Card grading FAQ
Answers to the questions we hear most about sending sports cards and TCG cards in for grading, including insurance coverage and the difference between Manual and Quick Submission.
What card categories does VCG grade?
Sports cards and trading card games (TCG). Both are graded on the same 1-10 scale, with standards specific to each category. See the Grading Scale & Standards page.
Do you accept oversized or thick cards, like jersey or patch cards?
Not yet. Right now we only take standard-thickness cards, up to 35pt. We can't take oversized or thick cards, including jersey and manufactured patch cards, because we don't have a slab for thicker cards in place yet. We're working on adding them before full launch. Until then, please don't send them in, because they'll be returned unprocessed.
Do you grade Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and other TCG cards?
Yes. VCG grades trading card games (TCG) like Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and other TCG brands, along with sports cards. They're all graded on our shared 1-10 scale with standards specific to each category. See Grading Scale & Standards.
How much does it cost to grade a card?
Pricing depends on your service tier: Economy, Standard, Priority, or Express, starting at $10 per card. The optional hand-drawn art-matched label adds $2 per card. See the full breakdown on Services & Pricing.
Do I have to pay anything before my cards are graded?
You pay a shipping and handling fee when you submit. It's based on your card count and address, and it covers a prepaid USPS Priority Mail label that we email you for shipping your cards in. The grading fee is separate, and we only charge it after your cards have been graded.
How long does card grading take?
Turnaround depends on your service tier: Economy (45 business days), Standard (30 business days), Priority (14 business days), or Express (5 business days). Choosing Quick Submission instead of Manual Submission can add a few days, because our team has to identify your cards by hand before grading. See How It Works for the full comparison.
Do I need an account to submit cards?
No. You don't need to create an account or log in. Fill out the order form, ship your cards, and track your submission with the reference number in your confirmation email.
What is the art-matched label, and do I have to pay for it?
It's an optional label designed to match your card's artwork. The standard label is free, and the hand-drawn art-matched label is an extra $2 per card. You pick the one you want on the order form.
How does insurance coverage work on my submission?
Every submission is covered up to a baseline of $100 total at no extra cost. If your cards together are worth more than that, you can declare the additional value on the order form to get extra coverage at an added cost. This baseline figure is a placeholder until VCG's insurance policy is final. Confirm it before relying on it.
How do my graded cards get shipped back to me?
After you pay the grading fee, we ship your graded cards back by USPS Priority Mail with Signature Confirmation, so someone has to sign for the package on delivery. The cost of the return label is quoted and included in your grading payment, so there's no separate charge. You'll get the tracking number by email.
What voids a grade?
If we find a card has been altered, trimmed, or recolored, is counterfeit, or is otherwise materially misrepresented, it won't get a standard numeric grade. We may return it with an authenticity note instead. We're still finalizing the full policy wording, so check back before relying on this for a real submission.
Can I resubmit a card if I disagree with the grade?
We're still finalizing the resubmission policy, including fees, timing, and how many times a card can be resubmitted. We'll update this answer with the real policy before launch.
What if my cards are lost or damaged in transit or while you have them?
Loss on the way to us is generally covered by the carrier's included insurance, up to its limit. VCG's own coverage starts once your cards are in our hands, using the baseline and declared-value coverage described above. We're still finalizing the full process for loss and damage claims. See the Terms of Service once they're published.
How should I package my cards for shipping?
Sleeve each card, put it in a standard 35pt-or-thinner semi-rigid holder or top-loader, and pack it securely in a bubble mailer or box. Use a trackable shipping method. Right now we can't take oversized or thicker cards. There's more detail on the How It Works page.