diff --git a/release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_userpref.py b/release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_userpref.py
index fa5f451f9ee..a7dcd9f68b8 100644
--- a/release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_userpref.py
+++ b/release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/space_userpref.py
@@ -1442,12 +1442,20 @@ class USERPREF_PT_file_paths_asset_libraries(FilePathsPanel, Panel):
             row = name_col.row()
             row.alert = not library.name
             row.prop(library, "name", text="")
+            row = name_col.row()
+            # Dummy for spacing
+            row.label(text="")
+            name_col.separator()
 
             row = path_col.row()
             subrow = row.row()
             subrow.alert = not library.path
             subrow.prop(library, "path", text="")
             row.operator("preferences.asset_library_remove", text="", icon='X', emboss=False).index = i
+            row = path_col.row()
+            row.prop(library, "import_method", text="")
+            row.label(text="", icon='BLANK1')
+            path_col.separator()
 
         row = box.row()
         row.alignment = 'RIGHT'
diff --git a/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_library.hh b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_library.hh
index d487f9711fd..290e8e44b9f 100644
--- a/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_library.hh
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_library.hh
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #include "BKE_callbacks.h"
 
 struct AssetLibrary;
+class bUserAssetLibrary;
 struct IDRemapper;
 struct Main;
 
@@ -58,6 +59,11 @@ class AssetLibrary {
 
   std::function<void(AssetLibrary &self)> on_refresh_;
 
+  std::optional<eAssetImportMethod> import_method_;
+  /** Assets owned by this library may be imported with a different method than set in
+   * #import_method_ above, it's just a default. */
+  bool may_override_import_method_ = false;
+
   bCallbackFuncStore on_save_callback_store_{};
 
  public:
@@ -67,10 +73,8 @@ class AssetLibrary {
 
   std::unique_ptr<AssetCatalogService> catalog_service;
 
-  /** Assets owned by this library should never be linked. */
-  bool never_link = false;
-
   friend class AssetLibraryService;
+  friend class AssetRepresentation;
 
  public:
   /**
diff --git a/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_representation.hh b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_representation.hh
index 6793cd8097c..99fde7d3dc2 100644
--- a/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_representation.hh
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/AS_asset_representation.hh
@@ -12,10 +12,13 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include <memory>
+#include <optional>
 #include <string>
 
 #include "BLI_string_ref.hh"
 
+#include "DNA_asset_types.h"
+
 #include "AS_asset_identifier.hh"
 
 struct AssetMetaData;
@@ -70,6 +73,15 @@ class AssetRepresentation {
 
   StringRefNull get_name() const;
   AssetMetaData &get_metadata() const;
+  /** Get the import method to use for this asset. A different one may be used if
+   * #may_override_import_method() returns true, otherwise, the returned value must be used. If
+   * there is no import method predefined for this asset no value is returned.
+   */
+  std::optional<eAssetImportMethod> get_import_method() const;
+  /** Returns if this asset may be imported with an import method other than the one returned by
+   * #get_import_method(). Also returns true if there is no predefined import method
+   * (when #get_import_method() returns no value). */
+  bool may_override_import_method() const;
   /** Returns if this asset is stored inside this current file, and as such fully editable. */
   bool is_local_id() const;
   const AssetLibrary &owner_asset_library() const;
@@ -81,3 +93,6 @@ class AssetRepresentation {
 struct AssetRepresentation;
 
