How to submit cards to CGC for grading
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. Here's how to prepare and post your cards, what each CGC service level costs, and what your submission will cost in total, in euros or pounds.
Sending cards from the UK or Europe
CGC Cards UK in London takes submissions from the UK and Europe, priced in pounds.
How to submit cards to CGC, 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 CGC's grading scale.
CGC grading scale ↗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
Each card in a penny sleeve, then in a semi-rigid holder (Card Saver I size). Follow the packing steps in CGC's how-to-submit guide.
Cheapest supplies on eBay →Choose a service level and fill in the order
Fill in the online submission form on cgccards.com (or cgccards.uk for the London office), choose a tier for each card, then print the form and pack it with your cards. Mark the box with the tier code if CGC asks (EX for Express, WK for WalkThrough). Declare each card at what it would sell for in the grade you expect. If CGC thinks it is worth more, the card is moved to a higher tier and you pay the difference.
Start a CGC submission ↗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 to the US? 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.
CGC official site ↗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 CGC'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.
CGC certificate lookup ↗
Grading budget calculator
CGC Cards UK (London) fees
| Service level | Price per card | Max. value per card | Turnaround | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BulkMinimum 25 cards | €16.72£14.00 | €478 | 50 business days | Open |
| Economy | €20.30£17.00 | €955 | 50 business days | Open |
| Standard | €53.75£45.00 | €2,986 | 50 business days | Open |
| Express | €95.55£80.00 | €9,555 | 50 business days | Open |
| WalkThrough | €286.64£240.00 | €95,547 | 50 business days | Open |
CGC (United States) fees
| Service level | Price per card | Max. value per card | Turnaround | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BulkMinimum 25 cards | €15.19$17.00 | €447 | 150 business days | Open |
| Economy | €17.87$20.00 | €893 | 90 business days | Open |
| Standard | €49.14$55.00 | €2,680 | 10 business days | Open |
| Express | €89.34$100.00 | €8,934 | 5 business days | Open |
| WalkThrough | €268.02$300.00 | €89,342 | 2 business days | Open |
Supplies for your CGC submission
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 GradedOfficial CGC links
Questions about card grading
How much does CGC grading cost?
The cheapest CGC service level open right now is Bulk at about €15.19 per card (minimum 25 cards), before shipping and import VAT.
How do I submit cards to CGC from the UK or Europe?
CGC Cards UK in London takes submissions from the UK and Europe, priced in pounds. Follow the steps on this page and use CGC's customs instructions when you post.
How should I pack cards for CGC?
Each card in a penny sleeve, then in a semi-rigid holder (Card Saver I size). Follow the packing steps in CGC's how-to-submit guide.
What grading scale does CGC use?
1 to 10 in half grades, with Gem Mint 10 and Pristine 10 at the top. CGC grading scale ↗