Buying Japanese Pokémon cards in the UK

We're two collectors in Belfast who import sealed Japanese booster boxes. This is what we'd tell a friend before they buy their first Japanese box: how it differs from English, whether the cards are worth more, how to avoid fakes, and where to buy.

How Japanese cards differ from English ones

The language. The card text is in Japanese. The artwork, card numbers and rarity marks are easy to read without knowing any Japanese.
Smaller boxes. Most Japanese booster boxes we stock hold 30 packs of 5 cards. High Class Packs such as Mega Dream ex hold 10 packs of 10. A standard English booster box holds 36 packs of 10.
Earlier releases. Sets come out in Japan first, often months before the English version. English sets can also mix cards from more than one Japanese set, so a Japanese set and its English counterpart don't always line up card for card.
Different rarity marks. Japanese cards use letter codes such as AR (Art Rare), SAR (Special Art Rare) and MUR (Mega Ultra Rare). Our card lists show the code for every card.

Are Japanese Pokémon cards worth more?

It depends on the card. Some Japanese cards sell for more than their English version, and some sell for less. Most UK buyers collect English cards, so an ordinary Japanese card can be worth less here than the same card in English.

The only reliable way to value a card is to look up recent sold prices for that exact card, in that language and condition. Asking prices tell you what a seller hopes for, not what people pay.

Plenty of collectors buy Japanese boxes for the opening itself: the smaller packs, the earlier release, and the chance at a card before it's out in English.

How to spot a fake or resealed box

Fake and resealed booster boxes do turn up in the UK, especially on marketplaces. These checks catch most of them:

The price. A box far below what other shops charge is the biggest warning sign.
The shrink wrap. Factory wrap is tight and even with neat seams. Loose or baggy wrap, messy seams, glue marks, or wrap that looks melted at the corners are signs of a reseal.
The printing. Compare the box with official product photos. Blurry printing, wrong colours or a different logo position are signs of a fake.
The packs. When you open the box, the pack seals should be straight and evenly crimped, and the packs should match each other.
The seller. Buy from someone who shows you the exact box you'll get and promises a refund if it turns out to be resealed or fake.

That last point is why we email photos of every box before it ships: all six sides, the corners and the shrink wrap. If you think your box has been resealed or is fake, send us photos within 30 days of delivery. If we can't show it left sealed and genuine, you get a full refund including postage.

Where to buy Japanese Pokémon cards in the UK

Local card shops and card shows. You can see the box before you pay, and shows often have several sellers to compare.
eBay and other marketplaces. There's plenty of choice, but check the seller's feedback and returns policy, and ask for photos of the actual box.
Shops in Japan. Prices can be lower, but you'll usually pay import VAT, and sometimes a courier handling fee, before the parcel is delivered. Returns to Japan are slow and expensive.
UK importers like us. Our boxes are already through UK customs, so UK orders have nothing extra to pay on arrival, and you're covered by UK consumer law.

Sets we stock

Questions? Email contactus@tatakaicards.com.