 const std::string AS_asset_representation_full_path_get(const ::AssetRepresentation *asset);
+std::optional<eAssetImportMethod> AS_asset_representation_import_method_get(
+    const ::AssetRepresentation *asset_handle);
+bool AS_asset_representation_may_override_import_method(const ::AssetRepresentation *asset_handle);
diff --git a/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library_service.cc b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library_service.cc
index b9ae8e7bd69..cf52f9d1d76 100644
--- a/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library_service.cc
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library_service.cc
@@ -63,9 +63,11 @@ AssetLibrary *AssetLibraryService::get_asset_library(
   switch (type) {
     case ASSET_LIBRARY_ESSENTIALS: {
       const StringRefNull root_path = essentials_directory_path();
-      AssetLibrary *asset_library = get_asset_library_on_disk(root_path);
-      asset_library->never_link = true;
-      return asset_library;
+
+      AssetLibrary *library = get_asset_library_on_disk(root_path);
+      library->import_method_ = ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND_REUSE;
+
+      return library;
     }
     case ASSET_LIBRARY_LOCAL: {
       /* For the "Current File" library  we get the asset library root path based on main. */
@@ -81,12 +83,22 @@ AssetLibrary *AssetLibraryService::get_asset_library(
     case ASSET_LIBRARY_ALL:
       return get_asset_library_all(bmain);
     case ASSET_LIBRARY_CUSTOM: {
-      std::string root_path = root_path_from_library_ref(library_reference);
-
-      if (!root_path.empty()) {
-        return get_asset_library_on_disk(root_path);
+      bUserAssetLibrary *custom_library = find_custom_asset_library_from_library_ref(
+          library_reference);
+      if (!custom_library) {
+        return nullptr;
       }
-      break;
+
+      std::string root_path = custom_library->path;
+      if (root_path.empty()) {
+        return nullptr;
+      }
+
+      AssetLibrary *library = get_asset_library_on_disk(root_path);
+      library->import_method_ = eAssetImportMethod(custom_library->import_method);
+      library->may_override_import_method_ = true;
+
+      return library;
     }
   }
 
@@ -187,6 +199,15 @@ AssetLibrary *AssetLibraryService::get_asset_library_all(const Main *bmain)
   return all_library_.get();
 }
 
+bUserAssetLibrary *AssetLibraryService::find_custom_asset_library_from_library_ref(
+    const AssetLibraryReference &library_reference)
+{
+  BLI_assert(library_reference.type == ASSET_LIBRARY_CUSTOM);
+  BLI_assert(library_reference.custom_library_index >= 0);
+
+  return BKE_preferences_asset_library_find_from_index(&U, library_reference.custom_library_index);
+}
+
 std::string AssetLibraryService::root_path_from_library_ref(
     const AssetLibraryReference &library_reference)
 {
@@ -194,16 +215,13 @@ std::string AssetLibraryService::root_path_from_library_ref(
     return "";
   }
 
-  BLI_assert(library_reference.type == ASSET_LIBRARY_CUSTOM);
-  BLI_assert(library_reference.custom_library_index >= 0);
-
-  bUserAssetLibrary *user_library = BKE_preferences_asset_library_find_from_index(
-      &U, library_reference.custom_library_index);
-  if (!user_library || !user_library->path[0]) {
+  bUserAssetLibrary *custom_library = find_custom_asset_library_from_library_ref(
+      library_reference);
+  if (!custom_library || !custom_library->path[0]) {
     return "";
   }
 
-  return user_library->path;
+  return custom_library->path;
 }
 
 void AssetLibraryService::allocate_service_instance()
diff --git a/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library_service.hh b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library_service.hh
index 1dd9bda7aca..1c0a2e9dc36 100644
--- a/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library_service.hh
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_library_service.hh
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include <memory>
 
 struct AssetLibraryReference;
+struct bUserAssetLibrary;
 
 namespace blender::asset_system {
 
@@ -58,6 +59,8 @@ class AssetLibraryService {
   static void destroy();
 
   static std::string root_path_from_library_ref(const AssetLibraryReference &library_reference);
+  static bUserAssetLibrary *find_custom_asset_library_from_library_ref(
+      const AssetLibraryReference &library_reference);
 
   AssetLibrary *get_asset_library(const Main *bmain,
                                   const AssetLibraryReference &library_reference);
diff --git a/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_representation.cc b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_representation.cc
index 5d3660e4bb3..daaa7bdff0f 100644
--- a/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_representation.cc
+++ b/source/blender/asset_system/intern/asset_representation.cc
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 
 #include "DNA_ID.h"
 #include "DNA_asset_types.h"
+#include "DNA_userdef_types.h"
 
 #include "AS_asset_identifier.hh"
 #include "AS_asset_library.hh"
@@ -80,6 +81,22 @@ AssetMetaData &AssetRepresentation::get_metadata() const
   return is_local_id_ ? *local_asset_id_->asset_data : *external_asset_.metadata_;
 }
 
