NO SHRINK/OPEN BOX FAQ

1: Why was the shrink wrap removed?

In Japan, it is common for Pokémon Center and other official retailers to remove the shrink wrap from Pokémon trading card boxes at checkout to help reduce resale. These boxes still contain the same booster packs and cards as shrink-wrapped boxes, but they no longer have the original plastic seal.

2: What is the difference between No Shrink and Open Box?

No Shrink means only the outside plastic wrap was removed. The box itself has not been fully opened.

Open Box means the box was fully opened by the store in Japan at checkout. This is also done to reduce resale. The booster packs remain inside the box, and the contents have not been searched, weighed, or removed. All packs and hits are still in the box as originally intended.

3: Booster boxes without shrink wrap or open boxes should NOT be purchased from unknown vendors.

Even though many booster boxes have features designed to deter tampering, boxes without shrink wrap or boxes that have been opened can still be vulnerable to manipulation if purchased from an unfamiliar or untrusted source. Japanese trading cards are commonly resealed and repackaged by bad actors, so it is important to only buy from trusted sellers.

WE are your trusted card shop!

4: How do we verify legitimacy?

All boxes go through standard authenticity checks at both our partner Japanese shops and our US-based store. These checks include testing the cardboard tear-strip when applicable, checking for signs of bending, folding, glue, or prior tampering, and assessing the weight and feel of the box’s contents.

To qualify for our refund guarantee, you must record a video of the box and packs being opened. The box and packs MUST remain in camera view at all times. The video must include a visible timestamp, your name, and your order number. This helps prevent reused or edited videos.

No Shrink and Open Box products are intended to be opened, so they are not eligible for a refund due to dents or cosmetic damage to the box.

No Shrink and Open Box products may take 7-10 business days or more to ship. This delay is due to the large quantities we order and the time required to inspect and add tamper seals to each box. As always, we pay for all products in advance before selling them.