Is it cheaper to buy a console abroad and bring it home?
Checked 19 October 2026
Often yes, but usually by a little.
In 97 of the 171 device and country pairs we compared, buying abroad and carrying it home costs less even after duty and tax.
The typical saving is about 14% of the local price, before card fees, and you may lose the local warranty.
Pick your country at the top of the page to see what it means where you live.
Country by country
| You live in | Biggest saving |
|---|---|
| Australia8 of 10 devices cheaper abroad | Nintendo Switch 2 from Japanabout A$227 less (29%) |
| Canada2 of 6 devices cheaper abroad | Nintendo Switch 2 from Japanabout CA$147 less (22%) |
| Denmark3 of 3 devices cheaper abroad | Meta Quest 3S 128 GB from Canadaabout DKK 528 less (19%) |
| Finland7 of 14 devices cheaper abroad | Nintendo Switch 2 from Japanabout €162 less (32%) |
| France6 of 14 devices cheaper abroad | Nintendo Switch 2 from Japanabout €162 less (32%) |
| Germany9 of 14 devices cheaper abroad | Nintendo Switch 2 from Japanabout €162 less (32%) |
| India9 of 9 devices cheaper abroad | Nintendo Switch 2 from Japanabout ₹20,792 less (37%) |
| Ireland6 of 14 devices cheaper abroad | Nintendo Switch 2 from Japanabout €162 less (32%) |
| Italy6 of 14 devices cheaper abroad | Nintendo Switch 2 from Japanabout €162 less (32%) |
| Netherlands6 of 14 devices cheaper abroad | Nintendo Switch 2 from Japanabout €162 less (32%) |
| Poland0 of 2 devices cheaper abroad | Nothing cheaper abroad |
| Singapore3 of 3 devices cheaper abroad | Meta Quest 3S 128 GB from Canadaabout SGD 63 less (13%) |
| Spain6 of 14 devices cheaper abroad | Nintendo Switch 2 from Japanabout €162 less (32%) |
| Sweden3 of 3 devices cheaper abroad | Meta Quest 3S 128 GB from Canadaabout SEK 912 less (21%) |
| United Arab Emirates7 of 7 devices cheaper abroad | Nintendo Switch 2 from Japanabout AED 1,796 less (95%) |
| United Kingdom9 of 14 devices cheaper abroad | Nintendo Switch 2 from Japanabout £136 less (32%) |
| United States7 of 16 devices cheaper abroad | Nintendo Switch 2 from Japanabout $121 less (24%) |
Devices with a local price we could compare. Biggest saving as a share of the local price; amounts are about, in your currency.
Why the allowance decides it
Every country lets you bring in some new goods without paying.
A console that fits inside the allowance comes home with no duty or tax at all, which is where most of the savings come from.
Go over it and the rules differ:
| Country | Allowance | Above it, tax is charged on |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $800 | Only the amount over it |
| United Kingdom | £390 | The full value once you go over it |
| Germany | €430 | The full value once you go over it |
| India | ₹75,000 | Only the amount over it |
| Australia | A$900 | The full value once you go over it |
That is why a console a little under the allowance can be a bargain, while a dearer one can end up costing more than at home.
What the numbers leave out
- Card fees for paying in another currency.
- Manufacturers usually only repair under warranty in the country of purchase.
- Language and account limits: the cheapest Switch 2 in Japan only works in Japanese.
- Check the voltage on the label or power brick before plugging it into a socket in another country.
- You must declare the device at customs, and our numbers assume it is your only new item.
Check your own case
Pick a device on where it is cheapest to see its price in every country and what it costs to bring home, or enter your own numbers in the import calculator.
Sources
| What | Source |
|---|---|
| Prices | The makers’ official prices in each country (Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Valve, Meta) |
| United Arab Emirates | The lowest price for UAE-version units on Amazon.ae |
| India | The official price or, where there is none, the lowest price on Amazon.in and Flipkart |
| Customs rules | The traveller allowances and import rates published by each country’s customs authority (see how we calculate) |
| Exchange rates | European Central Bank reference rates |
Prices checked 19 October 2026. Customs rules checked 19 October 2026. “About” amounts use exchange rates from 20 October 2026.