How to Check Pokémon TCG Stock Before Shipping

When a supplier says “yes, we have stock,” there are still a few things to check. Do they have the exact Pokémon product you want? How many units can they supply? And are those units being held for your order?

For a card shop, online reseller or livestream seller, these answers affect what you can promise your own customers. A product photo is useful, but it is only the start of the conversation.

Start with a direct question: “Do you have these goods with you, or do you still need to get them from someone else?”

A supplier may have the goods on hand, be waiting for a delivery, or plan to buy them from a partner. Those situations call for different delivery plans. A preorder or expected allocation also needs to be treated differently from stock already in the warehouse.

If the goods have not arrived, ask when they are expected and what happens if they arrive late or the quantity is short. You can then decide whether the order fits your schedule before taking orders from your own customers.

“Ten boxes” is not a complete order. You need the language, full product name and box format too.

Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese are different versions. Even within one release, there can be different pack formats. Pokémon's official Simplified Chinese product announcement, listed below, gives an example with five-card and twenty-card packs.

Keep a separate line for each item, with:

An official product image helps identify an item. It does not show whether a supplier has it, how much they have, or what condition it is in.

Ask whether the photos show the goods intended for your order or just an example of the same product. That distinction matters if you are selling sealed boxes and customers care about their condition.

A useful set of photos shows the quantity, product labels and any relevant seals or damaged areas. For a mixed order, a short video may make the contents easier to follow. A dated note with the order reference can help link the images to your request; it does not need to show private payment or address details.

Photos help you check an order. They do not, on their own, prove authenticity or confirm that the stock has been reserved. Our authenticity and sourcing guide covers the separate questions about where goods come from.

The right product in the right quantity can still be wrong for your shop if the packaging is damaged.

If you sell sealed boxes to collectors, ask to see crushed corners, dents or seal damage before accepting them. You may need to leave those units out of the order or describe the damage when you sell them.

If you plan to open the boxes yourself, some cosmetic wear may matter less. Still check whether the contents could be affected. Do not assume your livestream audience will accept damaged goods just because you intend to open them.

For singles, agree on the actual cards and their condition. For a mixed bundle, make sure both sides understand what is fixed and what may vary. You should be able to describe what you are buying to the next customer.

“Available” and “reserved for your order” can mean different things. Ask the supplier to explain which applies.

If they agree to hold the stock, confirm how long the hold lasts, whether a deposit is required, and what happens if you change the order. These are terms to agree with that supplier, not a standard reservation policy.

If the hold expires while you arrange payment or freight, check again. An earlier photo does not tell you whether the same quantity is still available.

Once the order is ready, compare the final packing list with what you agreed to buy. Check the items, quantities and any condition exceptions. Confirm the number of shipping cartons separately from the number of retail boxes or packs.

If something has changed, settle it before dispatch. A missing item might mean accepting a smaller order, waiting for the rest or agreeing on a refund. A different product should not be substituted without your agreement.

Keep the final list and packing photos. They give you something concrete to compare with the delivery when it arrives.

You do not need to send a supplier a long checklist. Start with:

“Which items are in stock, and how many are available? Please send current photos and confirm how long you can hold the goods. Before shipping, please confirm the final quantities and any changes.”

Follow up on anything unclear. If the supplier still cannot confirm the product, quantity or dispatch plan, you do not yet have enough information to promise that stock to your customers.