A standard, quietly upheld, on every piece.

Every collectible listed by Umami Vault is inspected in-hand before it enters the Vault.

We source from established dealers, auction houses and long-standing collector networks across Japan, Europe and the Middle East. Print quality, holo pattern, card stock, back registration and packaging characteristics are checked against reference material for each set.

• No replicas.
• No counterfeit items.
• Only authentic collectibles — verified before listing.

If a piece cannot be authenticated with confidence, it does not enter the Vault. Full stop.

Raw cards are described using a five-tier scale. These grades reflect our in-house assessment, not a prediction of any future third-party grading result.

• Near Mint (NM) — sharp corners, clean edges, glossy surface. Only the faintest handling under close inspection.
• Excellent (EX) — very light wear on one or two corners or edges. Surface remains clean and centered.
• Light Play (LP) — minor whitening on edges or corners, or a small surface mark visible at an angle.
• Moderate Play (MP) — clear signs of play — edge wear, scratches or a soft crease that does not break the card.
• Heavy Play (HP) — significant wear, creases or surface damage. Priced accordingly for the collector who values the print itself.

Graded cards are sold exactly as certified by PSA, Beckett, CGC, TAG or the grading company noted on the slab. The grade printed on the label is the grade you receive.

Slabs may show minor handling marks — light scuffs on the outer case — while remaining factory sealed. These are cosmetic to the case only and do not affect the certified card inside.

Certification numbers are published in every listing so you can verify each piece directly with the grading company before or after purchase.

Sealed products — booster boxes, elite trainer boxes, sealed decks and equivalent — remain factory sealed unless explicitly stated otherwise on the listing.

Packaging may show minor storage or transportation wear consistent with a product that has moved between distributors, dealers and the Vault. Where wear is more than incidental, it is described and photographed.

Vintage pieces are treated with restraint. Age-related characteristics — light yellowing on old cardboard, softened corners on decades-old packaging, patina on metallic finishes — are part of what makes these pieces authentic.

Wherever possible we preserve original condition rather than restoring or altering collectibles. Any conservation work is disclosed in the listing.

Whenever possible, you receive the exact item shown in the listing. When a listing represents multiple identical units — new sealed product, for example — the photography is representative and this is stated on the page.

• Images are colour-corrected only.
• Products are never digitally altered to hide imperfections.
• Close-up shots are provided for any notable condition detail.

Umami Vault values transparency over making a sale.

If a piece has defects, scratches or imperfections, they are disclosed — in the description, in the photography and, where relevant, in the badge on the product card. Collectors deserve accurate information before purchasing, not after.

This standard is the reason the Vault exists. It is why collectors return to us across continents, and it is not negotiable.