Since everyone buys stuff from eBay or this forum anyway I don't understand the distinction between "import" and otherwise. It's not like you can buy this stuff at Target either way.
This seems like an odd statement. Doesn't import simply mean that you are purchasing a game from another country? If I buy a game on ebay or on this forum, but the guy I am buying from is in Japan or Europe, then that's importing.
Recently I bought a bunch of Gizmondo games, which were somewhat reasonably priced. However, after the currency exchange rate, the cost of shipping from the UK, and the wait to get the games, the "cost" to me was high. This cost being time and money.
Obviously if you buy a PCE game from a guy on the forum who lives in the US, then it isn't an import. That's also the preferred way to shop, because it is cheaper and quicker. Thankfully there are a lot of games from other regions floating around the US now, so it is also an easier option.
However, even in the year 2012 there is a very distinct difference between purchasing a game domestically and importing.