Frequently Asked Questions

Global Card Grading is a professional card authentication and grading service. We evaluate trading cards for authenticity, condition, and assign a numerical grade that reflects the card's quality. Each graded card is sealed in a tamper-evident protective case with our certification.

We grade sports cards (basketball, baseball, football, hockey, soccer), Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering, and other trading cards. If you're unsure whether we grade a specific type, contact us before submitting.

• Authentication: Verify your card is genuine
• Protection: Tamper-proof case preserves condition
• Value: Graded cards typically sell for more than raw cards
• Standardization: Objective condition assessment from experts
• Peace of mind: Know exactly what you have

Our pricing is based on service level, NOT card value:

Service	Price	Turnaround
Express	$50/card	5 business days
Standard	$20/card	14 business days
Bulk (10+ cards)	$14/card	21 business days

We believe the work to grade a card is the same whether it's worth $10 or $10,000. Value-based pricing punishes collectors for having valuable cards. Our flat-rate pricing means you always know what you'll pay upfront.

We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers for bulk orders. Payment is collected when you submit your order.

No. The price you see is the price you pay. Return shipping is calculated at checkout based on your location and chosen shipping method.

1. Create an account at globalcardgrading.com
2. Fill out a submission form online
3. Print your packing slip
4. Package your cards securely
5. Ship to our facility with tracking
6. We'll notify you when received and when complete

• Place each card in a penny sleeve
• Insert into a top loader or card saver
• Secure top loaders with rubber bands or tape (not on the card)
• Use a sturdy box with padding
• Include your printed packing slip

No, top loaders are fine. Just ensure cards are protected and won't shift during shipping.

Yes, please submit cards in penny sleeves and top loaders only. We'll return any magnetic holders separately.

Use any carrier with tracking. We recommend USPS Priority Mail with insurance for submissions under $5,000 declared value, and UPS/FedEx with full insurance for higher values.

1. Intake: Cards received, logged, and photographed
2. Authentication: Verified genuine, not altered/trimmed
3. Assessment: AI-assisted analysis of centering, surfaces, corners, and edges
4. Expert Review: Human graders confirm and finalize grades
5. Encapsulation: Cards sealed in protective cases with labels
6. Quality Check: Final inspection before shipping

We use computer vision technology to precisely measure centering (to 0.1% accuracy) and detect surface anomalies. This assists our expert graders in making consistent, objective assessments. Final grades are always confirmed by human experts.

Grade	Condition
10	Gem Mint
9.5	Mint+
9	Mint
8.5	NM-MT+
8	Near Mint-Mint
7	Near Mint
6	Excellent-Mint
5	Excellent
4	Very Good-Excellent
3	Very Good
2	Good
1	Poor

Yes. You can set a minimum acceptable grade on your submission. Cards that don't meet your minimum will be returned ungraded (grading fee still applies for the work performed).

Contact us within 30 days of receiving your cards. We offer a re-review process for a nominal fee. If the grade changes, the re-review fee is refunded.

• Express: 5 business days after receipt
• Standard: 14 business days after receipt
• Bulk: 21 business days after receipt

Turnaround begins when your submission is checked in, not when shipped.

Yes! Log into your account dashboard to see real-time status updates from receipt to shipping.

Our cases feature:

• Crystal-clear optical-grade plastic
• Tamper-evident seal
• UV protection
• Professional label with card info and grade
• Unique certification number
• QR code for verification

Yes. Enter the certification number or scan the QR code on our Verify page to confirm authenticity and view the card's details.

Cards are shipped in sturdy boxes with appropriate padding. We offer USPS, UPS, and FedEx options at checkout. Insurance is recommended and available.

Yes! We accept submissions from and ship to most countries. International shipping costs vary by destination.

We photograph all cards upon receipt. If damage occurs during return shipping, insurance claims can be filed with the carrier. We recommend always purchasing shipping insurance.

Click Sign Up on our website and follow the prompts. You'll need an email address to receive updates on your submissions.

• Email: info@globalcardgrading.com
• Contact form on our website
• Response within 1 business day

Yes! Contact us for volume pricing on 100+ cards per month.

Feature	GCG	PSA	BGS	CGC
Value-based pricing	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
AI-assisted grading	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
Standard turnaround	14 days	65+ days	30+ days	25+ days
Subgrades	Coming soon	❌ No	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

As a newer company, we're building recognition. Our cases clearly display the grade and authentication, and our verification system provides buyer confidence. Many collectors appreciate our fair pricing model.