+std::optional<eAssetImportMethod> AssetRepresentation::get_import_method() const
+{
+  if (!owner_asset_library_) {
+    return {};
+  }
+  return owner_asset_library_->import_method_;
+}
+
+bool AssetRepresentation::may_override_import_method() const
+{
+  if (!owner_asset_library_ || !owner_asset_library_->import_method_) {
+    return true;
+  }
+  return owner_asset_library_->may_override_import_method_;
+}
+
 bool AssetRepresentation::is_local_id() const
 {
   return is_local_id_;
@@ -102,6 +119,21 @@ const std::string AS_asset_representation_full_path_get(const AssetRepresentatio
   return identifier.full_path();
 }
 
+std::optional<eAssetImportMethod> AS_asset_representation_import_method_get(
+    const AssetRepresentation *asset_handle)
+{
+  const asset_system::AssetRepresentation *asset =
+      reinterpret_cast<const asset_system::AssetRepresentation *>(asset_handle);
+  return asset->get_import_method();
+}
+
+bool AS_asset_representation_may_override_import_method(const AssetRepresentation *asset_handle)
+{
+  const asset_system::AssetRepresentation *asset =
+      reinterpret_cast<const asset_system::AssetRepresentation *>(asset_handle);
+  return asset->may_override_import_method();
+}
+
 /* ---------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 /** \name C-API
  * \{ */
@@ -127,11 +159,4 @@ bool AS_asset_representation_is_local_id(const AssetRepresentation *asset_handle
   return asset->is_local_id();
 }
 
-bool AS_asset_representation_is_never_link(const AssetRepresentation *asset_handle)
-{
-  const asset_system::AssetRepresentation *asset =
-      reinterpret_cast<const asset_system::AssetRepresentation *>(asset_handle);
-  return asset->owner_asset_library().never_link;
-}
-
 /** \} */
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_blender_version.h b/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_blender_version.h
index 395a0c34538..e83abeae329 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_blender_version.h
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_blender_version.h
@@ -23,9 +23,11 @@ extern "C" {
 /** Blender release cycle stage: alpha/beta/rc/release. */
 #define BLENDER_VERSION_CYCLE alpha
 
+/* TODO proper version bump. */
+
 /* Blender file format version. */
 #define BLENDER_FILE_VERSION BLENDER_VERSION
-#define BLENDER_FILE_SUBVERSION 9
+#define BLENDER_FILE_SUBVERSION 10
 
 /* Minimum Blender version that supports reading file written with the current
  * version. Older Blender versions will test this and show a warning if the file
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/preferences.c b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/preferences.c
index dd76f9eddc1..02169cd4535 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/preferences.c
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/preferences.c
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@
 
 #include <string.h>
 
+#include "DNA_asset_types.h"
+
 #include "MEM_guardedalloc.h"
 
 #include "BLI_fileops.h"
@@ -44,6 +46,7 @@ bUserAssetLibrary *BKE_preferences_asset_library_add(UserDef *userdef,
   if (path) {
     BLI_strncpy(library->path, path, sizeof(library->path));
   }
+  library->import_method = ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND_REUSE;
 
   return library;
 }
diff --git a/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_300.cc b/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_300.cc
index ca39543c841..4a1c14bd430 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_300.cc
+++ b/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_300.cc
@@ -3913,16 +3913,27 @@ void blo_do_versions_300(FileData *fd, Library * /*lib*/, Main *bmain)
     }
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Versioning code until next subversion bump goes here.
-   *
-   * \note Be sure to check when bumping the version:
-   * - "versioning_userdef.c", #blo_do_versions_userdef
-   * - "versioning_userdef.c", #do_versions_theme
-   *
-   * \note Keep this message at the bottom of the function.
-   */
-  {
+  if (!MAIN_VERSION_ATLEAST(bmain, 305, 10)) {
+    LISTBASE_FOREACH (bScreen *, screen, &bmain->screens) {
+      LISTBASE_FOREACH (ScrArea *, area, &screen->areabase) {
+        LISTBASE_FOREACH (SpaceLink *, sl, &area->spacedata) {
+          if (sl->spacetype != SPACE_FILE) {
+            continue;
+          }
+          SpaceFile *sfile = reinterpret_cast<SpaceFile *>(sl);
+          if (!sfile->asset_params) {
+            continue;
+          }
+
+          /* When an asset browser uses the default import method, make it follow the new
+           * preference setting. This means no effective default behavior change. */
+          if (sfile->asset_params->import_type == FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND_REUSE) {
+            sfile->asset_params->import_type = FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_FOLLOW_PREFS;
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
     if (!DNA_struct_elem_find(fd->filesdna, "SceneEEVEE", "int", "shadow_pool_size")) {
       LISTBASE_FOREACH (Scene *, scene, &bmain->scenes) {
         scene->eevee.flag |= SCE_EEVEE_SHADOW_ENABLED;
@@ -3960,7 +3971,18 @@ void blo_do_versions_300(FileData *fd, Library * /*lib*/, Main *bmain)
         }
       }
     }
+  }
 
