Grading guide
How to Submit Cards for Grading, Step by Step
Sending cards to be graded is simple once you know the order of the steps. Here is the whole path, from picking the card to checking the certificate on the slab that comes back.
The whole process in one minute
Every grading company works in roughly the same way: you create an account, pick a service level, fill in an online form listing your cards, pack them, ship them insured, wait, and then receive them sealed in a slab with a grade on the label.
The details differ by company, and fees, turnaround times, service names and accepted card types change often. So the golden rule is simple: do the final steps from the company's own website, not from a blog or a video. This guide gives you the order and the habits that help.
Step 1: Choose what to grade
Grade a card when it looks to be in excellent condition and the graded price could clearly beat the raw price plus all costs. Cards you love and want to protect are a fine reason too.
Check that the company accepts your card. Companies publish lists of the card types and sizes they take, and some do not accept certain games, older cards or very thick cards. Read that list first. For the money side, see Is Card Grading Worth It? and the free grading calculator.
Step 2: Inspect the card yourself
Look at the four things graders look at: centering, corners, edges and surface. Use a bright, even light and look at the card from different angles. Tilt it to spot scratches and dents in the gloss, and check the back as well as the front.
- Centering: are the borders even left to right and top to bottom?
- Corners: sharp, or soft and whitened?
- Edges: clean, or chipped and rough?
- Surface: any scratches, print lines, dents or staining?
Be honest with yourself. A card with one clear flaw rarely comes back as a top grade. First make sure you really own the right card: the variants guide helps, and the U.C.M scanner can identify it and show its raw price for free.
Step 3: Clean carefully and protect
Do not rub a card hard or use liquids. If there is loose dust, a soft, clean cloth is the most you should try. Anything stronger can add scratches that graders will notice, and some companies will not grade cards that look altered.
As general collector practice, slide the card into a soft sleeve and then into a rigid holder that fits, so it cannot bend or shift. Handle it by the edges with clean, dry hands. Your chosen company may ask for a particular holder type, so follow its instructions where they differ from this advice.
Step 4: Pick a service level and order
On the company's website you create a free or paid account, choose a service level and complete the online submission form. Service levels usually depend on the value of your card and how fast you want the result, and the company's own page lists the current names and limits.
You will be asked for a declared value. CGC, for example, says it uses the declared value to insure cards while they are at its facility, and the value also decides which service level applies. Some forms let you enter cards in bulk with fewer details, others ask for each card; incomplete descriptions can bring an extra charge, so fill the form in fully.
Step 5: Pack and ship insured
Pack the cards so they cannot move or be crushed: a sturdy box, firm padding, and the cards held flat. Put in whatever paperwork the company requires, such as the printed order form, and seal the box.
Ship with a tracked, insured service and keep your receipt and the tracking number. Some companies, such as TAG, sell a submission kit that includes a lockable case and prepaid shipping, so check whether that applies to you. Take photos of your cards before you send them, as a record of their condition.
Step 6: Track and wait
Use the company's tracking tool. CGC, for instance, offers a free submission tracker that shows when your order is received, graded and shipped back. Grades appear online once the status reaches shipped, and its customer service does not give grades by phone or email.
Turnaround depends on the company and the service level, and it can change with demand, so read the current estimate on the company's own page rather than trusting an old number you saw elsewhere.
Step 7: What comes back and how to verify it
You get your cards back in sealed slabs, each with a label showing the grade and a certificate number. Do not open the slab. CGC says removing a card from its holder voids any guarantee, and re-grading means resubmitting it as a raw card.
Check each certificate on the company's own lookup page: the number, grade and card details should match the label. TAG and CGC labels also carry a QR code to an online page for the card. If you ever buy a slabbed card from someone else, run the same check yourself.
Questions
Do I need an account to submit cards for grading?
Most companies ask you to create an account and complete an online order form before shipping. CGC, for example, says a free account is enough. Check the company's own submission page for what it currently requires and for any membership options.
What is a declared value and why does it matter?
It is the value you state for each card. CGC says it uses the declared value to insure cards while they are at its facility, and it can decide your service level. Be honest and realistic, and check the company's own help page.
Should I send cards in a slab I already have?
Companies generally want cards raw (not already slabbed) for a fresh grade. CGC says removing a card from its holder voids any guarantee, and re-grading requires resubmitting the card as a raw card. Follow the company's own crossover or review rules.
How long will grading take and what will it cost?
Both change often and differ by company and service level, so we do not quote them. Read the current fees and turnaround estimates on the grading company's own services page right before you order.
How do I know my graded card is genuine?
Look up the certificate number on the company's own website and compare the grade, card details and images with your slab. Many labels also have a QR code. Never trust a lookup link supplied by a seller.
Official sources and further reading
We checked this guide against the publisher's own pages. Rules and products change, so always confirm the details there.
More collector guides
Card names and images belong to their owners. U.C.M is an independent app and is not affiliated with any card game publisher or grading company. General information, not financial advice.