A graded and boxed copy of Pokemon Yellow for the Game Boy, valued at over $10,000, was allegedly destroyed by United States customs.
United States Customs and Border Protection reportedly destroyed a sealed and graded copy of Pokemon Yellow for the Game Boy, which could have been worth thousands of dollars. The grading of older and well-maintained video games has become a popular trend in recent years, and a boxed copy of Pokemon Yellow is considered a valuable rarity in 2023. However, shipping such a rare item internationally comes with certain risks, and the complete destruction of the item by customs was likely not something that was anticipated.
Video game grading is a process used by collectors to determine the authenticity, condition and value of a rare video game. The process typically involves taking a boxed or unboxed game and shipping it to a professional grading and certification service such as Wata Games or CGC Video Games. These companies employ experts who will evaluate the game's authenticity, assign it a grade on a 10-point scale, and securely seal it in a plastic casing with official information prominently displayed. This process creates a collector's item that is easier to compare with similar products, assign a value and be resold. The grading process gives a more accurate representation of the condition, authenticity and rarity of the item, which makes it easier for buyers and sellers to determine a fair price for the video game.
Nightdive Studio CEO Stephen Kick recently shared a story of a friend's unfortunate experience with US Customs and a Wata-graded copy of Pokemon Yellow for the Game Boy. According to Kick, while the package was being shipped through the mail, US Customs not only broke the acrylic case, discarded the seal of the graded game, but also cut off the front of the cardboard box of Pokemon Yellow to inspect its contents. As a result, the game is unlikely to regain its original 9.2 grade upon reevaluation. This is a very unfortunate experience for the collector as the game's value will significantly decrease after the damage. It highlights the risk of shipping a rare and valuable item through mail, and the importance of ensuring proper packaging and labeling to avoid damage from Customs inspection.
The value of an original sealed copy of Pokemon Yellow can vary greatly and is difficult to evaluate with certainty. A similar copy of Pokemon Yellow with a 9.4 rating is currently being sold for $10,500 on eBay. A 9.0-graded copy in Germany is being sold for EUR 11,500. However, the highest-value sold copy on eBay was just over $1,400 for a 9.0 grade. This means that the value of the game may be somewhere in the middle of this range.
Whether or not Kick's friend will be compensated for the damage to the game is uncertain. It may depend on whether the shipment was insured. The United States Postal Service does allow for collectibles to be insured based on their value, so it is possible that a claim for the full value of the sealed Pokemon Yellow could be made. Even without insurance, there may be enough evidence to show that the USPS intentionally destroyed the game for a claim to go through. However, the legalities of this situation are unclear given the powers US Customs agents have to inspect mail for contraband.
Overall, this is a nightmare scenario for any video game collector. The risk of a valuable package going missing, being stolen, or being damaged during shipping is one thing, but to have US Customs destroy a valuable collectible with reckless disregard is something else entirely. It is important to note that sealed copies of video games could be mistaken for a way to mail contraband and it is a tragedy for the collector who lost such a valuable item.