+  /**
+   * Versioning code until next subversion bump goes here.
+   *
+   * \note Be sure to check when bumping the version:
+   * - "versioning_userdef.c", #blo_do_versions_userdef
+   * - "versioning_userdef.c", #do_versions_theme
+   *
+   * \note Keep this message at the bottom of the function.
+   */
+  {
     /* Keep this block, even when empty. */
   }
 }
diff --git a/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_userdef.c b/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_userdef.c
index 10a21356c8f..3c4b1a04d63 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_userdef.c
+++ b/source/blender/blenloader/intern/versioning_userdef.c
@@ -773,6 +773,12 @@ void blo_do_versions_userdef(UserDef *userdef)
     userdef->gpu_backend = GPU_BACKEND_OPENGL;
   }
 
+  if (!USER_VERSION_ATLEAST(305, 10)) {
+    LISTBASE_FOREACH (bUserAssetLibrary *, asset_library, &userdef->asset_libraries) {
+      asset_library->import_method = ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND_REUSE;
+    }
+  }
+
   /**
    * Versioning code until next subversion bump goes here.
    *
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/asset/ED_asset_handle.h b/source/blender/editors/asset/ED_asset_handle.h
index b3d9b58b30e..436194fd885 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/asset/ED_asset_handle.h
+++ b/source/blender/editors/asset/ED_asset_handle.h
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include "DNA_ID_enums.h"
+#include "DNA_asset_types.h"
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 extern "C" {
@@ -37,6 +38,13 @@ void ED_asset_handle_get_full_library_path(
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 
+#  include <optional>
+
+/** The asset library may have an import method (e.g. append vs. link) defined to use. If so, this
+ * returns it. Otherwise a reasonable method should be used, usually "Append (Reuse Data)". */
+std::optional<eAssetImportMethod> ED_asset_handle_get_import_method(
+    const struct AssetHandle *asset);
+
 namespace blender::ed::asset {
 
 /** If the ID already exists in the database, return it, otherwise add it. */
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_handle.cc b/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_handle.cc
index 26b6f09b231..4a6a7fda40b 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_handle.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/asset/intern/asset_handle.cc
@@ -42,6 +42,12 @@ int ED_asset_handle_get_preview_icon_id(const AssetHandle *asset)
   return asset->file_data->preview_icon_id;
 }
 
+std::optional<eAssetImportMethod> ED_asset_handle_get_import_method(
+    const AssetHandle *asset_handle)
+{
+  return AS_asset_representation_import_method_get(asset_handle->file_data->asset);
+}
+
 void ED_asset_handle_get_full_library_path(const AssetHandle *asset_handle,
                                            char r_full_lib_path[FILE_MAX_LIBEXTRA])
 {
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/include/ED_fileselect.h b/source/blender/editors/include/ED_fileselect.h
index cf9b423dd7a..df6fe03bf05 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/include/ED_fileselect.h
+++ b/source/blender/editors/include/ED_fileselect.h
@@ -150,6 +150,22 @@ struct ID *ED_fileselect_active_asset_get(const struct SpaceFile *sfile);
 
 void ED_fileselect_activate_asset_catalog(const struct SpaceFile *sfile, bUUID catalog_id);
 
