CGC Card Grading Guide: Scale, Process and Fees

CGC Card Grading Guide Last Updated: March 2026

CGC card grading has become a major option for collectors submitting trading cards for authentication and encapsulation. Whether you collect sports cards, Pokémon cards, Magic: The Gathering, or other TCGs, understanding the full CGC submission process can help reduce mistakes and improve your grading experience.

This CGC card grading guide walks through the entire process collectors need to understand before submitting cards.

Inside this guide you will learn:

CGC grading standards and scale
Service tiers and pricing structure
Step by step CGC submission process
Preparing cards for CGC grading
Packaging and shipping instructions
What happens after CGC receives your cards
A complete submission checklist
Common mistakes collectors make
Frequently asked questions

If you are preparing your first CGC submission or want a structured process before sending valuable cards, this guide is designed to eliminate uncertainty.

What Is CGC Card Grading?

Certified Guaranty Company, commonly called CGC, is a third party grading company that authenticates and grades trading cards before sealing them inside tamper evident holders.

CGC has built a reputation for grading trading cards across multiple categories including:

Pokémon
Magic: The Gathering
Sports cards
Non sports cards
TCG collectibles

Collectors often choose CGC for:

Strong grading consistency
Transparent grading scale
Advanced grading labels and subgrades
Growing market acceptance

Grading provides authentication and condition assessment, which helps collectors protect value and build trusted collections.

CGC grades a wide range of trading cards including sports cards, trading card games, and other collectible card categories. However, certain items may not be eligible for grading depending on card format, condition, or authenticity concerns. Collectors can review CGC’s official eligibility guidelines and examples of cards they grade and do not grade here:
https://www.cgccards.com/card-grading/cards-we-grade/

After grading is completed, cards are sealed inside CGC holders that display the assigned grade, card details, and certification information. These holders are designed to protect the card while clearly presenting the grading results and certification data. Collectors who want to understand the design and security features of CGC holders and labels can review the official explanation here:
https://www.cgccards.com/card-grading/holder-label/

CGC also provides a grading guarantee that supports the accuracy of its authentication and grading opinions under specific conditions. Collectors can review the full details and eligibility requirements of the CGC guarantee here:
https://www.cgccards.com/card-grading/cgc-guarantee/

CGC Grading Scale and Standards

Understanding the CGC grading scale is critical before submitting cards. CGC grades cards on a 1 to 10 scale, with some intermediate grades depending on condition.

The grading process evaluates four major condition factors:

Centering
Corners
Edges
Surface

Each factor contributes to the overall grade.

CGC 10 – Gem Mint

A nearly flawless card with sharp corners, excellent centering, and a clean surface with no visible defects.

CGC 9.5 – Mint Plus

Extremely high quality card with only minimal imperfections under close inspection.

CGC 9 – Mint

Strong condition overall with slight centering variance or minor surface issues.

CGC 8 – Near Mint Mint

Noticeable but moderate wear such as minor corner softening or light surface marks.

CGC 7 – Near Mint

Visible wear including edge whitening, small scratches, or moderate centering deviation.

CGC 6 and Below

Increasing levels of wear, including surface damage, structural flaws, staining, or major centering issues.

Before submitting cards, collectors should evaluate:

Front and back centering
Edge wear
Corner sharpness
Surface scratches
Print lines
Discoloration

Collectors who want to review the full grading criteria and detailed explanations for each grade can refer to CGC’s official grading documentation here:
https://www.cgccards.com/card-grading/grading-scale/

Always review the official grading scale before submitting cards, as it provides the most accurate definitions of how CGC evaluates centering, corners, edges, and surface condition.

CGC Card Grading Service Levels and Pricing

CGC pricing depends on several factors including:

Declared value
Service tier
Desired turnaround speed

Service tiers may change over time, so collectors should always verify current pricing during the submission process.

Typical CGC grading tiers include:

Service Tier	Max Declared Value	Pricing Structure (Per Card)	Turnaround Speed*
Bulk	$500	$15	40 Business Days
Economy	$1,000	$18	20 Business Days
Standard	$3,000	$55	10 Business Days
Express	$10,000	$100	5 Business Days
Walkthrough	$100,000	$300	2 Business Days
Unlimited Value	Unlimited	$300 + 1% FMV (Fair Market Value)	2 Business Days
Jumbo Card	Unlimited	$20	50 Business Days
TCG, Sports and Non-Sports Coin	Unlimited	$20	50 Business Days

*Turnaround times reflect the estimated number of working days to complete a submission delivered to our facility today. Turnaround times are estimates only and are NOT guaranteed. If a card is not yet in the CGC Cards database, the submission may experience a longer turnaround time because CGC Cards will need to conduct proper research to add the card to its database.

Declared value determines eligibility and potential insurance coverage during the grading process.

CGC provides a detailed breakdown of all current grading service tiers, eligibility requirements, and pricing on their official submission page here:
https://www.cgccards.com/submit/services-fees/cgc-grading/

Collectors should always verify current pricing during submission, as grading tiers and turnaround estimates may change depending on submission volume.

How to Submit Cards to CGC Step by Step

This CGC card grading guide follows the typical submission process collectors use when submitting cards.

1. Create a CGC Account

Visit the CGC website and create a submission account.

