{"id":443709,"date":"2025-04-16T14:44:37","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T06:44:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/?p=443709"},"modified":"2025-04-16T17:58:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T09:58:35","slug":"snkrdunk-unsealed-no-shrink-pokemon-tcg-box-authenticate-tips-to-spot-real-vs-fake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snkrdunk.com\/en\/magazine\/2025\/04\/16\/snkrdunk-unsealed-no-shrink-pokemon-tcg-box-authenticate-tips-to-spot-real-vs-fake\/","title":{"rendered":"SNKRDUNK Now Offers “No Shrink” Pok\u00e9mon TCG Boxes! Expert Tips to Spot Real vs. Fake"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Until now, SNKRDUNK only accepted sealed Pok\u00e9mon TCG booster boxes (with original shrink wrap) for sale. But now, the platform has expanded its policy\u2014allowing select products to be soled even without shrink wrap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how does SNKRDUNK ensure the authenticity of these unsealed boxes? We sat down with professional trading card authenticator Asagi-san to unpack their rigorous verification process and answer the community\u2019s biggest questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Could Unsealed Pok\u00e9mon TCG Boxes Go Mainstream?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\u25aa SNKRDUNK\u2019s decision to now handle unsealed booster boxes feels like a smart response to market trends. But as a collector, the question is: “How will authentication actually work for these?” Could you walk us through the process?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Absolutely. Today, I\u2019ll explain everything we can disclose about our authentication approach.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u25aa Firstly, which Pok\u00e9mon TCG products qualify for this “no shrink” trading option?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The policy applies to booster boxes from the Scarlet & Violet series<\/a> (2023 onward)\u2014specifically those with the double-zip perforated seams (what collectors often call the “peelable” seal). This includes sets like “Heat Wave Arena<\/a>” and the upcoming “The Glory of Team Rocket<\/a>“, slated for release on 18 April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Browse <\/strong>“No Shrink<\/strong>“ Booster Boxes<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\u25aa It’s great to hear you’ll authenticate the new “The Glory of Team Rocket” set too! What prompted SNKRDUNK to start verifying unsealed boxes now?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We’ve seen a major shift in retail trends\u2014many electronics stores now routinely remove shrink wrap before selling TCG products. We’ve been getting increasing requests from users saying, “We need authentication for boxes without shrink wrap” or “Can you verify boxes with damaged packaging?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our authentication team has been carefully evaluating this for quite some time. Another significant factor was The Pok\u00e9mon Company’s 2023 patent application regarding shrink wrap technology, which became quite a talking point in the TCG community. This industry development further confirmed the need to adapt our verification processes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u25aa That patent sounds interesting! What exactly does it cover?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Simply put, it’s a packaging patent requiring retailers to remove shrink wrap at checkout. The technical description involves “a shrink film with colored sections that prevent barcode scanning until removed.” If implemented, this would mean legitimate products would officially enter circulation without shrink wrap.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u25aa When can we expect to see this in stores?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While the patent has been granted, rollout hasn’t begun yet. However, the fact that The Pok\u00e9mon Company secured this patent suggests implementation could happen sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Risk of Purchasing Non-Authenticated Boxes from Flea Market Apps<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\u25aa First, what are the inherent risks of buying unopened booster boxes through peer-to-peer marketplaces?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whether sealed or not, secondary market platforms without professional authentication services struggle to prevent box tampering\u2014particularly “seal-switching”, where contents are removed and replaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The risk is especially acute on P2P apps where transactions rely solely on photos and descriptions, making it extremely difficult for average collectors to spot fakes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u25aa So professional authentication is absolutely essential then.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exactly. At SNKRDUNK, our verification goes beyond physical inspection by experienced authenticators\u2014we’ve integrated technological authentication systems as well. For boxes with even slight irregularities, we conduct multi-authenticator reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, as our rigorous authentication standards have become better known in the market, we’ve seen a decrease in the percentage of counterfeit items submitted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A cautionary post shared on X<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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