Guides

Practical guides for collectors buying Japanese Pokémon and One Piece cards from overseas.

• Japanese Pokémon Card 151 (SV2a): what to know before you buy
  A buyer's guide to the Japanese Pokémon Card 151 set (SV2a): box contents, the rarities to look for, raw vs PSA, and how to buy it from Japan.
• Japanese vs English Pokémon cards: the differences that matter
  How Japanese Pokémon cards differ from English ones: release timing, set structure, pack size, card stock, rarity names and value.
• Japanese Pokémon card rarities explained (AR, SAR, SR, UR, CHR and more)
  What the rarity codes on Japanese Pokémon cards mean, from C and U to AR, SAR, SR, HR, UR, CHR and CSR, era by era.
• How to read Japanese set codes and card numbers
  Decode the set code and card number printed on Japanese Pokémon and One Piece cards (SV2a, SM12a, OP-01, PRB-01) to identify exactly which card you are buying.
• Buying Japanese booster boxes: contents, shrink wrap and shipping
  What you get in a Japanese Pokémon or One Piece booster box, how to tell a factory-sealed box, and how boxes are shipped from Japan.
• Japanese One Piece Card Game cards: a collector's guide
  Why collectors buy Japanese One Piece cards: release timing, rarities (Leader, SR, SEC, parallel, manga-style), set codes and what to look for.
• Raw vs PSA graded Japanese cards: which should you buy?
  When to buy a raw Near Mint Japanese card and when a PSA-graded slab is worth it, and what we send you before shipping either one.
• How to buy Pokémon and One Piece cards from Japan
  The options for buying Japanese trading cards from overseas — proxy services, marketplaces and direct shops — and what to check on price, shipping and duties.
• How we verify
• Shipping & duties

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