Pokémon Company Introduces ID-Protected Packs to Combat Scalping
The Pokémon Company is limiting certain Trading Card Game packs to Japanese citizens only, in an effort to curb scalping. Four exclusive packs will require a Japanese ID card for purchase, starting with the Digital Identification App. This move affects buyers worldwide, excluding non-Japanese citizens from accessing these items.
Key points
- The Pokémon Company is introducing ID-guarded protections for specific items on its online store, limiting access to Japanese citizens.
- Four packs are affected: the Pokémon Card Game Mega Expansion Pack 30th Celebration Box, the Pokémon Card Game Mega 30th Celebration Futuristic Box, the Pokémon Card Game Mega 30th Celebration Espeon and Umbreon Premium Deck Set, and the Pokémon Card Game Mega 30th Celebration Card Set.
- Buyers will need to use the Digital Identification App, a free, secure online tool, alongside their My Number Card to make these purchases.
- The move is aimed at discouraging scalpers, but its impact on the global market and potential demand for these packs remains to be seen.
- The packs will be available starting with the implementation of the Digital Identification App, which was first announced in July 2026.
The Pokémon Company has taken a bold step to combat scalping in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) by introducing ID-guarded protections for specific items on its online store. This move affects buyers worldwide, excluding non-Japanese citizens from accessing these items.
The affected packs include the Pokémon Card Game Mega Expansion Pack 30th Celebration Box, priced at 7,200 Yen ($46 USD), the Pokémon Card Game Mega 30th Celebration Futuristic Box, priced at 27,500 Yen ($174 USD), the Pokémon Card Game Mega 30th Celebration Espeon and Umbreon Premium Deck Set, priced at 6,200 yen ($39 USD), and the Pokémon Card Game Mega 30th Celebration Card Set, priced at 10,800 Yen ($68 USD).
To purchase these packs, buyers will need to use the Digital Identification App, a free, secure online tool that allows citizens to sign documents and verify their identities online. This app will be used alongside the My Number Card, a plastic IC-chip card for residents that acts both as an official photo ID and a digital tool to more easily access government services.
The move is aimed at discouraging scalpers, but its impact on the global market and potential demand for these packs remains to be seen. The Pokémon Company's decision to limit access to these packs may have significant implications for the TCG community, particularly for collectors and enthusiasts outside of Japan.
The implementation of the Digital Identification App was first announced in July 2026, and it is expected to be rolled out soon. The exact date of the rollout has not been confirmed, but it is likely to happen in the coming weeks.
The Pokémon Company's decision to introduce ID-guarded protections for specific items on its online store is a significant development in the world of TCG. It remains to be seen how this move will affect the market and the community, but one thing is certain - it will have a lasting impact on the way Pokémon TCG packs are sold and distributed.
Sources
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