Card Grading FAQ
Answers to the questions we hear most about submitting sports cards and TCG cards for grading — from insurance coverage to how Manual and Quick Submission compare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What card categories does VCG grade?
Both sports cards and trading card games (TCG), evaluated on the same 1–10 scale using category-specific standards. See the Grading Scale & Standards page.
Do you grade Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and other TCG cards?
Yes. VCG grades trading card games (TCG) — including Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and other TCG brands — alongside sports cards, all evaluated on our shared 1–10 scale with category-specific standards. 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 art-matched label adds $2 per card. See the full breakdown on Services & Pricing.
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 (3 business days). Choosing Quick Submission instead of Manual Submission can add extra days, since 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. VCG's current submission process doesn't require creating an account or logging in — fill out the order form, ship your cards, and track your submission by 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 style, custom-matched to complement your card's artwork. The standard label is free; the art-matched label is an additional $2 per card. You choose which one you want on the order form.
How does insurance/coverage work on my submission?
Every submission is automatically covered up to a baseline of $100 total at no extra cost. If your cards are worth more than that combined, you can declare additional value on the order form for extra coverage at an added cost. This baseline figure is a placeholder pending VCG's final insurance policy — confirm before relying on it.
What voids a grade?
Cards that are found to be altered, trimmed, recolored, counterfeit, or otherwise materially misrepresented will not receive a standard numeric grade and may be returned with an authenticity note instead. Full policy language is being finalized — check back before relying on this for a real submission.
Can I resubmit a card if I disagree with the grade?
Resubmission policy details (fees, timing, and how many times a card can be resubmitted) are still being finalized. This section will be updated with the real policy before launch.
What if my cards are lost or damaged in transit or in-house?
Inbound shipping loss is generally covered by your carrier's included insurance up to their limit; VCG's own coverage picks up once your cards are in our possession, per the baseline and declared-value coverage described above. Full loss/damage claims process is still being finalized — see Terms of Service once published.
How should I package my cards for shipping?
Sleeve each card, place it in a semi-rigid holder, and pack securely in a bubble mailer or box with a trackable shipping method. Full guidance is on the How It Works page.