Chinese Pokémon cards: official or counterfeit?
Yes, there are perfectly official Chinese Pokémon cards: since 2022, The Pokémon Company has published the TCG in Simplified Chinese for mainland China, in addition to the Traditional Chinese cards already sold in Taiwan and Hong Kong. The problem is that China is also the source of many counterfeits, and the two easily get mixed up in online listings. Here's how we tell them apart, and what you need to know before buying.
Simplified and Traditional Chinese: two separate markets
When people talk about "Chinese cards", they often lump together two official ranges that have nothing to do with each other:
- Traditional Chinese: the long-standing range, distributed in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Its sets generally follow the structure of the Japanese sets.
- Simplified Chinese: the mainland China range. Its official launch was announced on 21 September 2022 by Pokémon Shanghai Toy, The Pokémon Company's subsidiary in China, and the first set (Storming Emergence) was released on 28 October 2022.
On Rarix, the "Chinese" label in our Chinese-language selection means Simplified Chinese, i.e. products intended for the mainland China market.
How Chinese sets work
Simplified Chinese doesn't just translate the Japanese sets one by one. The main sets, identifiable by their CSV code followed by a number and a "C" (CSV9C, CSV10C…), often combine the contents of several Japanese sets into a single, larger set. The schedule is therefore offset from Japan and Europe, and the set structure is different.
Another distinctive feature: these sets regularly add an exclusive card that doesn't exist in any other language. For example, Terastal Gathering (CSV9.5C) contains an exclusive special illustration of Sylveon ex, and Chasing Glory Together (CSV10C) an exclusive version of the Supporter card "Brock's Scouting". It's these exclusives that are attracting more and more European collectors.
Finally, depending on the set, boosters come in several sizes. Chasing Glory Together, for instance, is available in 5-card and 20-card boosters, whereas Terastal Gathering only comes in 10-card boosters.
Gem Packs, a format unique to China
The Gem Pack range (codes CBB1C, CBB2C, etc.) has no direct equivalent in Europe. The first volume was released in China on 17 January 2025 with a simple concept: four-card boosters, all holographic. Each volume follows a theme (the heroes of the anime Pokémon Horizons, nocturnal Pokémon, spring…) and features its own illustrations. Several volumes have followed since, making it a small collection in its own right.
Alongside these boosters, the Chinese market also offers plenty of themed boxes: coin sets, badges, keyrings or seasonal boxes tied to Chinese New Year or the Dragon Boat Festival.
Official or counterfeit: the warning signs
A "Chinese" counterfeit isn't a product in Chinese: it's a fake, whatever language is printed on it. In fact, many fakes circulate in English or Japanese. Here's what should set alarm bells ringing:
- A set name you can't find anywhere: every official product corresponds to a set listed in recognised databases. A code or name that doesn't appear anywhere is a bad sign.
- A mix of languages: packaging that combines Chinese and English inconsistently, or Chinese cards in the middle of a supposedly Japanese product.
- Poor print quality: dull colours, blurry text, flat holo or card stock that's too thin and too glossy.
- Unrealistic rare card rates: a booster where every card is a gold ultra rare, when the official format doesn't provide for that.
- A seller who can't tell you where the stock comes from.
To go further, our checklist for spotting a fake booster box details the points to check on a sealed box.
Why collect in Simplified Chinese
The reasons are mostly aesthetic and collecting-related: exclusive cards you won't find anywhere else, original formats like Gem Packs, and beautifully designed boxes. Just bear in mind that these cards aren't legal in official tournaments held in Europe, where only certain European languages are allowed. It's a collector's choice, then, not a competitive player's.
If you're still unsure about the language, our guide Japanese or French booster box can help you compare.
Our advice before buying
First identify the exact product (set code, booster type, box name), then compare it with the official references. If you have any doubt about an item in our catalogue, add it to your request list or contact us: we'll tell you exactly which product it is and what it contains.
Frequently asked questions
Are Simplified Chinese Pokémon cards official?
Yes. They have been published for mainland China by Pokémon Shanghai Toy, The Pokémon Company's subsidiary, since October 2022. They are official products just like French or Japanese cards.
Can you play Chinese cards in tournaments in Europe?
No. Official European tournaments only accept certain languages (including French and English). Chinese cards are therefore for collecting or casual play with friends.
What is a Gem Pack?
It's a booster range unique to the Chinese market, launched in January 2025, where each booster contains four cards, all holographic, built around a different theme for each volume.
What does the "C" in CSV10C mean?
It indicates the (Simplified) Chinese version of the set. CSV refers to the Scarlet & Violet series, and the number gives the set's position in the Chinese range.