Grading basics · Grading company guides
CGC Card Grading Review: Is CGC a Good Choice for UK Collectors?
CGC came to trading cards from comics and coins, bringing a reputation for strict, consistent grading. For UK collectors its biggest selling point is closer to home: a London office that takes submissions in pounds. Here is how CGC works and where it fits.
CGC Cards is part of the Certified Collectibles Group, a long-established grader of comics and coins. It grades on a 1–10 scale in half grades with Pristine 10 above Gem Mint 10, has a UK office in London and offers some of the lowest bulk prices of the major graders. CGC 10s usually sell below PSA 10s but well above raw, which makes CGC strong value for modern Pokémon.
What CGC does
CGC Cards authenticates and grades trading cards and seals them in a clear, thin-framed slab with a high-security label. Every card gets a certification number you can look up on CGC’s website, and CGC publishes its own population report. Subgrades are available but optional, so you can keep the label simple or add the detail.
Behind CGC is the Certified Collectibles Group (CCG), which also owns the coin grader NGC. That background matters: the group has decades of experience with tamper-evident holders, imaging and grading standards across many collectibles.
| Full name | Certified Guaranty Company (CGC Cards) |
|---|---|
| Group | Certified Collectibles Group, also owner of NGC |
| Comic grading since | 2000 |
| Card grading since | 2020 (TCGs), with sports cards added later |
| Grades in | United States, with a UK office in London |
| Scale | 1–10 in half grades, Gem Mint 10 and Pristine 10 |
CGC’s history and reputation
CGC launched in 2000 as a comic book grader and became the standard for graded comics. In 2020, as card prices took off, it opened CGC Trading Cards to grade Pokémon, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh! and other TCGs. It later folded its sports card brand into CGC Cards, so one label now covers TCG and sports.
CGC earned a reputation for tough, consistent grading. For a while its top grade was Pristine 10, with Gem Mint at 9.5; in 2023 it introduced a Gem Mint 10 to sit just below Pristine, making its labels easier to compare with PSA’s. CGC is now the only one of the big four card graders that isn’t owned by Collectors, the parent of PSA, SGC and Beckett.
Among UK collectors, the London office has made CGC a popular alternative to sending cards to the US, especially for bulk modern Pokémon.
Which cards does CGC grade?
CGC grades Pokémon (English, Japanese and other languages), Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Disney Lorcana, Dragon Ball, Digimon, Weiss Schwarz and many other TCGs, plus sports and non-sport cards. It also grades some oversized cards and promos, and authenticates autographs. As always, check CGC’s list before sending unusual sizes or games.
CGC grading prices: UK office and US
CGC prices by declared value. The UK office charges in pounds; UK prices are shown before VAT, and UK residents pay 20% VAT on top. These figures come from CGC’s official fee tables, checked 24 October 2026.
| Tier | CGC UK (London) | Max. value (UK) | CGC US | Max. value (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulk (min. 25 cards) | £14 | £400 | $17 | $500 |
| Economy | £17 | £800 | $20 | $1,000 |
| Standard | £45 | £2,500 | $55 | $3,000 |
| Express | £80 | £8,000 | $100 | $10,000 |
| WalkThrough | £240 | £80,000 | $300 | $100,000 |
CGC’s bulk tier is one of the cheapest routes to a slab from a major international grader. Our CGC submission guide and calculator works out the total cost, including VAT and shipping, for either office.
CGC turnaround times
At the London office, CGC lists about 50 business days across its tiers. In the US, faster tiers are quicker: around 10 business days for Standard and 2 for WalkThrough, with Bulk the slowest at around 150. The London office saves at least a week each way compared with posting to the US yourself.
How to submit cards to CGC from the UK
- Use CGC’s UK website to create an online submission and choose a tier for each card.
- Put each card in a penny sleeve and a Card Saver I semi-rigid holder.
- Print the submission form, pack the cards tightly and mark the box with the tier code if CGC asks.
- Post the parcel to CGC’s London office by tracked, insured delivery. There is no customs form for UK senders.
- Track your order online and check each certification number when the slabs arrive.
EU collectors can use the London office too, paying their own import VAT on the fee and return shipping. Our CGC guide lists the step-by-step details and cheapest supplies.
