Guides

Buying Japanese cards, explained

Taxes, fees, marketplaces and the traps — written for U.S. TCG buyers, kept current as the rules change.

U.S. Import Tax on Japanese Pokémon Cards in 2026

The flat 10% surcharge (expires July 24, 2026), carrier clearance fees, no more de minimis — with a worked example.

Public rates, packing standards, inspection and when each proxy service is the right choice — honestly.

Japanese search terms that work, condition terms decoded, scam red flags, and the all-in cost.