+/**
+ * Resolve this space's #eFileAssetImportMethod to the #eAssetImportMethod (note the different
+ * type) to be used for the actual import of a specific asset.
+ * - If the asset system dictates a certain import method, this will be returned.
+ * - If the Asset Browser is set to follow the Preferences (#FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_FOLLOW_PREFS), the
+ *   asset system determines the import method (which is the default from the Preferences). -1 is
+ *   returned if the asset system doesn't specify a method (e.g. because the asset library doesn't
+ *   come from the Preferences).
+ * - Otherwise, the Asset Browser determines (possibly overrides) the import method.
+ *
+ * \return -1 on error, for example when #FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_FOLLOW_PREFS was requested but the
+ *         active asset library reference couldn't be found in the preferences.
+ */
+int /* #eAssetImportMethod */ ED_fileselect_asset_import_method_get(
+    const struct SpaceFile *sfile, const struct FileDirEntry *file);
+
 /**
  * Activate and select the file that corresponds to the given ID.
  * Pass deferred=true to wait for the next refresh before activating.
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/include/UI_interface.h b/source/blender/editors/include/UI_interface.h
index b04a276feb4..066aef1886d 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/include/UI_interface.h
+++ b/source/blender/editors/include/UI_interface.h
@@ -1797,7 +1797,7 @@ void UI_but_drag_attach_image(uiBut *but, struct ImBuf *imb, float scale);
 void UI_but_drag_set_asset(uiBut *but,
                            const struct AssetHandle *asset,
                            const char *path,
-                           int import_type, /* eFileAssetImportType */
+                           int import_type, /* eAssetImportType */
                            int icon,
                            struct ImBuf *imb,
                            float scale);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_template_asset_view.cc b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_template_asset_view.cc
index 3e707031dd2..55b2e780a9e 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_template_asset_view.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_template_asset_view.cc
@@ -49,12 +49,15 @@ static void asset_view_item_but_drag_set(uiBut *but, AssetHandle *asset_handle)
    * away before too long. */
   ED_asset_handle_get_full_library_path(asset_handle, blend_path);
 
+  const eAssetImportMethod import_method =
+      ED_asset_handle_get_import_method(asset_handle).value_or(ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND_REUSE);
+
   if (blend_path[0]) {
     ImBuf *imbuf = ED_assetlist_asset_image_get(asset_handle);
     UI_but_drag_set_asset(but,
                           asset_handle,
                           BLI_strdup(blend_path),
-                          FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND,
+                          import_method,
                           ED_asset_handle_get_preview_icon_id(asset_handle),
                           imbuf,
                           1.0f);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/space_file/file_draw.c b/source/blender/editors/space_file/file_draw.c
index a940be844e0..97e6531eadd 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/space_file/file_draw.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/space_file/file_draw.c
@@ -128,19 +128,6 @@ static void draw_tile_background(const rcti *draw_rect, int colorid, int shade)
   UI_draw_roundbox_aa(&draw_rect_fl, true, 5.0f, color);
 }
 
-static eFileAssetImportType get_asset_import_type(const SpaceFile *sfile, const FileDirEntry *file)
-{
-  const FileAssetSelectParams *asset_params = ED_fileselect_get_asset_params(sfile);
-  BLI_assert(asset_params != NULL);
-  if (asset_params->import_type != FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_LINK) {
-    return asset_params->import_type;
-  }
-  if (AS_asset_representation_is_never_link(file->asset)) {
-    return FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND_REUSE;
-  }
-  return FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_LINK;
-}
-
 static void file_draw_icon(const SpaceFile *sfile,
                            uiBlock *block,
                            const FileDirEntry *file,
@@ -180,10 +167,16 @@ static void file_draw_icon(const SpaceFile *sfile,
       ImBuf *preview_image = filelist_file_getimage(file);
       char blend_path[FILE_MAX_LIBEXTRA];
       if (BLO_library_path_explode(path, blend_path, NULL, NULL)) {
+        const FileAssetSelectParams *asset_params = ED_fileselect_get_asset_params(sfile);
+        BLI_assert(asset_params != NULL);
+
+        const int import_method = ED_fileselect_asset_import_method_get(sfile, file);
+        BLI_assert(import_method > -1);
+
         UI_but_drag_set_asset(but,
                               &(AssetHandle){.file_data = file},
                               BLI_strdup(blend_path),
-                              get_asset_import_type(sfile, file),
+                              import_method,
                               icon,
                               preview_image,
                               UI_DPI_FAC);
@@ -570,10 +563,16 @@ static void file_draw_preview(const SpaceFile *sfile,
       char blend_path[FILE_MAX_LIBEXTRA];
 