CGC’s grading scale explained
| Grade | Name | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Pristine | Virtually flawless under magnification, with near-perfect centering. |
| 10 | Gem Mint | Excellent card with only the tiniest imperfections. |
| 9.5 | Mint+ | Very close to a 10, with one tiny flaw. |
| 9 | Mint | Sharp with minor flaws. |
| 8.5–8 | NM/Mint+ to NM/Mint | Light wear visible on close inspection. |
| 7 and below | Near Mint down to Poor | Increasing wear and damage. |
The Pristine 10 is CGC’s top label and usually sells above a CGC Gem Mint 10. Optional subgrades show centering, corners, edges and surface scores. If you want to know which flaws cost points, read how to spot surface scratches and what is whitening?
Advantages and disadvantages of CGC
Advantages
- A UK office in London, priced in pounds, with no customs for UK senders.
- Cheap bulk grading from a major international grader.
- Strict, consistent standards and a Pristine 10 above Gem Mint.
- Clear slabs that show off card art, and optional subgrades.
- Independent of the group that owns PSA, SGC and Beckett.
Disadvantages
- CGC 10s usually sell for less than PSA 10s.
- Strict grading means fewer 10s on borderline cards.
- UK turnaround is not especially fast compared with ACE.
- UK prices are before VAT, so UK residents pay 20% more than the headline figure.
Does CGC grading increase resale value?
Yes, for cards in excellent condition. A CGC Pristine 10 can sell close to, or occasionally above, a PSA 10, while a CGC Gem Mint 10 typically sits below a PSA 10 but well above a PSA 9 and far above raw. Some sellers buy CGC 10s cheaply and try to cross them over to PSA, though that only works if PSA agrees with the grade.
Search the card on Search Cards to see its CGC and PSA values side by side and work out whether the CGC route pays.
CGC vs PSA, ACE, Beckett and TAG
- CGC vs PSA: PSA sells for more; CGC is cheaper to reach from the UK and its Pristine 10 is a recognised step above Gem Mint.
- CGC vs ACE: both avoid customs; CGC is better known internationally, while ACE is usually faster and includes subgrades.
- CGC vs Beckett: both use half grades and a Pristine 10; Beckett’s subgrades are always on the label.
- CGC vs TAG: TAG’s imaging report is more detailed; CGC has a longer history and a UK office.
Who is CGC best for?
- UK and EU collectors who want an internationally known grader without US shipping.
- Bulk submitters of modern Pokémon and other TCGs.
- Collectors who like clear slabs and a strict, consistent grade.
- Anyone hunting a Pristine 10.
Bulk grading starts with bulk buying, cheaply
CGC’s bulk tier works best when every card in the batch was bought at a fair price. Search each card on searchcards.co to compare the cheapest live listings with what it has actually sold for, and skip anything priced above its graded value. For new-set pulls, compare the cost of sealed products against buying singles. Then pre-grade your best copies and use the cost calculator to check the batch total, including VAT, before you post.
Frequently asked questions
Does CGC have an office in the UK?
Yes. CGC Cards UK in London takes submissions from the UK and Europe, priced in pounds.
What is the difference between CGC Pristine 10 and Gem Mint 10?
Pristine 10 is CGC’s top grade for virtually flawless cards with near-perfect centering. Gem Mint 10 sits just below it and allows the tiniest imperfections.
Is CGC grading good for Pokémon cards?
Yes. CGC grades a large volume of Pokémon, is known for consistent standards and has a cheap bulk tier. CGC slabs usually sell for less than PSA but well above raw cards.
How much does CGC grading cost in the UK?
At CGC’s London office, Bulk was £14 per card (minimum 25) and Economy £17 when we checked, plus VAT for UK residents and shipping.
Is CGC owned by PSA?
No. CGC belongs to the Certified Collectibles Group. PSA, SGC and Beckett are owned by Collectors.
Prices, tiers and turnaround times were checked in October 2026 and grading companies change them often. Always confirm on the company’s official website before you submit. Search Cards is independent and not affiliated with ACE, PSA, CGC, Beckett or TAG.
Buy the card at the right price, predict its grade and work out the full cost before you submit.
CGC submission guide and calculator → Pre-grade for CGC Search CGC and PSA prices Sealed product prices