-step guide to playing a Japanese PS5 game on a UK PS5: what works out of the box, how to set up a Japanese PSN account for DLC, and what to watch out for.
Read guide →Cheapest Way to Buy Japanese Games Online
The best strategies for buying Japanese import games at the lowest price: timing purchases, pre-owned vs new, AS editions, sale cycles, and how to compare retailers.
Read guide →Best Anime Games to Import from Japan in 2025
The best anime games to import from Japan in 2025: Japan-exclusive tie-ins, superior physical editions, and Asian English versions with full language support.
Read guide →Best PS Vita Games to Import from Japan
The PS Vita has a rich Japanese exclusive library — visual novels, JRPGs, rhythm games — much of which never left Japan. A guide to what's worth importing and how to play it.
Read guide →Best Japanese Exclusive PS4 Games Worth Importing
The PS4 library has hundreds of Japan-exclusive titles. Here's which categories are most worth importing, how to find English-playable editions, and where to buy them.
Read guide →Play-Asia vs CDJapan vs Nin-Nin Game: Import Stores Compared
A side-by-side comparison of the three main English-language import game retailers: Play-Asia, CDJapan, and Nin-Nin Game. Which store wins for your purchase?
Read guide →How to Import Games from Japan to the UK
A complete guide to importing games from Japan to the UK: post-Brexit VAT rules, customs thresholds, shipping times, and how to minimise your total cost as a UK buyer.
Read guide →What Nintendo Switch Games Are Japan-Exclusive?
Some of the best Switch games never left Japan. Here's what Japan-exclusive Switch titles look like, which categories to focus on, and how to find and buy them.
Read guide →How to Import Games from Japan to the USA
A complete guide to importing games from Japan to the USA: customs rules, duties, shipping options, and why American buyers have the best import conditions of any country.
Read guide →Region-Free PS5 Games Worth Importing from Japan
PS5 is fully region-free. Here are the types of Japanese PS5 games most worth importing: Japan-exclusives, Asian English editions, and superior physical releases.
Read guide →What Is SAL Shipping on Play-Asia? Speed, Tracking & When to Use It
SAL shipping is the cheapest option on Play-Asia — but what does it mean, how slow is it really, and when should you choose it over standard airmail?
Read guide →Best PS5 JRPGs to Import from Japan in 2025
The best PS5 JRPGs to import from Japan: Japan-first releases, superior physical editions, and Asian English versions with full language support. Updated for 2025.
Read guide →CDJapan vs Play-Asia: Which Is Better for Buying Import Games?
CDJapan vs Play-Asia compared: selection, prices, shipping, and which retailer wins for different types of import game buyers. A practical side-by-side.
Read guide →Is It Legal to Import Video Games from Japan?
Yes — importing video games for personal use is legal in virtually every country. Here's what the law actually says, what you do owe, and what to watch out for.
Read guide →What Does NTSC-J Mean? Japanese Game Encoding Explained
NTSC-J is the Japanese analogue video standard. For modern games with HDMI, it has no practical effect. Here's what it means, when it mattered, and what to check when importing.
Read guide →How to Import Games from Japan to Australia: Costs, Customs & Tips
A complete guide to importing games from Japan to Australia: GST rules, shipping times, customs thresholds, and tips for getting the best deal as an Australian buyer.
Read guide →Best Nintendo Switch Games to Import from Japan in 2025
The best Nintendo Switch games to import from Japan: Japan-exclusive titles, Asian English editions, and superior physical releases. Updated for 2025.
Read guide →Is Play-Asia Legit and Safe to Buy From?
Is Play-Asia a legitimate and trustworthy retailer? We cover their track record, buyer protections, shipping reliability, and what to watch out for before you order.
Read guide →Are Japanese PS5 Games Region Locked? Complete 2025 Guide
Japanese PS5 games are NOT region locked — any PS5 disc plays on any PS5 worldwide. But there are important caveats about DLC, language, and trophies you need to know.
Read guide →How to Avoid Customs Fees When Importing Games
Practical strategies for reducing or avoiding customs fees on imported games. Understand de minimis thresholds, VAT rules, and legitimate ways to minimise your total cost.
Read guide →How Much Does It Cost to Import Games from Japan?
A complete cost breakdown for importing games from Japan: game price, shipping, customs duties, and VAT by country. Real examples and a calculator to estimate your total.
Read guide →How to Get Deal Alerts in Discord
Set up Import Game Deals price-drop alerts in your Discord server using a webhook. Takes about two minutes — no bot required.
Read guide →The Complete Guide to Importing Games from Japan
Everything you need to know about buying import games from Japan: where to shop, how shipping works, customs, region locking, and what to watch out for.
Read guide →Understanding Region Locking: Which Consoles and Games Are Affected
A complete guide to region locking on modern and classic consoles. PS5, Switch, Xbox are region-free. Here's what that means for importing games.
Read guide →Shipping, Customs & Duties Explained for Game Imports
How shipping costs, customs duties, and VAT work when importing games from Japan. Country-by-country breakdown with practical advice.
Read guide →What Are JAN Codes? The Barcode System Behind Japanese Games
JAN codes are the Japanese barcode standard used to uniquely identify game editions. Learn how to read them, find them, and use them to spot the right import.
Read guide →Play-Asia Buyer's Guide: Tips, Shipping Options & What to Know
A practical guide to buying from Play-Asia: how the site works, shipping options, what to watch for, and tips for getting the best deals on import games.
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