       if (BLO_library_path_explode(path, blend_path, NULL, NULL)) {
+        const FileAssetSelectParams *asset_params = ED_fileselect_get_asset_params(sfile);
+        BLI_assert(asset_params != NULL);
+
+        const int import_method = ED_fileselect_asset_import_method_get(sfile, file);
+        BLI_assert(import_method > -1);
+
         UI_but_drag_set_asset(but,
                               &(AssetHandle){.file_data = file},
                               BLI_strdup(blend_path),
-                              get_asset_import_type(sfile, file),
+                              import_method,
                               icon,
                               imb,
                               scale);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/space_file/filesel.cc b/source/blender/editors/space_file/filesel.cc
index 4d6c94e6bae..45bbb25a4de 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/space_file/filesel.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/space_file/filesel.cc
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@
 #  include <unistd.h>
 #endif
 
+#include "AS_asset_representation.hh"
+
 #include "DNA_screen_types.h"
 #include "DNA_space_types.h"
 #include "DNA_userdef_types.h"
@@ -58,6 +60,7 @@
 #include "UI_interface_icons.h"
 #include "UI_view2d.h"
 
+#include "AS_asset_representation.h"
 #include "AS_essentials_library.hh"
 
 #include "file_intern.h"
@@ -106,7 +109,7 @@ static void fileselect_ensure_updated_asset_params(SpaceFile *sfile)
     asset_params->base_params.details_flags = U_default.file_space_data.details_flags;
     asset_params->asset_library_ref.type = ASSET_LIBRARY_ALL;
     asset_params->asset_library_ref.custom_library_index = -1;
-    asset_params->import_type = FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND_REUSE;
+    asset_params->import_type = FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_FOLLOW_PREFS;
   }
 
   FileSelectParams *base_params = &asset_params->base_params;
@@ -503,6 +506,43 @@ void ED_fileselect_activate_asset_catalog(const SpaceFile *sfile, const bUUID ca
   WM_main_add_notifier(NC_SPACE | ND_SPACE_ASSET_PARAMS, nullptr);
 }
 
+int ED_fileselect_asset_import_method_get(const SpaceFile *sfile, const FileDirEntry *file)
+{
+  if (!ED_fileselect_is_asset_browser(sfile) || !file->asset) {
+    return -1;
+  }
+
+  /* First handle the case where the asset system dictates a certain import method. */
+  if (AS_asset_representation_may_override_import_method(file->asset) == false) {
+    BLI_assert(AS_asset_representation_import_method_get(file->asset).has_value());
+
+    return *AS_asset_representation_import_method_get(file->asset);
+  }
+
+  const FileAssetSelectParams *params = ED_fileselect_get_asset_params(sfile);
+
+  if (params->import_type == FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_FOLLOW_PREFS) {
+    std::optional import_method = AS_asset_representation_import_method_get(file->asset);
+    return import_method ? *import_method : -1;
+  }
+
+  switch (eFileAssetImportType(params->import_type)) {
+    case FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_LINK:
+      return ASSET_IMPORT_LINK;
+    case FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND:
+      return ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND;
+    case FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND_REUSE:
+      return ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND_REUSE;
+
+      /* Should be handled above already. Break and fail below. */
+    case FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_FOLLOW_PREFS:
+      break;
+  }
+
+  BLI_assert_unreachable();
+  return -1;
+}
+
 static void on_reload_activate_by_id(SpaceFile *sfile, onReloadFnData custom_data)
 {
   ID *asset_id = (ID *)custom_data;
diff --git a/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_asset_types.h b/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_asset_types.h
index d61e75d98c0..5ab24b2db4a 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_asset_types.h
+++ b/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_asset_types.h
@@ -99,6 +99,17 @@ typedef enum eAssetLibraryType {
   ASSET_LIBRARY_CUSTOM = 100,
 } eAssetLibraryType;
 
