ENS works with two kinds of names: .eth names you register through the ENS App, and DNS domains (like .com, .org, or .xyz) you import from where you already own them.
DNS import isn't available yet on ENSv2 Testnet. On Ethereum Mainnet you can import a DNS name today. In the ENSv2 apps there is no way to bring one in, so .eth is the only type you can register there. Everything below describes how DNS names work in ENS.
What's the difference between .eth and DNS names?
A .eth name is native to ENS: you register it in the ENS App and pay an annual ENS registration fee. A DNS name is a regular internet domain (like .com, .org, or .xyz) that ENS lets you import. You can't buy a DNS domain through ENS; you bring one you already own.
Once you import a DNS name, it behaves like a .eth name inside ENS. Both types point at a wallet, hold records like avatar and social handles, and can be set as your primary name.
To bring a DNS domain in on Ethereum Mainnet, see Onchain DNS import.
Do imported DNS names need ENS renewal?
No. Imported DNS names have no ENS registration fees and no ENS renewals; you only pay your DNS registrar. As long as your DNS domain is active with that registrar, the ENS side keeps working.
A .eth name is the opposite: there's no DNS registrar involved, and you pay the ENS annual fee directly. See ENS Pricing (Testnet: Pricing & Fees) for the full breakdown.
What happens if my imported DNS domain expires?
ENS ownership of a DNS name follows DNS ownership. If your DNS domain expires or transfers to someone else, the new DNS owner can claim control of the matching ENS name.
Important: Whoever owns the DNS domain can reclaim the ENS version at any time. Importing doesn't lock the name to your wallet, so if your domain expires or you transfer it, the new owner can take the ENS name. Keep your DNS domain active to keep control.
Does ENS sell DNS domains?
No. ENS supports DNS-name imports but doesn't sell DNS domains. To get a DNS name, buy it from a DNS registrar (the same place you'd buy any .com or .org).
To register a name through ENS itself, register a .eth name — see Register a .eth name (Testnet: Register a .eth name).