Collectors begin by opening a new grading order.

2. Select a Service Tier

Choose a grading service based on:

Declared card value
Desired turnaround time
Submission volume

Selecting the correct tier helps prevent delays or potential upcharges.

3. Enter Card Information

Collectors must input detailed card information including:

Year
Set
Player or character
Card number
Declared value

Accurate information helps the intake process run smoothly.

4. Print Submission Documents

After completing the submission order, collectors receive paperwork that must be included in the shipment.

Typical documentation includes:

Submission order form
Packing slip or confirmation documents

Place these documents inside the shipment so CGC can identify the submission during intake.

Collectors who want to follow CGC’s official submission walkthrough can review the step by step instructions provided by CGC here:
https://www.cgccards.com/submit/how-to-submit/

The process below summarizes the key stages collectors should expect when preparing a CGC submission.

Preparing Cards for CGC Grading

Proper preparation is critical when sending cards to a grading company.

CGC generally requires cards to be submitted in semi rigid holders rather than top loaders.

Cards should be prepared in the following order:

Insert the card into a penny sleeve
Place the sleeved card into a semi rigid holder
Ensure the holder is free from debris
Arrange cards in the exact order of the submission form

Cards should never move loosely inside packaging.

Loose debris or shifting cards can create unnecessary risk during transit.

CGC also provides official guidance on how cards should be packaged and prepared before shipping to their facility.

Collectors can review CGC’s recommended shipping preparation instructions here:
https://www.cgccards.com/services/shipping-cards-to-cgc/

Packaging and Shipping Cards to CGC

Packaging should protect the cards from impact, shifting, and environmental stress during transit.

Internal Protection

Cards stacked in order
Secured with light bands or team bags
Protective layers placed on both sides
Cards placed in a sturdy inner box

Outer Box

The inner box should be placed inside a larger shipping box.

Collectors should:

Fill empty space with packing material
Prevent movement inside the box
Keep cards tightly secured

Shipping Carriers

Collectors commonly use:

USPS
UPS
FedEx

Always confirm the correct CGC submission address before shipping.

Never rely on outdated addresses from previous submissions.

Tracking and insurance should be considered when shipping valuable cards.

What Happens After CGC Receives Your Cards?

Once the package arrives at the CGC facility, several steps take place.

Shipment received and logged
Order scanned into the system
Cards move into grading queue
Grading and encapsulation
Quality control review
Final packaging and return shipment

Dashboard updates may not appear immediately depending on intake volume.

Processing time varies depending on submission tier and demand.

Collectors who want a deeper breakdown of how cards move through the CGC workflow can review CGC’s official grading process overview here:
https://www.cgccards.com/card-grading/grading-process/

Complete CGC Card Grading Submission Checklist

A structured checklist helps collectors avoid common mistakes during submission.

Documentation

CGC account created
Correct service tier selected
Declared value confirmed
Submission form printed

Card Preparation

Card inspected for condition
Penny sleeve applied
Semi rigid holder used
Cards arranged in correct order
No debris inside holder

Packaging

Card stack secured
Protective layers applied
Order form included
Inner box secured
Outer box padded
No internal movement

Shipping

Correct CGC address used
Carrier label attached
Tracking confirmed
Insurance considered

Common CGC Card Grading Submission Mistakes

Even experienced collectors occasionally make submission errors.

Common mistakes include:

Using top loaders instead of semi rigid holders
Submitting cards in the wrong order
Forgetting submission paperwork
Poor packaging protection
Incorrect declared values
Loose card stacks inside shipping boxes

Small errors during submission can create confusion during intake or increase risk during transit.

Why This Matters to Collectors

Grading is often associated with the final slab, but the most vulnerable moment in the grading process happens earlier.

It happens when collectors are preparing their cards for submission.

During this stage collectors are:

Handling cards directly
Inserting them into sleeves and holders
Stacking and packaging submissions
Preparing shipments

Minor mistakes during preparation can introduce surface scratches, edge wear, or corner damage that affects the final grade.

A structured submission process helps reduce unnecessary risk before the cards ever reach the grader.

The Prep and Submit System Collectors Use

Many collectors rely on structured preparation systems to keep submissions organized and protected.

The Graders Choice Submission Kit is designed as an all in one prep and submit system that helps collectors organize the grading process before shipping.

The system includes:

Penny sleeves
Semi rigid holders
Microfiber cloth
Shock absorbing foam protection
Structured packaging components

Instead of collecting random supplies from different sources, collectors can prepare their cards through a consistent step by step submission workflow.

Learn more about the complete prep and submit system here:
https://graderschoice.com/product/card-grading-submission-kit/

Collectors who approach grading with a structured process often reduce avoidable mistakes during submission preparation.

What Collectors Should Do Next

If you are planning your first CGC submission, take time to prepare before shipping.

Focus on three things:

Accurately evaluate card condition
Use proper holders and protective materials
Follow a structured packaging process

Preparation influences protection, and protection helps preserve card value.

Conclusion

CGC has become a major grading option for collectors across sports cards and trading card games.

A successful submission requires attention to detail long before the card reaches the grading table.

Collectors who follow a structured process can reduce avoidable mistakes and ship their cards with confidence.

Preparation matters.

When collectors prep and submit with discipline, they protect the cards that matter most.