Get your cards graded: pick a company, prep your cards, know the cost
Choose the grading service you want to use, follow a step-by-step guide to preparing and posting your cards, and work out exactly what it will cost against your budget, in euros or pounds. Every guide links to the grading company's official website.
Which grading service do you want to use?
Prices per card, before shippingProfessional Sports Authenticator
The most traded graded cards. PSA 10s usually sell for the most, and buyers recognise the slab everywhere.
Certified Guaranty Company
Strict, consistent grading and the cheapest bulk tier of the big graders. It has its own office in London, so it is the easiest to reach from the UK.
Beckett Grading Services
Subgrades show exactly why a card got its grade. A BGS Black Label 10 is one of the most valuable slabs in the hobby.
Sportscard Guaranty
The black "tuxedo" slab that makes card art stand out. Popular for vintage cards and quick expedited service.
Technical Authentication & Grading
Computer-imaging grading with a detailed report showing every flaw it found. The fee doesn't go up with the card's value.
Grading budget calculator
Compare the grading companies
| Company | Cheapest open tier | Turnaround | Fastest | Where you send cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA (United States)1 to 10, with half grades from 1.5 to 8.5 | €53.60Standard | 90–100 business days | Express20–30 business days · €177.79 | Post to the US |
| CGC Cards UK (London)1 to 10 in half grades, with Gem Mint 10 and Pristine 10 at the top | €16.72Bulk · min. 25 cards | 50 business days | Bulk50 business days · €16.72 | London |
| CGC (United States)1 to 10 in half grades, with Gem Mint 10 and Pristine 10 at the top | €15.19Bulk · min. 25 cards | 150 business days | WalkThrough2 business days · €268.02 | Post to the US |
| Beckett (United States)1 to 10 in half grades, with four subgrades (centering, corners, edges, surface) and a Black Label for perfect 10s | €16.04Base (with subgrades) | 75+ business days | Express15 business days · €71.43 | Post to the US |
| SGC (United States)1 to 10 in half grades, with Pristine 10 at the top | €44.67Standard | 40+ business days | Expedited2–3 business days · €134.01 | Post to the US |
| TAG (United States)1 to 10, plus a 1,000-point TAG Score from computer imaging on Standard tiers and above | €35.69Base · min. 5 cards | 60 business days | Premier3–5 business days · €267.98 | Post to the US |
How to prepare cards for grading, step by step
Check the card is worth grading
Look the card up on Search Cards and compare its ungraded value with what it sells for at the grade you realistically expect, e.g. PSA 9 or 10. Grading pays off when that graded value is clearly higher than the ungraded value plus the total cost from the calculator below. Most modern cards are only worth grading if they could get a 9 or 10.
Look up a card's value →Inspect centering, corners, edges and surface
Under a bright light, check the borders are even, the corners are sharp, the edges have no whitening and the surface has no scratches, dents or print lines. A loupe and a centering tool make this much easier. Compare what you see with the grading scale.
How to check centering →Clean and handle it safely
Wash and dry your hands, or wear gloves, and hold the card by its edges. Only remove dust and fingerprints with a dry, clean microfibre cloth, wiping gently from the centre outwards. Never use liquids, erasers or anything abrasive: graders can spot altered cards and won't grade them.
Can you clean a card before grading? →Sleeve and protect it
Put each card in a new penny sleeve, then in a semi-rigid holder (Card Saver I size). Every major grader accepts semi-rigid holders, and most prefer them to top loaders. Don't use tape, screw-down cases or team bags around single cards unless the company asks.
Cheapest supplies on eBay →Choose a service level and fill in the order
Each company has an online order form. Pick a service level for each card. Declare each card at what it would sell for in the grade you expect. If the grading company thinks it is worth more, the card is moved to a higher tier and you pay the difference.
Compare the companies →Pack and post it
Stack the holders, wrap the stack in bubble wrap and pack it tightly in a small box so nothing moves. Print the packing slip and put it inside. Send it tracked and insured for the full declared value. Sending abroad? Use the grading company's customs instructions and declare the parcel as cards sent for grading that will be returned. That way you usually only pay import VAT on the grading fee and return shipping when the cards come back, not on the cards' value.
How long does grading take? →Track it and check your grades
Follow your order online. Grades usually appear on your account before the cards are posted back. When the slabs arrive, look up each certification number on the grading company's website to make sure it matches. Then keep the slabs in graded card sleeves and a storage box so they don't get scratched.
How to check a PSA certification number →
Grading supplies: cheapest on eBay now
Penny sleeves
A soft sleeve for every card before it goes in a holder.
CSP Premium Trading Card Sleeves Pack of 100 TCG Sports Soft Clear Penny SleeveSemi-rigid holders (Card Saver I)
The holder most graders ask for. Card Saver I size fits a sleeved card.
MintKeeper - Semi Rigid Card Holders - Card Saver (25 Total) - Factory SealedTop loaders (35pt)
Rigid holders for posting and storing raw cards. Some graders accept them.
TOPLOADER TCG Guru Regular 3"x4" Size Single Standard Cards Magic Pokemon NEWTeam bags
Resealable bags that keep a stack of holders together and dust-free.
Team Bags Resealable Sleeves 100 Bags for Toploader 86x142mm OVP 81130 - NeuCentering tool
A clear overlay that shows how centred the borders are.
The Center Tool * Trading Cards * Trading Cards * Centering Tool * Grading AidJeweller's loupe
Magnifies corners, edges and the surface so you spot flaws before the grader does.
4sizes Triplet Jeweler Eye Loupe Magnifier Magnifying Glass Jewelry Diamond+BoxPadded mailers
Bubble mailers for posting cards. Pack them inside a small box for grading.
Bubble Mailers TCG Sports Trading Cards 4X8 Poly Padded Envelopes 4" x 8" #000Graded card sleeves
Resealable sleeves that stop slabs getting scratched.
Sleeves für PSA Grading Graded Pokemon Card ☆ Schutzhüllen 10 StückGraded card storage box
A box that holds slabs upright and protected.
Storage Case Flip Graded Cards Slab Box Holder for Pokemon Topps Panini CardsSlab display stand
Shows off a graded card on a shelf.
30 Pack Clear Card Stands, Arcylic Card Display for Sports GradedQuestions about card grading
Which card grading company is the cheapest?
Right now the cheapest open tier is CGC Bulk at about €15.19 per card, with a minimum of 25 cards, before shipping. Shipping, insurance and import VAT often add as much again, so use the calculator to compare total costs.
Is it worth getting a card graded?
It is worth it when the card sells for clearly more at the grade you expect than it does ungraded, after the total grading cost. That usually means valuable or vintage cards in excellent condition. How much does grading cost?
How long does card grading take?
Anywhere from a few business days on express tiers to several months on the cheapest bulk tiers, plus shipping both ways. Each company's guide lists its current turnaround. How long does grading take?
Can I submit cards from the UK or Europe?
Yes. CGC has a UK office in London. PSA, Beckett, SGC and TAG grade in the US, so you post your cards there or submit through an authorised dealer or a group submission. Declare the parcel as cards sent for grading to be returned, so you only pay import VAT on the grading fee and return shipping.
What do I need to send cards for grading?
A penny sleeve and a semi-rigid holder (Card Saver I size) for each card, bubble wrap, a small sturdy box and tracked, insured postage. See the cheapest supplies on eBay.