+typedef enum eAssetImportMethod {
+  /** Regular data-block linking. */
+  ASSET_IMPORT_LINK = 0,
+  /** Regular data-block appending (basically linking + "Make Local"). */
+  ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND = 1,
+  /** Append data-block with the #BLO_LIBLINK_APPEND_LOCAL_ID_REUSE flag enabled. Some typically
+   * heavy data dependencies (e.g. the image data-blocks of a material, the mesh of an object) may
+   * be reused from an earlier append. */
+  ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND_REUSE = 2,
+} eAssetImportMethod;
+
 /**
  * Information to identify an asset library. May be either one of the predefined types (current
  * 'Main', builtin library, project library), or a custom type as defined in the Preferences.
diff --git a/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_space_types.h b/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_space_types.h
index 2742f62357d..2330d7dec7b 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_space_types.h
+++ b/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_space_types.h
@@ -850,6 +850,8 @@ typedef enum eFileAssetImportType {
    * heavy data dependencies (e.g. the image data-blocks of a material, the mesh of an object) may
    * be reused from an earlier append. */
   FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND_REUSE = 2,
+  /** Default: Follow the preference setting for this asset library. */
+  FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_FOLLOW_PREFS = 3,
 } eFileAssetImportType;
 
 /**
diff --git a/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_userdef_types.h b/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_userdef_types.h
index bdf2210deae..91e950b540e 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_userdef_types.h
+++ b/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_userdef_types.h
@@ -577,6 +577,9 @@ typedef struct bUserAssetLibrary {
 
   char name[64];   /* MAX_NAME */
   char path[1024]; /* FILE_MAX */
+
+  short import_method; /* eAssetImportMethod */
+  char _pad0[6];
 } bUserAssetLibrary;
 
 typedef struct SolidLight {
diff --git a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_space.c b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_space.c
index 260e4c5bc7e..e8ee2593dc7 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_space.c
+++ b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_space.c
@@ -6912,6 +6912,12 @@ static void rna_def_fileselect_asset_params(BlenderRNA *brna)
   PropertyRNA *prop;
 
   static const EnumPropertyItem asset_import_type_items[] = {
+      {FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_FOLLOW_PREFS,
+       "FOLLOW_PREFS",
+       0,
+       "Follow Preferences",
+       "Use the import method set in the Preferences for this asset library, don't override it "
+       "for this Asset Browser"},
       {FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_LINK, "LINK", 0, "Link", "Import the assets as linked data-block"},
       {FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND,
        "APPEND",
diff --git a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_userdef.c b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_userdef.c
index 1b10a924b12..6fa8884c54c 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_userdef.c
+++ b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_userdef.c
@@ -6134,6 +6134,31 @@ static void rna_def_userdef_filepaths_asset_library(BlenderRNA *brna)
       prop, "Path", "Path to a directory with .blend files to use as an asset library");
   RNA_def_property_string_funcs(prop, NULL, NULL, "rna_userdef_asset_library_path_set");
   RNA_def_property_update(prop, 0, "rna_userdef_update");
+
+  static const EnumPropertyItem import_method_items[] = {
+      {ASSET_IMPORT_LINK, "LINK", 0, "Link", "Import the assets as linked data-block"},
+      {ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND,
+       "APPEND",
+       0,
+       "Append",
+       "Import the assets as copied data-block, with no link to the original asset data-block"},
+      {ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND_REUSE,
+       "APPEND_REUSE",
+       0,
+       "Append (Reuse Data)",
+       "Import the assets as copied data-block while avoiding multiple copies of nested, "
+       "typically heavy data. For example the textures of a material asset, or the mesh of an "
+       "object asset, don't have to be copied every time this asset is imported. The instances of "
+       "the asset share the data instead"},
+      {0, NULL, 0, NULL, NULL},
+  };
+  prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "import_method", PROP_ENUM, PROP_NONE);
+  RNA_def_property_enum_items(prop, import_method_items);
+  RNA_def_property_ui_text(
+      prop,
+      "Default Import Method",
+      "Determine how the asset will be imported, unless overridden by the Asset Browser");
+  RNA_def_property_update(prop, 0, "rna_userdef_update");
 }
 
