In the USA, the PS5 Pro is reportedly much cheaper. However, those who calculate the prices will find that this is not true. MeinMMO has calculated what happens if you were to buy a PS5 Pro in the USA.
How much does the PS5 cost? Sony has mentioned the official price and release date of the PS5 Pro in Germany:
- The PS5 Pro will cost 799.99 euros in Germany.
- You will pay an additional 119.99 euros for a drive and around 30 euros for a stand. For a second DualSense controller, you will pay about 60 euros.
- For the complete package, you will pay around 950 euros. A subscription to PS Plus is not included if you want to play online.
Some clever people have already noticed: 700 US dollars is equivalent to 628.51 euros, which is much cheaper than if you ordered your PS5 Pro in Germany. However, there are several caveats.
The price in the USA is lower because there are no taxes
Why does the price in the USA feel lower? In the USA or the individual states, there is no uniform sales tax. However, it is generally much lower than our 19% in Germany: In California, you pay 7.25%, in Colorado only 2.9%. This means that prices in the USA are more or less tax-free from a German perspective.
What happens with imports? Those who have ordered a product from the USA know that additional fees come along with it. When importing, you pay so-called import sales tax on your purchased product and customs fees.
This is to prevent people from purchasing hardware or other products much cheaper abroad and thus having a competitive disadvantage against companies. Because locally based companies can only sell their products with value-added tax. This is reported by the German magazine Lexware.de.
Additionally, there are usually customs fees if the package comes from outside the EU. Customs are charged on all goods imported from third countries into the European Union (EU). Each state handles customs themselves.
An imported PS5 Pro will ultimately cost you more than if you buy it in Germany
How much does the PS5 Pro cost in the USA? Staying with our example of the converted 628.51 euros you would have to pay for the PS5 Pro in the USA. If you order now in the USA, several factors will come into play:
- The general customs fees and additionally the import sales tax of 19%, since the value of the goods exceeds 150 euros (via zoll.de)
- Additionally, there is usually a flat rate from the shipping provider. Depending on the provider (UPS, DPD, DHL), this can be another 10 to 15 euros. Unless you pick up your package directly from customs, then the fee is waived.
- Depending on the seller in the USA, there are also additional shipping costs for insured shipping.
With import and customs, you will then pay according to the customs calculator for international packages 801 euros, not including the provider’s flat rate and shipping costs. In the end, you will pay more for your PS5 Pro, which you supposedly bought cheaper in the USA, than in Germany.
US products use different plugs
Additional risks: There are also other problems you should consider:
- Your package can get stuck in customs.
- In Germany/EU, different warranty provisions apply than in the USA. If your device is broken, you can’t just send it to the USA for repair.
- Moreover, US products usually use different power plugs and a different voltage than in Germany.
Gaming PC as an alternative to the PS5 Pro: The PS5 Pro has been officially announced and the price and release of the PS5 Pro has been mentioned. However, the high price of 800 euros makes many gamers angry. Because many say, “with that money you could just buy a gaming PC”: PS5 Pro or Gaming PC: What should you buy for 800 euros?
