Don't Just Bring Pokémon Cards from Abroad, There is a Duty-Free Limit

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Pokémon cards, or Trading Card Games (TCGs), brought back from overseas are still subject to customs inspection. These collectible items must be declared to customs officials if their value exceeds the duty-free limit for personal belongings. Hengky Tomuan Parlindungan Aritonang, Head of the Main Service Office of Type C Customs and Excise at Soekarno Hatta, said that this regulation applies to all personal belongings brought in from overseas, including collectible items such as Pokémon cards. “However, there is no need to worry, because there is a duty-free facility for personal belongings with a value of up to $500 per person per arrival,” Hengky told Kompas.com on Friday (15/5/2026). This means that passengers can still bring Pokémon cards back from overseas without any problems as long as the total value does not exceed $500 per person per arrival. The number of cards brought must also be reasonable for personal use or personal collection. Conversely, the items may be treated as ordinary imported goods if the quantity is deemed unreasonable for personal use or appears to be for commercial purposes. These items may then be subject to duties and taxes in accordance with applicable regulations. Therefore, high-value Pokémon cards must still be declared if brought from overseas and exceed the duty-free limit for personal belongings. Soekarno Hatta Customs previously reported the discovery of thousands of Pokémon cards brought by passengers on international flights from Manila to Jakarta.