Bringing Pokémon Cards from Abroad? Understand These Customs Regulations

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The growing trend of importing Pokémon cards has prompted the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJCB) to remind passengers on international flights to understand the regulations regarding imported goods, including collectible cards or trading card games (TCGs).

The Head of the Main Service Office of Customs and Excise Type C Soekarno-Hatta, Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang, stated that Pokémon cards still fall under the category of passenger baggage subject to customs supervision.

These provisions are regulated in the Minister of Finance Regulation (PMK) Number 34 of 2025, which is an amendment to PMK Number 203 of 2017 concerning Provisions on the Export and Import of Goods Carried by Passengers and Crew of Transport Facilities.

“All passenger baggage from abroad, including collectible cards such as Pokémon Cards, remains under the supervision of Customs,” Hengky said in a statement on Saturday (May 16, 2026).

The government provides facilities for the exemption of import duties for passenger baggage with a value of up to $500 per person per arrival, or approximately IDR 8.7 million (exchange rate of IDR 17,500 per dollar).

“As long as the total value of the Pokémon Cards brought is within this limit and the quantity is considered for personal use or a personal collection, the process will generally not be a problem,” said Hengky.

However, he reminded that different treatment will be applied if the number of Pokémon cards brought is deemed excessive for a personal collection and appears to be for commercial purposes.

In such cases, the goods may be treated as ordinary imported goods and subject to import duties and taxes in accordance with applicable regulations.

Hengky said that Pokémon cards in the PSA Grade category have high economic value.

This type of card has undergone a certification and quality assessment process by an international appraisal agency.

Therefore, high-value Pokémon cards must still be declared if brought from abroad and exceed the limit for duty-free passenger baggage.

Thus, Hengky advises passengers to keep proof of purchase, such as receipts, invoices, or transaction history, as supporting documents if needed during inspection.

“Make sure to bring only what you need, declare honestly, and prepare the supporting documents,” he said.

According to Hengky, the main principle of Customs supervision is not to complicate matters for passengers, but to ensure that the import of goods from abroad is carried out in an orderly and fair manner.

“Customs is here not to complicate things, but to ensure that the import process runs smoothly and fairly for all parties,” he said.