Pokébox Tin and Mini-Tin Pokémon

The Tin, a unique format in the Pokémon range
A Pokémon tin is a sealed metal box produced by The Pokémon Company International for each expansion cycle. While cardboard boxes warp over time, the metal tin is designed to last. It serves as retail packaging and then as reusable storage once the booster packs are extracted. This dual purpose, combined with often elaborate design, explains why vintage tins now circulate on the collector's market independently of the cards they contained.
The term "Pokébox" also refers to a booster box format, sometimes cardboard, sometimes metal. In practice, in the French catalog, Pokébox, Tin, and Metal Box are often used interchangeably.

Tin, Mini-Tin, Pokébox: the three formats to distinguish
Standard tin: a medium-sized metal box (approximately 15 × 13 × 7 cm) containing 3 to 4 booster packs + 1 holographic promo card of the featured Pokémon + sometimes a non-playable jumbo card. The most common format, centered on an iconic Pokémon (Charizard, Pikachu, Mewtwo, Arceus, Rayquaza...).
Mini-Tin: a small metal box (approximately 9 × 8 × 4 cm) containing two booster packs and one mini-sized Pokémon art card. No playable promo cards are included; the main appeal is the mini-tin itself. These are often sold in complete sets (six or eight models per wave) which collectors strive to collect in their entirety.
Multi-Tin Pokébox / Themed Box: A cardboard box containing several Tins in a single package. Allows you to acquire a complete series in one purchase, often with an additional promotional bonus.
The unique advantage of the Tin: the box as a collector's item

A Pokémon metal box can be collected on three distinct levels:
The sealed holo promo card inside
Sealed boosters, which follow the standard pull rates of the set
The metal box itself, which becomes the lasting treasure once the set is removed

Tins from older generations (Black & White, XY, Sun & Moon eras) now circulate at secondary prices higher than their original value, sometimes even empty of cards, simply for the collectible. This segment of the collector's market is very active in the United States and Japan, where databases document each item with its release year and Pokémon.
Mini-Tin Pokéball, a phenomenon apart
Mini-Tins of Poké Ball constitute a distinct segment of the market. Each series features a different Poké Ball (Classic Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, Master Ball, Timer Ball, Net Ball, etc.) with a themed Pokémon inside. Collectors seek to assemble the complete series of Mini-Tins from a single wave to create a cohesive display. Our complete series bundles eliminate the uncertainty of buying individual items and guarantee a complete set.

After opening: secondary use of the box
Once the boosters are extracted, the metal box is not thrown away. Its standard dimensions make it ideal for storing:
50 to 80 sleeved cards depending on the size of the box
Dice, tokens, counters, printed tokens for your TCG games
Energy cards or side-deck cards
Small collectible accessories (toploaders, extra sleeves)

Many players reuse a Pokémon Tin as an informal deckbox, in addition to an official closing deckbox.

Extensions available in our catalog
Mega Evolution (ME01): five Tin references, mostly on Mega Pokémon (Lucario, Gardevoir, Kangaskhan…)
Transcendent Heroes (ME2.5): Three Tin References
Nebula Fable (SV6.5): three Tin references focused on the key figures of the set
Black Lightning & White Flame (SV10.5): two Tin references, a re-release set from the original Black & White era
Mini-Tins Pokéball in complete sets available

French Tin vs. Japanese Tin: the concrete differences
French tins contain booster packs in the international format: 3 to 4 boosters of 10 cards each, for a total of 30 to 40 cards in the box. Japanese tins (OCG) contain booster packs in the Japanese format: 3 boosters of 5 cards each, for a total of 15 cards. The metal box is often identical in design, but the contents differ. For sheer volume of cards, the French tin remains more cost-effective. For print quality and access to Japanese Special Art Rares, the Japanese tin remains sought after by discerning collectors.

Also worth discovering
• Pokémon
• Pokémon Accessories
• Pokémon Import Asia
• Pokémon Booster Artset

See also
• By extension: Darkest Night (ME05) , Rising Chaos (ME04) , Perfect Balance (ME03) , Transcendent Heroes (ME2.5) , Phantasmagorical Flames (ME02) , Mega Evolution (ME01) , Pokémon 30th Anniversary
• Other formats: Pokémon displays of 36 booster packs , Pokémon Elite Trainer Boxes (ETB) , Pokémon bundles of 6 booster packs , Pokémon blisters, duopacks and tripacks , individual Pokémon booster packs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Pokébox and Mini Tin?
The Pokébox is a metal box containing several booster packs and a promo card. The Mini Tin is smaller and contains two booster packs.

Can Mini Tins be purchased by display?
Yes, some series exist in sealed displays of 10 Mini Tins, such as the 30th Anniversary Day & Night Mini Tin.

How to protect a metal box?
PET protectors made of Evoretro are available for Pokébox and Mini Tins, in the Pokémon accessories section.