 static void rna_def_userdef_filepaths(BlenderRNA *brna)
diff --git a/source/blender/windowmanager/WM_api.h b/source/blender/windowmanager/WM_api.h
index 80785954a4e..d66cf407b55 100644
--- a/source/blender/windowmanager/WM_api.h
+++ b/source/blender/windowmanager/WM_api.h
@@ -1345,7 +1345,7 @@ bool WM_drag_is_ID_type(const struct wmDrag *drag, int idcode);
  */
 wmDragAsset *WM_drag_create_asset_data(const struct AssetHandle *asset,
                                        const char *path,
-                                       int import_type);
+                                       int /* #eAssetImportMethod */ import_type);
 struct wmDragAsset *WM_drag_get_asset_data(const struct wmDrag *drag, int idcode);
 struct AssetMetaData *WM_drag_get_asset_meta_data(const struct wmDrag *drag, int idcode);
 /**
diff --git a/source/blender/windowmanager/WM_types.h b/source/blender/windowmanager/WM_types.h
index 4c912f379dc..bdde49a1495 100644
--- a/source/blender/windowmanager/WM_types.h
+++ b/source/blender/windowmanager/WM_types.h
@@ -1074,7 +1074,7 @@ typedef struct wmDragAsset {
   const char *path;
   int id_type;
   struct AssetMetaData *metadata;
-  int import_type; /* eFileAssetImportType */
+  int import_method; /* eAssetImportType */
 
   /* FIXME: This is temporary evil solution to get scene/view-layer/etc in the copy callback of the
    * #wmDropBox.
diff --git a/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_dragdrop.cc b/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_dragdrop.cc
index 7b0056cc987..df621d25330 100644
--- a/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_dragdrop.cc
+++ b/source/blender/windowmanager/intern/wm_dragdrop.cc
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 
 #include <cstring>
 
+#include "DNA_asset_types.h"
 #include "DNA_screen_types.h"
 #include "DNA_space_types.h"
 #include "DNA_windowmanager_types.h"
@@ -563,7 +564,7 @@ wmDragAsset *WM_drag_create_asset_data(const AssetHandle *asset, const char *pat
   asset_drag->metadata = ED_asset_handle_get_metadata(asset);
   asset_drag->path = path;
   asset_drag->id_type = ED_asset_handle_get_id_type(asset);
-  asset_drag->import_type = import_type;
+  asset_drag->import_method = import_type;
 
   return asset_drag;
 }
@@ -617,11 +618,11 @@ ID *WM_drag_asset_id_import(wmDragAsset *asset_drag, const int flag_extra)
   ViewLayer *view_layer = CTX_data_view_layer(asset_drag->evil_C);
   View3D *view3d = CTX_wm_view3d(asset_drag->evil_C);
 
-  switch ((eFileAssetImportType)asset_drag->import_type) {
-    case FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_LINK:
+  switch (eAssetImportMethod(asset_drag->import_method)) {
+    case ASSET_IMPORT_LINK:
       return WM_file_link_datablock(
           bmain, scene, view_layer, view3d, asset_drag->path, idtype, name, flag);
-    case FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND:
+    case ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND:
       return WM_file_append_datablock(bmain,
                                       scene,
                                       view_layer,
@@ -631,7 +632,7 @@ ID *WM_drag_asset_id_import(wmDragAsset *asset_drag, const int flag_extra)
                                       name,
                                       flag | BLO_LIBLINK_APPEND_RECURSIVE |
                                           BLO_LIBLINK_APPEND_ASSET_DATA_CLEAR);
-    case FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND_REUSE:
+    case ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND_REUSE:
       return WM_file_append_datablock(G_MAIN,
                                       scene,
                                       view_layer,
@@ -655,7 +656,7 @@ bool WM_drag_asset_will_import_linked(const wmDrag *drag)
   }
 
   const wmDragAsset *asset_drag = WM_drag_get_asset_data(drag, 0);
-  return asset_drag->import_type == FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_LINK;
+  return asset_drag->import_method == ASSET_IMPORT_LINK;
 }
 
 ID *WM_drag_get_local_ID_or_import_from_asset(const wmDrag *drag, int idcode)
@@ -728,7 +729,7 @@ void WM_drag_add_asset_list_item(wmDrag *drag, const AssetHandle *asset)
     ED_asset_handle_get_full_library_path(asset, asset_blend_path);
     drag_asset->is_external = true;
     drag_asset->asset_data.external_info = WM_drag_create_asset_data(
-        asset, BLI_strdup(asset_blend_path), FILE_ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND);
+        asset, BLI_strdup(asset_blend_path), ASSET_IMPORT_APPEND);
   }
   BLI_addtail(&drag->asset_items, drag_asset);
 }